An Effective, Non-Invasive Solution to Herniated Discs and Disc Issues

One-third of adults over 20 show signs of herniated discs (although only 3%of these discs cause symptoms). – New York Times Saturday December 15, 2012.According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 8 out of 10 people have some type of backache.

Herniated Discs and Disc issues are a legitimate problem today. Modern science has made aslew of surgeries available as a solution for disc herniations with the results being pretty much permanent. However, before deciding on surgery, why not explore a natural, non-invasive solution.

What are discs and why do they herniate? 

Vertebral discs lie between each spinal bone (vertebrae) and serve the purpose of shock absorption, absorbing the impact of the body’s daily activities and keeping the vertebrae above and below it separated. The discs consist of an outer layer (annulus fibrosus) which holds in loose fibers suspended in a mucoprotein gel with the consistency of a liquid jelly (nucleus pulposus).

When vertebrae are aligned properly, pressure is evenly distributed across the disc
and it presents no issues. When you have spinal misalignment, pressure is now
distributed unevenly forcing the disc to protrude and the jelly-like substance
to move outward. The disc can be likened to a jelly doughnut: whereby the
annulus fibrosis is similar to the dough and the nucleus pulposus is the jelly.
If one presses down on the front of the doughnut the jelly moves backwards.
With enough force, the jelly can even be extruded from the doughnut. When the
disc is protruded from its position it puts pressure on surrounding tissues
such as the spinal cord and nerve roots.

Several disc issues can occur based on the amount of pressure the
misaligned vertebrae is causing.

A Bulge -The gel has been pushed out slightly
from the disc and is evenly distributed around the circumference.

Protrusion/Prolapse - The gel has pushed out slightly and asymmetrically in different places.

Extrusion- The gel balloons extensively into the area outside the vertebrae or breaks off from the disc.

Herniation -When the disc ruptures, a portion of the spinal disc pushes outside its normal boundary.

“Slipped Discs” 

A disc cannot “slip” since it is knitted into the vertebrae from above and below. The vertebrae do however slip and cause uneven pressure on the discs. This is often inappropriately called a slipped disc.

A SOLUTION: Non Invasive, Safe & Effective:

Chiropractic treatment has been a much needed
blessing to many sufferers saving them from spinal surgery. Rather than
surgically removing a much needed part of your disc, you can safely and
non-invasively have a chiropractor align the spine. These spinal manipulations
are designed to restore proper alignment of the vertebrae thereby evenly
distributing pressure throughout the discs.  Bulging or Protruded disc
material does not need to be removed by surgery. With proper treatment,
the bulging, protruded or herniated portion can be reduced in size and
eventually reabsorbed into the disc allowing normal function of the disc.

The following studies reveal the effectiveness and safe treatment of disc issues through Chiropractic spinal manipulations.

Since disc protrusions can irritate spinal nerves, one must consider what organs these affected nerves lead to for proper function. A revealing study by Dr. James E
Browning, DC in Sheboygan Wisconsin revealed that pelvic pain and abdominal
organ dysfunction can be caused by lumbar or sacral nerve root compression or
irritation. (Browning JF. The mechanically induced pelvic pain and organic
dysfunction syndrome: an often overlooked cause of bladder, bowel,
gynecological, and sexual dysfunction. J of the Neuromusculoskeletal System.
1996;4:52-66) 

A valuable study was conducted over a prolonged period at the Department of
Orthopedic Surgery, Shanghai Second Medical College, and Chief Surgeon,
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rui Jin Hospital, Shanghai,China. From 1975
through 1983, a total of 517 patients with protruded lumbar discs from L3 – S1
were admitted for manipulative treatment. In all, 434 of 517 (83.9%) cases
responded well to spinal manipulation. These results indicate that most lumbar disc protrusions could be effectively treated by spinal manipulation or chiropractic treatment.  (Pang-Fu Kuo P, Loh Z. Treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusions by manipulation. Clinical Orthopedics and
Related Research. 1987;215:47-55.)

Another well-proven study by Dr. Ben Eliyahu DJ conducted a study of 27 patients 
with disc herniations taking an MRI before starting chiropractic treatment. All
patients were re-evaluated by postcare follow-up MRI scans and clinical
examinations were conducted. 80% of the patients studied had good clinical
outcomes and63% revealed a reduced size or completely reabsorbed disc herniation. 78% of the patients were able to return to work in their pre-disability occupations! This study demonstrates the safe and significant role chiropractic treatment can have managing disc
herniation. (Ben Eliyahu DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and
clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for
cervical and lumbar disc herniations. JMPT. 1996;19(19).)

 IS IT SAFE?

 Can Chiropractic further injure a herniated disc? A study was conducted in 2004,
with the objective of providing a qualitative systematic review of the risk of
spinal manipulation in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations and to estimate
the risk of spinal manipulation causing a severe adverse reaction in a patient
presenting with lumbar disc herniation. The Results? An estimate of the risk of
spinal manipulation causing a clinically worsened disc herniation in a patient
presenting with lumbar disc herniation is calculated from published data to be less than 1 in 3.7 million!  In conclusion, the obvious safety of
spinal manipulation, especially when compared with other "medically
accepted" treatments, should encourage the use of chiropractic care as a conservativetreatment plan for lumbar disc herniation.(J Manipulative
Physiol Ther. 2004 Mar-Apr;27(3):197-210.)