What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, often referred to as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, refers to a spinal condition whereby a fragment of the disc is pushed out into the spinal cord through a rupture or tear. Because the spinal canal has limited space, a displaced disc fragment presses on spinal nerves, often producing neck pain, back pain and sometimes headaches. Sciatica pain, which is pain and numbness starting at the lower back and radiating down the buttock and leg, is a common symptom of a ruptured disc. Proper nutrition and a healthy weight can minimize the risk of developing a ruptured disc.

Often times, the cause of a ruptured disk is simple wear and tear from the aging process, which is called disc degeneration. With age, your spinal disc loses some of their water content, making them more prone to rupturing and tearing even with minor twists. Other times, using your back muscles rather than your legs to lift heavy objects leads to the condition.

Taylor Family Chiropractic Care

Most people who have a slipped disc don't need surgery. Instead, non-invasive treatments from Dr. Mark Taylor, our Frisco chiropractor, can relieve the neck pain and back pain, which often occur as a result of a ruptured disc. First, Dr. Taylor will take a careful medical history, including a description of your painful areas. Then, he'll conduct orthopedic and neurological testing as part of standard care. X-rays of your lower back will be taken and, if necessary, you may need to get an MRI or other imaging study.

Even though every patient receives individualized treatment, the underlying process of our Frisco center is the same. Non-surgical spinal decompression, gentle alignments and low-force adjustments made by our chiropractor balance your body's structure to promote internal healing of your ruptured disc.

Depending on your source of pain and injury location, you may need several decompression or adjustment treatments. Throughout your care at our clinic for your disc condition, we'll use a variety of neurological and chiropractic tests as a comparison to the initial finding of your disc condition to assess your improvements.

Did you know that excess weight makes the spine and discs more susceptible to herniation?