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Chiropractic for Herniated Discs
Using Chiropractic for Herniated DiscsChiropractors consider the body to be a roadmap of nerve pathways leading to and from the spine. The spine is the neurological super highway which transmits all the motor, sensory and autonomic functions to and from the brain. Chiropractors believe that the spinal bones must be in perfect alignment in order to enjoy optimal nerve function, and therefore health, throughout the body. Vertebrae are the bones which make up the spine and are subject to individual movement. When a vertebra is out of place, it is said to be subluxated. Vertebral subluxations are the focus of most chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors will do a manual spinal exam to check for subluxations and then treat affected areas using specialized techniques called spinal adjustments.Effectiveness of Chiropractic for Herniated DiscsWhile chiropractic theory might be correct in many ways and manual adjustments may be very useful for a wide range of painful conditions, chiropractic typically will not resolve a herniated disc condition. Occasionally, a chiropractic patient will experience a reduction in the severity of a herniation from regular adjustments. This is especially true if the chiropractor is trained in manual decompression methods, such as Cox Technic. Chiropractic will sometimes provide relief to disc pain patients, but will not usually change the structural implications of a herniated disc. Chiropractic is even less effective at dealing with degenerative disc disease. It is very important to once again mention that many patients who are diagnosed with herniated and degenerated discs are actually suffering from a completely different type of pain, often ischemic. In these cases, chiropractic acts as a placebo therapy, just like any other physical treatment modality would…Advice on Chiropractic for Herniated DiscsAlthough I do not agree with many of the high pressure long term sales tactics used by some chiropractors, I am still a fan of this wonderful curative art. Chiropractic offers excellent results for treating certain types of back pain. It is especially effective for treating sudden minor injuries due to some form of trauma. I count many chiropractors among my friends and feel lucky to be able to rely on their considerable knowledge and healing skills.That being said, I do not endorse the long term use of chiropractic for herniated disc patients. Many care providers will tell you that you must have adjustments for the rest of your life or something horrible will happen to your back. Of course, the wording is slightly more subtle, but the message is loud and clear… I say, "Don’t believe the hype." Go when you need it, don’t bother when you don’t. I used chiropractic as my primary herniated disc treatment for 18 years. I have been treated by dozens of chiropractors all around the world. I never left home without at least one on call. Looking back, I realize that I had an extreme psychological dependency on chiropractic adjustments, but they actually never made a bit of difference in solving my back pain agony. I got adjustments and I hurt. I did not get adjustments and I hurt. I just hurt all the time… Luckily for me, I discovered the reason why my back pain lasted despite numerous attempts at treatment. There is nothing better than a cure… 7/20/08 Revised 12/5/09
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