Spinal disc issues are more common than you’d think. About 5-20 adults are diagnosed daily with some spinal disc issues. One of the main things we focus on treating at our Ogden chiropractic office is “slipped discs or bulging discs.” Our office utilizes tools like the DRX-9000 to provide our patients with the most modern and advanced spinal treatment options.
Case Study: L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Issues Let’s dissect the case presented: L4-5 exhibits a diffuse disc bulge without spinal canal stenosis but with mild bilateral neuroforaminal stenosis. L5-S1, on the other hand, showcases a more complex scenario with a large left paracentral disc herniation extending 17 mm into the thecal sac, moderate to severe spinal canal stenosis, and mass effect on the left descending nerve roots. Additionally, there are mild to moderate right and moderate to severe left neuroforaminal stenosis.
Common Terms Related to Spinal Health
- Disc bulge: The disc’s outer layer protrudes, potentially pressing on surrounding nerves.
- Disc herniation: The inner gel-like material of the disc leaks out, often causing compression on nearby nerves.
- Spinal canal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
- Neuroforaminal stenosis is the narrowing of the openings where spinal nerves exit the spinal column, which can result in nerve compression.
Chiropractic Care for Disc Issues
Now, the pivotal question: “Can chiropractic care assist in alleviating these issues?” While chiropractic treatments do not directly “open up” discs, they can significantly manage symptoms and improve overall spinal health.
- Spinal Alignment: One of the first things we focused on was spinal alignment. We use gentle and targeted adjustments to restore proper alignment. By realigning the spine, we can alleviate pressure on the nerves and discs that have been impacted, significantly reducing pain and restoring mobility.
- Spinal Decompression Therapy: We use the DRX-9000 to provide effective spinal decompression. This modern machine is a miracle worker for a lot of patients suffering from painful slipped discs. It specifically targets the problematic discs by gently stretching them and reducing pressure. Within 2 weeks of treatment, 40% of patients report improvement in their symptoms. For our patient, in particular, we found the DRX-9000 to bring pain relief quickly, and within a few weeks, it drastically reduced pain.
- Rehabilitation Exercises: Another key element in addressing disc issues is providing patients with at-home exercises and stretches. We create a targeted exercise regimen to help strengthen the muscles that support the spine, thereby improving posture and overall stability. These muscles can help prevent the further progression of disc problems.
- Lifestyle Modifications: For this patient in particular, we focused on adjusting their diet to increase magnesium and address other nutritional deficiencies. Having the correct vitamins and minerals can help keep the spine healthy.
If you are dealing with disc issues, we highly recommend contacting our office to schedule a consultation. While chiropractic care alone cannot reverse the structural changes of the spine, it does offer significant improvements in a non-invasive manner. Our goal is to help prevent surgery and keep our patients healthy.