Slipped Disc
Slipped Disc
There are varying degrees of how severe the disc herniation may be. There are normally 4 stages described: (1) Disc Protrusion, (2) Disc Prolapse, (3) Disc Extrusion, (4) Disc Sequestration.
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What Causes A Disc Herniation?
There are potentially many varied causes of a disc herniation and for the majority of people it is impossible to find the exact cause. That said, discs are often weakened when they fail to receive the nutrition they need. The consistency of the inside of your discs is a bit like toothpaste! Have you ever experienced it when toothpaste leaks out of the tube, normally because it has been rolled up & a crack develops in the tube? A similar thing can happen in your body. It is impossible to separate the movement of the joints from the movement of the disc. When your joints misalign it can cause the disc to stop moving properly & hence cracks start to develop. These cracks can then cause the toothpaste-like tissue to seep out of the disc and onto the nerves.
Do I Need An MRI?
What Treatment Can Help Disc Herniations?
GP’s will often prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and pain-killers which can help with the pain but do nothing to correct the underlying cause. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce the inflammation of the nerves and reduce the size of the disc bulge. They also help to free up the joints thus normalising the mechanics of the disc.
A technique we use at The Ashford Back & Wellness Centre, called Flexion-Distraction has been shown to be effective in helping people. Flexion-distraction involves the patient lying face down on a special chiropractic bench which has a movable lower section. The chiropractor places one hand on the vertebra above the disc lesion and gently lower the patients’ legs creating a distraction stretch on the damaged area. Often people report that this brings immediate relief. This gentle up and down movement is repeated for a few minutes and is done 2 to 3 times a week for 2 to 4 weeks.
To help find that cause we offer:
- A Private Consultation
- A Thorough Examination including Neurological, Orthopaedic & Blood Pressure Tests
- X-Rays, if necessary
- A Verbal Report of our Findings and thorough explanation of the X-Rays
After which you should know more about your body and the problems you are experiencing than you ever have before. Whether you go ahead with treatment as always is entirely your decision.
TESTIMONIALS
Slipped Disc
There are varying degrees of how severe the disc herniation may be. There are normally 4 stages described: (1) Disc Protrusion, (2) Disc Prolapse, (3) Disc Extrusion, (4) Disc Sequestration.
DO NOT DELETE
What Causes A Disc Herniation?
There are potentially many varied causes of a disc herniation and for the majority of people it is impossible to find the exact cause. That said, discs are often weakened when they fail to receive the nutrition they need. The consistency of the inside of your discs is a bit like toothpaste! Have you ever experienced it when toothpaste leaks out of the tube, normally because it has been rolled up & a crack develops in the tube? A similar thing can happen in your body. It is impossible to separate the movement of the joints from the movement of the disc. When your joints misalign it can cause the disc to stop moving properly & hence cracks start to develop. These cracks can then cause the toothpaste-like tissue to seep out of the disc and onto the nerves.
Do I Need An MRI?
What Treatment Can Help Disc Herniations?
GP’s will often prescribe anti-inflammatory medication and pain-killers which can help with the pain but do nothing to correct the underlying cause. Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to reduce the inflammation of the nerves and reduce the size of the disc bulge. They also help to free up the joints thus normalising the mechanics of the disc.
A technique we use at The Ashford Back & Wellness Centre, called Flexion-Distraction has been shown to be effective in helping people. Flexion-distraction involves the patient lying face down on a special chiropractic bench which has a movable lower section. The chiropractor places one hand on the vertebra above the disc lesion and gently lower the patients’ legs creating a distraction stretch on the damaged area. Often people report that this brings immediate relief. This gentle up and down movement is repeated for a few minutes and is done 2 to 3 times a week for 2 to 4 weeks.
To help find that cause we offer:
- A Private Consultation
- A Thorough Examination including Neurological, Orthopaedic & Blood Pressure Tests
- X-Rays, if necessary
- A Verbal Report of our Findings and thorough explanation of the X-Rays
After which you should know more about your body and the problems you are experiencing than you ever have before. Whether you go ahead with treatment as always is entirely your decision.
TESTIMONIALS
How We Can Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to our most commonly asked questions can be found by clicking on the questions, if you need to ask about something that isn't already covered, click on ask a question below to email us!
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Whats wrong with me?
Accurately identifying the cause of spinal pain or other discomfort almost always requires a thorough consultation and examination. Individuals should not assume their pain stems from the same problem, for example, their neighbour had, and thus what has helped their neighbour will help them. Just as every individual is unique and different from the next, so too are the health conditions they suffer and the treatments they require.
Chiropractors are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries and abnormalities common to the spine, extremities and rest of body. Rest assured that if you are suffering from back or neck problems, extremity problems or other health related ailments Chiropractic could provide you with the effective professional relief you demand. If your condition is out of the Chiropractic scope or would be more appropriately managed by another health care specialist, we will gladly and promptly make the necessary referral.
Can Chiropractic help me?
Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems and not just back and neck ailments. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and it's intimate relationship with the nervous system - the major controller of all bodily functions. By optimising spinal column structure and biomechanics, irritation and stress are removed and health can once again be achieved.
You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided scientific evidence showing Chiropractic care is not only effective in the treatment of back and neck ailments, but can also provide effective relief with children suffering from ear infections, women suffering from dysmenorrhoea (painful menses), and a number of other seemingly "non-spinal" conditions. While it's not prudent to guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to "treat" these conditions, Chiropractic has successfully helped millions of individuals with all sorts of health conditions by positively affecting the nervous system.
Of course, Chiropractors are best known for their success in treating back and neck problems. Through the use of Chiropractic spinal adjustments and other highly specialised Chiropractic techniques, Chiropractors have established themselves as the back and neck injury specialists. Many medical experts are now coming to understand the true effectiveness of Chiropractic care and are recommending major changes in the way our health care system manages many common spinal problems. According to a recent Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned study on low-back pain, “A very good case can be made for making Chiropractors the gatekeepers for management of low-back pain..."
I thought my pain was muscular?
More often than not it is an underlying joint that is causing the problem. A painful joint will trigger a muscle spasm around it, and since a muscle receives it's nerve supply from a branch of the spinal nerve, muscular pain may be part of the problem.
I have Arthritis, can i be adjusted?
There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common, osteoarthritis, often responds extremely well to Chiropractic care. Although Chiropractic certainly is not a cure for arthritis, some individuals find that regular Chiropractic care helps to reduce their pain and stiffness and increase mobility. Osteoarthritis is often treated with anti-inflammatory medication and nothing else. This is a mistake. Using anti-inflammatory medication in the long term has been shown to impair the healing rate of cartilage and can also cause damage to the lining of the stomach and result in fatal stomach bleeds, particularly in the elderly. Fortunately there are better ways to manage osteoarthritis.
Can I prevent Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is not just a problem in older people, younger people can have the disease too. We know from research that abnormally functioning joints can lead to osteoarthritic changes. In fact irreversible changes can occur after only two weeks of complete immobilisation! Chiropractic adjustments can help to restore joint movement and keep your spine from underperforming.
How much will it cost?
Costs vary and generally depend on the number of treatments required to effectively treat your condition. A number of studies have shown that Chiropractic care is extremely cost effective when compared to other "medical" forms of care for similar conditions. According to the 1993 Manga Report, ”There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to Chiropractors. Users of Chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only."
Are Chiropractic treatments safe?
Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for individuals of all ages - from infants to 100 year olds. Our treatments are safe because we only use natural and non-invasive methods of care. Research consistently shows that care from Chiropractors is among the safest care available and is literally light years ahead of traditional medical care in terms of "safeness". Chiropractic care is "...remarkably safe", in the words of the New Zealand government's inquiry. It is safer than back surgery, muscle relaxants, and even aspirin. All ages from babies to the elderly enjoy safe, effective care around the world.
The treatments themselves are generally not painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief immediately afterwards. Individuals who present with moderate to severe pain may experience some minor discomfort for obvious reasons; however, care is always gentle, safe and non-invasive.
Do I need a referral?
No. A Doctor of Chiropractic is a primary contact provider, meaning you do not need a referral. Doctors of Chiropractic are regulated by law, and provide a package of care that can work independently, or alongside treatment prescribed by NHS medical doctors and other health care professionals. If yours is not a Chiropractic case, a responsible Chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.
My Dr. says it won't work for me?
We have seen literally thousands of peoples’ lives change for the better after receiving Chiropractic care. Many of these were told that they would never be able to do anything about their pain. We can’t guarantee results but Chiropractic care shou
Will I be sore afterwards?
The overall goal is to optimise your spinal alignment and weight bearing curve and associated joint function and overall optimal nervous system health - not just pain relief. Most people experience some relief of symptoms in the first few weeks and some in even a shorter period of time. However a good Chiropractor will tell you in advance that some post-adjustment soreness is normal, especially at first. In regards to post-adjustment soreness, it is common for Chiropractic adjustments, and soft tissue work to result in a temporary increase in soreness in the treatment area(s). This is nearly always a temporary symptom that occurs while your body is undergoing therapeutic change.
Is the 'popping' sound bad for me?
No! Did your mother ever warn you that "cracking" your knuckles would give you arthritis? If she did, we're sorry to say that she was wrong! Research has actually shown that individuals who habitually "crack" their knuckles over their lifetime actually lower the incidence of arthritis in their knuckles compared with those who do not. The “cracking” or “popping” sound is simply the release of gas from within the joints. It’s a bit like when you open a fizzy drink - the “fizzing” sound is the release of pressure from the bottle - it’s the same with your body when the pressure is taken off the joints.
Are Chiropractic & Osteopathy the same?
The types of conditions that Osteopaths and Chiropractors treat are very similar. However, the focus of Chiropractic is on the proper functioning of the nervous system. This is because the nervous system controls everything in the body. In fact, Chiropractors don’t claim to ‘treat’ anything, rather they help the body to function at is optimum, by removing nerve interference. Once the nerve interference is removed the body very often responds. Chiropractors are trained to take X-rays, whereas Osteopaths are not. X-rays can be a very useful tool in visualising the spine to reveal any potential contraindication to spinal adjustments (manipulation) and provide a more accurate prognosis.
Chiropractors do not just focus on the spine by using adjustments (manipulation) alone as some think. Rather they also utilise soft tissue therapy, therapeutic stretches, rehabilitation, mobilisation and therapeutic modalities.