One of the back conditions that patients routinely visit Austin chiropractor for is a herniated disc. This type of injury generally responds well to chiropractic treatment, so it's wise to schedule an appointment in the early stages. Herniated disc treatment can help patients avoid prescription pain medications and any side effects that come along with them.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc refers to a situation where the outer portion of one of your vertebral discs has been torn. This allows the inner portion of the disc, or nucleus, to protrude through the fibrous exterior. Herniated discs are sometimes called ruptured discs or slipped discs. The herniated portion of the disc can end up compressing nerves that surround the disc.

Common Causes

A herniated disc is usually a degenerative condition brought on by the wear and tear of normal aging. Over time, your discs lose moisture content and become less flexible, making them prone to tears and ruptures without a whole lot of stress being placed on them. Some factors that may increase your risk of suffering a herniated disc include being overweight, having a physically demanding job, improper lifting and even genetics.

Common Herniated Disc Symptoms

Many people that have a herniated disc don't end up experiencing any sort of symptoms, but the ones that do can feel intense pain. If your herniated disc is in your lower back, you'll be more likely to feel pain in your buttocks, hips, thighs and calves. If the problem is in your cervical vertebrae, you're more likely to feel pain in your shoulders and arms. Numbness, tingling and general weakness are also symptoms of a herniated disc. Typically, the muscles and body parts that are served by the affected nerves will experience these symptoms.

When to See a Chiropractor

If a conventional doctor has diagnosed you with a herniated disc, then make an appointment with a Austin chiropractor as soon as possible. Many patients show up at a chiropractor's office with symptoms, but no diagnosis. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, or any back pain that's been undiagnosed, a chiropractor can assess the issue and formulate an effective treatment plan. Since a herniated disc is usually found in the lumbar region or cervical region, and includes tingling and numbness along with the pain, you'll be able to give your chiropractor a head start if you pay attention to your symptoms and communicate them clearly.

At Applied Chiropractic our team is here to help answer your questions.  Please feel free to contact us today.