Herniated Disc FAQ

Dr. Grant Schneider is a Livonia chiropractor who has spent years honing his skills as a natural wellness care practitioner. At his practice, Arbor Crossing Chiropractic Life Center, he's met hundreds of individuals struggling with pain and dysfunction related to herniated discs.

What Is A Disc Herniation?

When a disc herniation occurs, the gel-like substance inside the disc leaks out through a tear in the outer layer of the disc—akin to jelly leaking out of a squished donut. 

As this fluid leaks out into the surrounding joint space, nearby structures can become compressed and irritated, and various nociceptors (pain sensors) can be stimulated, leading to inflammation and pain. 

What Causes a Disc to Herniate? 

Sometimes our patients come to us with a herniated disc that seemed to happen "out of nowhere:" getting out of bed, bending over to pick up a golf ball, and so on. In these cases, a variety of risk factors have likely cumulated over time and resulted in an injury, including: 

• Poor posture and ergonomics
• Poor nutrition
• Smoking
• Advancing age (especially true for males between age 30-55)
• Frequent bending, twisting, or heavy lifting
• A long history of sedentary behavior

Herniated discs can also occur due to acute trauma, such as a car accident, sports incident, or personal injury like a slip and fall. 

Is A Herniated Disc The Same Thing As A Bulging Disc or Slipped Disc?

A bulging disc protrudes out of place, but the inner gel-like fluid doesn't leak out. A slipped disc is a misnomer; it doesn't describe a unique injury process.

What are The Signs and Symptoms of A Herniated Disc?

Discs are poorly innervated so a herniated disc itself may not cause any symptoms. If the injured disc encroaches on nearby tissues and nerves, symptoms can include:

• Muscle tenderness and spasms
• Pain, numbness, weakness, and/or tingling in an arm or leg
• Back stiffness

How can a Chiropractor in Livonia MI Help Me Heal My Herniated Disc? 

If you come to our chiropractor in Livonia looking for help with your suspected disc herniation, you may be provided with services such as:

• Spinal adjustments
• Soft tissue massage
• Core stabilization exercises

Together, these services are used to reduce inflammation, facilitate disc tissue healing, reduce pain, and increase core stabilization and alignment to reduce re-injury. 

Contact Our Local Chiropractor Today!

Looking for drug-free herniated disc treatment? Contact the Arbor Crossing Chiropractic Life Center today at (734) 462-2262 to schedule an appointment with an experienced chiropractor near Livonia, MI.