The bones of the spine are separated by cartilage pads called intervertebral discs. Its main function is acting as a cushion and allowing slight movement of the vertebrae.
Healthy discs are thick and flexible allowing a wide range of bending and twisting motions. An unhealthy disc is stiff and hard and prone to injuries such as bulging or herniation or a tear. Disc damage can occur anywhere in the spine. However, the discs of the neck and low back are the most commonly injured. The “jelly center” of the disc can also dry out over time which is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease. All forms of disc injury can eventually impinge on the nerves exiting the spine which can create numbness, tingling, burning or sharp pain down the arms or legs.
Sharp pain originating from the back and “shooting” down the legs is often referred to as Sciatica.
Symptoms of Herniated Disc are usually:
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Tingling or numbness
- Decreased patellar / Aquilianos reflexes (knee and Achilles tendon)
The chiropractic adjustment relieves pressure on pinched nerves and corrects the curvature of the spine, relieving pain and preventing disc degeneration going worse. The goal is to not only relieve pain but also avoid aggressive surgery. If surgery has already occurred, is very beneficial to receive chiropractic treatment to prevent further degeneration of adjacent discs.