Can chiropractors help disc problems? In most cases, absolutely yes!

Jul 31 2008

What do discs do?

The twenty-four moveable bones of the spine are each separated by the discs. This allows for one bone to move on the other as well as creating a gap for the spinal nerves to exit from the spine.

The discs absorb 90 per cent of the weight that goes through the spine and provide a degree of shock absorption.

The remaining 10 per cent of the weight rests on the small joints at the back of the spine called facets.

What are discs made of?

Discs are composed of an inner jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus that is surrounded by a tough outer fibrous ring called the annulus fibrosis.

What happens when a disc becomes injured?

When a disc becomes injured, it typically involves a tear in the outer annulus that allows the nucleus to bulge out.

When the nucleus breaks right through the annulus it is called a disc herniation or disc prolapse.

These injuries happen most commonly at the base of the spine and less commonly at the base of the neck. Symptoms of a herniated disc may include dull or sharp pain, muscle spasm or cramping, weakness, tingling, or referred pain.

Referred pain means that you have pain in another part of your body as a result of the disc problem.

For example, if you have a bulging disc or a herniated disc in your low back (lumbar spine), you may have referred pain in your leg.

This is known as sciatica - a shooting pain that can extend from the buttock into the leg and sometimes into the foot.

If you have a herniated disc in your neck (cervical spine), you may have referred pain down your arm and into your hand. Leg and arm pain caused by a herniated disc is also called radiculopathy.

It's very rare, but herniated discs can cause a compression known as cauda eqina syndrome in which there is a loss of bowel or bladder control. Such a presentation requires urgent medical attention.

How do herniated discs occur?

While a herniated disc may come on all of a sudden, it is usually the result of wear and tear over a long period.

For example, a middle-aged accountant who sits for long periods, suffers from disc dehydration, and has poor mechanics from weak abdominals, then lifts a heavy piece of furniture and experiences acute low back and leg pain.

Or perhaps many months after lifting the piece of furniture, he experiences no pain at all until he sneezes. Bingo. A herniated disc.

How do chiropractors tell symptoms are caused by a disc herniation?

A disc injury is often identified by case history and careful physical and neurological examination. Plain film x-rays can visualise disc degeneration, although CT scans and MRI are the best technique to confirm disc herniation.

While some disc injuries may require surgery, a conservative chiropractic approach will be the best approach most times.

Traction, gentle spinal adjustments (often to sites other than the herniated disc) and soft tissue techniques are often used.

A graduated exercise programme and a close look at lifestyle factors and ergonomics will also be essential in the long term management of a disc injury.

If you wish to book an appointment to find out if chiropractic can help you, please call Dr Martin Cook or Dr Hayden Belle at Glasgow Chiropractic West End on: 0141 339 8333.