How a Chiropractor Can Treat Your Herniated Disc

The spinal cord is made up of a series of vertically stacked bones called vertebrae. In-between these stacked bones are disc-shaped material that serve as cushions. They serve as shock absorbers, taking in the different impacts produced from your body movement during daily activities. Our chiropractor near Mt. Sinai, Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos, can provide optimal chiropractic care and treat your herniated disc.

These “shock absorbers” are composed of two parts: the soft gelatinous inner portion, the nucleus pulposus, and the tough outer ring, the annulus. Injury to the spinal cord can cause this inner delicate portion to protrude through the outer ring, which is known as a herniated or prolapsed disc.

Signs of this condition include leg pain; burning or numbness down the back of the thigh; intense pain that comes with prolonged sitting; and pains when bending forward or twisting.

What Causes a Herniated Disc?

Herniated discs can be caused by a number of factors, some of which include:

• Wear and tear on the spine – the effects of our daily activities and movements on our spinal cord result in wear and tear of the discs. The amount of stress these discs are subjected to can cause the annulus fibrous (tough outer layer of the disc) to weaken and give way to the internal delicate nucleus pulposus to push through, creating a herniated disc.

• Injury – injuries can cause a herniated disc. A herniated disc in a patient could result from car accidents, probably as a result from the sudden and sharp jerk the car makes. This could put so much pressure and stress on the disc, causing it to herniate. Lifting heavy objects incorrectly or bending and twisting awkwardly could cause this condition

• Combination of spinal degeneration and injury – spinal degeneration is caused as a result of wear and tear, which are compounded over several years, making the disc more prone to herniation. This already-weakened disc will therefore herniate from an event that doesn’t seem like a very traumatic incident. There have been reported cases of herniated discs as a result of sudden sneezing.

Chiropractic Care for a Herniated Disc

With Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos, a chiropractor near Mt. Sinai, she will make use of a form of nonsurgical treatment for herniated disc patients. We have special techniques to restore full function to a damaged disc. Any of the following medical techniques can be used to treat herniated disc by our chiropractor.

• Flexion-distraction Technique for Herniated Discs – flexion-distraction technique is a common technique used by Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos to correct a herniated disc. This technique involves the use of specialized table, which gently stretches the spine while the chiropractor isolates the damaged disc. Using a pumping rhythm, the chiropractor gently flexes this damaged disc. This form of chiropractic care for a damaged disc is usually associated with minimal pain. This technique’s gentle pumping of the damaged area allows the soft inner part of the disc to assume its original central position. Flexion-distraction technique may also improve the disc’s height.

• Pelvic Blocking Techniques for Herniated Discs – this technique involves the use of cushioned wedges, which are placed under each side of the pelvis. This will help relieve the nerves that have been trapped or pressed down under the damaged disc. These trapped nerves normally cause great pain and discomfort in herniated disc patients.

Dr. Sophia Argeropoulos has helped her clients for years, and if you’re suffering from a herniated disc, our chiropractor near Mt. Sinai can get you recovered immediately. If you’re interested in making an appointment, contact us today!