Chiropractic for Herniated or Bulging Discs

If you’re experiencing back or neck pain, you may have a herniated or bulging disc. Though these two conditions are not the same (see below for differences), both cause pain and decrease your mobility. Another similarity: both herniated discs and bulging discs can be managed through expert chiropractic care.

At Kennedy Chiropractic, Dr. Corinne Kennedy helps people in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee, Brookfield, and surrounding communities manage pain associated with herniated or bulging discs. Read on to learn more about these conditions and how chiropractic care can help you feel better.

First, what are herniated discs? What are bulging discs? What’s the difference? 

Your spine is a stacked series of bones, called vertebrae, and rubber-like discs. These discs cushion the vertebrae when you move, twist, and jump, and are made up of a soft interior surrounded by a more solid elastic band.

A herniated disc is a disc that has a tear or hole in this outer elastic band, allowing the soft interior to leak out. Herniated discs can be caused by a traumatic accident to the spine, repetitive motions, obesity, or even genetics, and normally impact only one disc in the spine.

In contrast, a bulging disc is a disc that has not torn, but bulges out from its place between vertebrae. Bulging discs tend to have a slow onset, developing over time as the bones of the spine become weaker or as a result of years of poor posture or a work environment that is tough on the back. As a degenerative condition, bulging often happens with more than one disc and can have serious, long-term consequences — like lumbar stenosis, or thinning of the spinal column — if not properly addressed.

How chiropractic can help.

Chiropractic care is the preferred method of treatment for many people experiencing herniated or bulging discs. As opposed to traditional medical solutions, chiropractic is non-invasive and often allows individuals to avoid taking medication to treat these issues.

The first step to chiropractic treatment of herniated or bulging discs is a correct diagnosis. Your chiropractor may order x-rays or an MRI scan to confirm the condition and verify the exact disc or discs affected. They will speak with you to learn about your medical history, symptoms, lifestyle and health, and what treatments you have already tried and how those went for you. They may also take you through some tests to determine your level of flexibility, mobility, function, and reflexes.

When it comes to creating a treatment plan, a chiropractor like Dr. Corinne Kennedy of Kennedy Chiropractic in Wauwatosa will take a holistic approach. This means she treats not only the symptoms and condition presented, but crafts a treatment plan based on your overall health and wellness, looking at your whole spine and how your spinal health impacts your lifestyle. She will make recommendations for chiropractic treatment of the entire spine, as well as advice on movement, nutrition, and other building blocks of good health to manage your pain, increase your mobility, and help you feel good again.

Chiropractic strategies to treat herniated or bulging discs include adjustments to the sections of the spine around the impacted discs. The goal of these adjustments is to open the joints and remove pressure so the disc can realign with the rest of the spine. Adjustments to ensure proper spinal alignment along the entire spinal column is another strategy, as misalignment in any location on the spine can lead to disc issues.

Chiropractic care for herniated or bulging discs is a safe and effective treatment option and can help you regain your health and live a pain free life. To learn more about how Wauwatosa chiropractor Dr. Corinne Kennedy can help treat your back pain or neck pain, call the offices of Kennedy Chiropractic today.