The discs that exist within your spine are fragile, spongy pads that are approximately one inch in diameter and one-quarter inch thick. Spinal discs are made up of tough outer membranes with elastic center portions. The primary responsibilities of your discs are to absorb the shock of your movement and maintain the integrity of the spine’s position.
As you grow older, the fluid within each disc starts to solidify and hardens by the time you reach your 40s. At this point, the composition of your discs resembles a hard piece of rubber, which is why adults are vulnerable to injury and degeneration. If you experience some disc condition, contact our Jonesboro Chiropractors to schedule a complete examination.
Define Disc Herniation
Discs are positioned between the vertebrae and are maintained by ligaments that pull the spinal bones and muscles together. The opportunity for a disc to “slip” is small, although “bulging” or herniated discs develop when gel or fluid seeps out through a crack in the exterior. The fluid then compresses surrounding nerves and causes sharp pain, tingling sensations, and weakness in one or both legs/arms.
Although these symptoms are common among patients who experience a bulging or herniated disc, it is possible to sustain such conditions without exhibiting any sign. Because of this, it is highly recommended to have a Jonesboro Chiropractor evaluate your condition on a regular basis.
Two Kinds of Herniated Discs
Two particular types of herniated discs are treated by the Chiropractors at AICA Jonesboro, protrusions and prolapses. A protrusion happens when a disc bulges and its shape is distorted. A prolapsed disc is one that extends so far that it splits off from the rest of the body. When this happens, the disc is pressed against the spinal cord, placing significant tension on the surrounding nerves. Prolapsed discs tend to cause intense pain that has the potential to impair your ability to perform basic tasks like walking.
Other common symptoms associated with spinal disc conditions include:
- Tenderness or stiffness of spine
- Leg, buttock, foot pain
- Shoulder, neck or arm pain with certain movements
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in body parts served by affected nerves
Jonesboro Chiropractic Treatment For Spinal Disc Conditions
Chiropractic Treatment serves as a healthy, useful alternative to traditional medicine when it comes to addressing disc conditions. By following through with a complete examination, our Chiropractors can determine the source of your pain and develop a custom treatment plan that aligns with your specific needs.
Depending on the circumstances, your Jonesboro Chiropractor may use an imaging device like an MRI to create a comprehensive view of your condition – giving them more information to base your treatment plan off of. Most patients who suffer from a herniated or slipped disc are treated with manual adjustments and a combination of therapeutic techniques.
Contact or call AICA Jonesboro at (404) 602-0387 to learn more about our approach to treating disc conditions, as well as to schedule an appointment for immediate relief.