Have You Injured a Disc in Phoenix AZ?

Our Phoenix AZ chiropractor, Dr. Roxane Zamora, has had years of experience in chiropractic care. Herniated discs are extremely common amongst her patients complaining of neck, back or leg pain. Are your symptoms a sign of a herniated disc?

You may have heard of the term "slipped disc" before, however "slipped" is a bit inaccurate. Vertebral discs--soft gel-filled structures that are sandwiched between the small bones in your spine--do not actually "slip" out of place. Rather, the inner fluid of the disc, called the nucleus, sometimes leaks out through a tear in the tougher, cartilaginous outer layer of the disc, called the annulus.

A somewhat strange way to understand a disc herniation is to imagine a jelly donut. When enough pressure is applied to the jelly donut, some of the jelly will squeeze out. Alternatively, it's possible to squeeze a jelly donut just enough so that the jelly inside will distort and bulge out of place, yet not break through the doughy outer layer. This is analogous to a "bulging disc." The terms bulging disc and herniated disc are often used interchangeably, but again this is not completely accurate.

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HERNIATED DISC SYMPTOMS in Phoenix AZ

When a spinal disc's inner fluid leaks out through its outer layer, as in the case of disc herniation, nearby structures including, ligaments and nerves, can become compressed, irritated, and inflamed. This can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including:

Low back pain that may radiate across the hips and into the buttocks
Pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness in one or both legs
The severity and type of symptoms of a herniated disc can vary significantly. Sometimes a disc herniation causes no symptoms at all. In rare and severe cases, a disc herniation can lead to a medical emergency known as cauda equina syndrome which has symptoms including numbness in the "saddle" area--groin and buttocks--severe low back pain, and sudden onset of sexual dysfunction and/or bowel and bladder incontinence.

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WHAT CAUSES A DISC HERNIATION?

Potential causes of disc herniation include anything which affects the strength, resiliency, and overall health of a vertebral disc, including:

• Misaligned spinal bones
• Injury or trauma
• Poor body mechanics and/or poor posture
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Lack of regular exercise

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CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP WITH DISC HERNIATION?

If you believe you may be experiencing pain and dysfunction related to a disc herniation, it's important to seek help as soon as possible. If left untreated, a herniated disc can lead to degenerative disc disease, so early intervention is key for resolving symptoms and preventing future dysfunction.

Chiropractic care is very effective for healing herniated discs, providing pain relief, and preventing recurring lower back injury. Specific techniques include spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, electrical stimulation, corrective exercises, and lifestyle counseling.

Are You Looking for Pain Relief From Your Lower Back Injury? See Our Chiropractor in Phoenix For Disc Herniation Treatment Today

At Imagine Wellness Chiropractic Centers, our Phoenix chiropractor, Dr. Roxane Zamora believes that every Arizonan deserves a pain-free, optimally healthy life. If you're searching for drug-free, all-natural, non-invasive, and holistic healing that starts from within, then call our chiropractor in Phoenix today to schedule your FREE initial consultation.

If you're suffering from a disc injury in call our team at Imagine Wellness Chiropractic Center today. We are here to help.