Common Spinal Disc Problems Can Be Treated Drug Free

Today we’re going to discuss common spinal disc problems, but before getting started, please realize that you don’t have to live with spinal disc pain. TexStar Chiropractic (providing chiropractic care in southwest Austin, Buda, Bee Cave, and in Dripping Springs) offers a non-surgical and drug-free path to back pain relief. Countless people, just like you, now enjoy a quality of life they never thought possible via chiropractic care. So, let’s get to the basics of spinal disc problems.

There are a handful of common low back and disc injuries: bulged disc, herniated disc, spinal stenosis, and sciatica. Often, these diagnoses are paired with severe pain that affects every area of life: social, work, sleeep, emotional, family, etc. Most adults will suffer with some sort of back pain or injury in their life. Unfortunately, if left untreated, an injury can lead to chronic symptoms that typically only get worse.

Let’s look at how the two disc injuries they differ:

Spinal disc bulging is one of the most common causes of back pain. Disc bulging is when the jelly inner part of the disc (Nucleus Pulposus) is pushing out, but is still within the exterior (Annulus Fibrosus). So, the inner part is still within the disc, but it’s pressing out. This can be pressing into a nerve which causes pain.

Disc herniation is when the inner jelly-like part of the disc tears through the fibrous outer part of the disc. This can also be pressing on a nerve. The inner part can come out a little bit, or a lot, and there is a big difference in how a patient feels and how they will be treated.

Both a bulged disc and herniated disc can heal but they take time. Surgery is not always necessary and we feel strongly you should avoid unnecessary surgery when possible.

How do you know if you have a disc problem?

Our team of Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to diagnose disc problems via a combination of consultations and multiple physical tests. Sometimes, but not always, depending on the extent of the problem, the severity and location of the disc issue, they will need an MRI evaluation.

Back pains do not automatically mean that a patient has a disc problem. There was a study conducted wherein they took people with no back problems, gave them an MRI, and 15 percent came out as having disc problems even if they were not experiencing pain. Contact TexStar Chiropractic if you are suspecting of a disc problem that is causing your back pain. We’re here to help.