What is a spinal disc? And how does it slip? First, the term “slip” does not accurately portray what is happening in the patient’s body; more on that in the next section.
A spinal disc, also called an intervertebral disc, is defined by Health Direct as follows:[1]
- “There is a spinal disc between each of the bones (called vertebrae) in your spine. The spinal discs help absorb impacts, so that your bones don’t rub against each other and can move smoothly. The rubbery discs, also known as intervertebral discs, are filled with gel-like fluid. This makes the spine flexible. The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that connects your brain to the nerves in your body. Together, the vertebrae and the discs surround and protect your spinal cord.”
How Do I Get a Slipped Disc?
Although not always painful or serious, slipped discs result from a variety of causes and are most likely to occur in the lower back and neck. Causes of slipped discs include:
- General wear and tear. Human bodies undergo considerable wear and tear over time. Just the day-to-day wear and tear on the body can lead to a slipped disc.
- Injury. A fall, a sprain, a trip or slip, a sudden movement, such as being rear-ended and experiencing whiplash, or lifting something heavy too quickly or with poor form are all ways in which a slipped disc can occur.
- Genetic factors. Sometimes, one’s genetics can predispose them to slipped disc conditions, especially if they have a family history of slipped discs.
- Obesity. Being overweight puts additional strain on the body, which can lead to a slipped disc.
- Smoking. Some research shows that smoking can lead to slipped disc injuries.
- Physically demanding jobs or lifestyles. People who work in physically demanding or hazardous job conditions are at much higher risk of experiencing a slipped disc.
Slipped Discs are Often Misunderstood
The term “slipped disc” is somewhat of a misnomer. Discs don’t slip out of place. It’s more accurate to refer to the phenomenon as a herniated disc or a bulging disc.
The “slipped disc” condition is identified by the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushing out through a tear in the outer layer of the disc, potentially irritating nearby nerves, like the sciatic nerve.
Here are a few myths about slipped discs:
- “Spinal discs ‘slip’ out of place.” This isn’t actually what the disc is doing during this type of injury. The disc itself stays in the same place. However, a tear occurs in the harder outer layer of the disc, allowing the softer, gel-like material inside the disc to push outwards, past the boundaries of the disc.
- “A slipped disc means you are permanently injured.” This is not the case. The spine has an impressive ability to heal, and many disc herniations improve with proper treatment, including chiropractic care.
- “A slipped disc permanently forces the spine out of place.” This is also not true. Most people who experience slipped discs experience a full recovery.
- “Surgery is the only treatment for a slipped disc.” Only very severe cases of herniated discs require surgery. Most patients with slipped discs heal without surgery.
- “Slipped discs cause permanent nerve damage.” Not so. Slipped discs may be associated with nerve pain, but it’s extremely rare for such damage (and resulting pain) to be permanent.
Slipped Disc Symptoms
How do I know if I have a slipped disc? How can I tell if I have a slipped disc? As a general rule, pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and, in extreme cases, issues with bowel or bladder control can all serve as signs of a slipped disc.
Here are the specifics:
Pain that centers around the area where the disc became herniated or bulged is a good indicator of a slipped disc. Another pain indicator is when one experiences mild to severe pain radiating down one’s arm or leg. This occurs when the bulging section of the disk leaves its designated area, pushing past its boundaries and essentially pressing or compressing against a nerve. That pressure on the nerve is what causes pain to radiate up and down the limb or body part associated with the nerve.
Numbness or tingling in or near the area affected by the bulging disc is another sign.
When a herniated disc impacts nerves, it can reduce the brain’s communication pathway to the area of the body controlled by the affected nerves. If one experiences muscle weakness or some loss of control in a limb, this can be a sign of a slipped disc.
In serious conditions, one may experience loss of bladder or bowel control when they suffer from a herniated disc.
How Do I Treat a Slipped Disc?
Conservative treatments for slipped discs are usually effective, but surgery may be necessary in some cases. Rest, chiropractic care, physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medication, certain injections, stretching, lifestyle modifications, a proper diet, and exercise are all basic treatments for slipped discs.
Chiropractors use specialized adjustment techniques to realign the spine into its natural state, which improves nerve and blood flow, allowing the body to position itself properly throughout day-to-day activities and tasks. A chiropractor’s adjustments on affected areas of the spine can relieve pressure on nerves, reduce inflammation, and increase blood flow, which all serve to greatly assist in the healing process for a slipped disc. Chiropractic adjustments also help restore mobility, which is crucial in recovering from a slipped disc.
The approach to healing a herniated disc should initially be taken with conservative, nonsurgical methods, and chiropractic care is one such minimally invasive treatment for a slipped disc. One should always consult with their chiropractor if they suspect a slipped disc so that the chiropractor may perform a proper analysis and diagnosis.
Get Help for a Slipped Disc Today
For those struggling with a slipped disc in Nashville or Franklin, Cool Springs Chiropractic is the top chiropractor for slipped discs in Middle Tennessee.
Establishing a doctor-patient relationship built on trust and delivering effective chiropractic care in Cool Springs is the cornerstone of Cool Springs Chiropractic. Only by utilizing this approach can the team and their patients effectively overcome slipped disc injuries, herniated discs, bulging discs, and the spinal complications associated with these conditions.
Our top chiropractors in Franklin consistently deliver exemplary service and are recognized for their expertise. Quoting Franklin’s award-winning chiropractor, Dr. Hinz:
- “At Cool Springs Chiropractic, our expert team provides tailored chiropractic care to address our patients’ unique health needs, including the development of an effective treatment plan that is unique to the patient. Whether patients are looking to relieve pain, improve mobility, enhance their overall wellness, or treat an acute and immediate malady, like a slipped disc, we’re here to help them achieve their goals through a patient-centered approach that accurately diagnoses conditions through the use of X-rays and then treats the underlying problems causing those symptoms. The result? Our patients leave our office feeling pain-free, healthier, happier, and more mobile.”
Schedule an appointment by calling (615) 503-9900 or using our online system to access our limited-time $49 New Patient Special. Our office is located at 3252 Aspen Grove Drive, Suite 13, in Franklin, Tennessee. For information or to ask a question, email us at info@coolspringschiropractic.com.
Sources:
[1] HD “Spinal Disc Problems.” Health Direct, 2024. healthdirect.gov.au
