Herniated Disc

Intervertebral discs are positioned between the vertebrae in the spine. The outside of a disc is made from cartilage, and in the center is a jelly-like soft tissue with high water content. The primary function of the disc is to provide a flexible, movable, nerve-spacing structure that makes up a large part of the spacing requirement for the nerves to pass thru freely. The gelatinous middle allows for proper joint movement. Trauma to the spine can cause the discs to tear, expand, herniate, bulge, become displaced (slipped disc), or even rupture. Poor posture habits and trauma or direct injury to the area is not the only cause, however. As we get older, the discs can begin to weaken and dehydrate if they are not in alignment. These conditions can put pressure on the nerves around the spine and cause pain and other visceral symptoms. Gonstead chiropractic technique recognized that all chiropractic issues begin as disc issues, sometimes ever so slight. The entire focus of this office is to correct the disc to a healthy normal position to free up impinged nerves, allowing the body to function optimally. Surgery may be very risky, expensive, and requires significant recovery time. In many cases, you can experience relief from these conditions through chiropractic. By properly aligning the spine, pressure can be relieved on nerves and on the discs themselves.