Herniated discs are painful and, if left untreated, potentially debilitating. Unfortunately, they are fairly common and can even be caused by a sneeze! Luckily, there are effective chiropractic care treatments available to remedy the condition. Serving the Birmingham, AL, community, leading chiropractor’s office Walch Chiropractic Center PC is here to shed light on this serious spinal issue.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Most of the vertebrae in the spine have cushioning material called discs in between them to absorb shock and provide flexibility. However, due to long-term pressure or sudden injury, the discs can push outward, putting pressure on a surrounding nerve. This can cause extreme discomfort and may even result in shooting pain radiating down your leg or arm.  

What Chiropractic Care Techniques Can Relieve the Symptoms?

Decompression Traction

Decompression traction is a useful nonsurgical therapy that uses a traction table or motorized device to gently stretch the spine. In doing so, it allows the disc to assume its correct position. Many patients report feeling relaxed and pain-free during and after the treatment.

Therapeutic Exercises

Based on your condition, your chiropractor may recommend a series of therapeutic exercises you can perform to alleviate the discomfort. You may be instructed to perform the exercises in the office and at home. Additional lifestyle adjustments might be recommended, such as avoiding certain types of physical activity, to prevent the issue from compounding until you are fully healed.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation, as its name suggests, is a technique used by chiropractors to adjust the vertebrae and ease symptoms associated with a herniated disc. By manually making adjustments to the back as needed, chiropractors can address specific issues contributing to the discomfort.

If you have a herniated disc, the team from Walch Chiropractic Center PC will carefully assess the condition before developing a tailored treatment plan. Dr. Alan C. Walch has more than 25 years of experience helping patients in the Birmingham area and will provide the relief you need. To set up an appointment, call (205) 699-4433 or visit their chiropractic care facility online.