A herniated disc or bulging disc can cause excruciating back or neck pain. Herniated disc symptoms in the lower back can include sharp pain which radiates down the leg along with numbness and tingling in the affected extremity. A herniated disc in the neck can lead to pain radiating down the arm.
What is a Herniated Disc?
The spinal column is composed of individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other to provide protection of the spinal cord and support for the weight of the body while maintaining flexibility.
Between each vertebra is a cushion-like intervertebral disc which acts as a “shock absorber” to absorb the force of normal movement. With age, the discs tend to dry out (desiccation) and lose height causing them to bulge out and compress adjacent nerve roots.
Herniated Disc Symptoms
A herniated disc is when the central nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc ruptures (herniates) out and compresses spinal nerves as they exit the spine. A herniated disc in the neck can cause herniated disc symptoms including severe, sharp stabbing pain in the neck radiating down the arm, numbness and muscular weakness.
A herniated disc in the neck can also lead to a stiff neck or muscle spasms in the neck. If the herniated disc is in the lower spine, it can cause stabbing, shooting pain radiating down the leg, leg weakness and numbness and, in severe cases, possible incontinence of the bladder and bowels.
Diagnosis and Treatment of a Herniated Disc
At Arbor Crossing Chiropractic Life Center, PLLC our chiropractor, Dr. Grant Schneider, DC will take a comprehensive history of your medical conditions and physical symptoms and will conduct a complete spinal physical exam. He will also conduct a neurological exam along with various orthopedic tests.
Dr. Schneider may order, if indicated, X-Rays or MRI’s of the neck, thoracic and lumbar spine. If a herniated disc or bulging disc is diagnosed, Dr. Schneider will develop a treatment plan which may include various treatment modalities along with spinal adjustments (manipulations) to correct position and function by decreasing nerve compression.
Get In Touch With Our Livonia Chiropractor for Herniated Disc Treatment
A herniated disc or bulging disc can both lead to debilitating pain and discomfort. At Arbor Crossing Chiropractic Life Center, PLLC, located at 37625 Ann Arbor Rd #111, Livonia, MI 48150, our Livonia chiropractor Dr. Grant Schneider, DC will conduct a complete evaluation of your herniated disc symptoms and will develop a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce spinal nerve compression to improve daily function and reduce intolerable pain. Call us today to schedule an appointment for an evaluation at (734) 462-2262.