Do you suffer from a herniated disc?
The intervertebral disc is a cartilage cushion that connects each of the mobile vertebrae to each other. The discs have three main functions: to allow movement of the spine, to absorb shocks and impacts, and to provide the peripheral nerves with enough space to emerge from the spine. The disk consists of two parts: the inner gelatinous core, which is surrounded by the fibrous ring, consisting of several outer layers of cartilage. A disc can not “move” or “slide”: it becomes thinner, bombs or breaks. A disc protrusion is a thrust of the nucleus in the weakest fibers of the fibrous ring. This bulge can affect the canal where the nervous system is located. ADisc herniation occurs when the gelatinous core completely traverses the fibers of the fibrous ring . The latter are then broken and fragments of the nucleus can be released into the canal containing the nervous system. The disc loses its shock absorption function and the movements are very painful.
The chiropractic approach for herniated disc
The chiropractic approach aims to eliminate the risk of damage to the disc . Abnormal normal movement and / or ideal alignment of certain vertebrae, called vertebral subluxations, cause stress on the disc fibers. Chiropractic care aims to increase the mobility and alignment of vertebrae and to rehabilitate the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems. Chiropractic adjustments help prevent the appearance of disc lesions and affect the control of pain. The chiropractor is able to relieve the intense symptoms due to herniated disc. In most cases, it is possible to avoid surgery. Consult your chiropractor.
Mechanism of injury and risk factors
The disc is more likely to be injured in rotation or flexion: these movements can cause tears at the circumference of the fibrous ring disc. Weaknesses in the wall of the disc are then present, which is conducive to hernia.
Short-term and long-term consequences
A herniated disc causes severe and acute pain as well as significant muscle spasms . The pain can also spread to another part of the body, which corresponds to the nerve touched by the bulging of the disc. In the long term, there is a weakness and a decrease in the tone of the muscles connected to the nerve affected by the hernia.
Source: ACQ – Association of Chiropractors of Quebec – ACQ
