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Disc Herniations

Mission Statement: “We treat the source not the symptoms”

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Pain of any kind, at any age, is a sign that something is wrong. Pain is the way your body signals that a limit has been reached or a problem has developed. Since we can adapt, minor aches and pains are often shrugged off. While the pain may seemingly go away, if the underlying problem remains unattended, the problem may slowly worsen until it becomes more difficult and expensive to resolve. Some people silence their symptoms with a pain reliever and ignore the message. But that would be like removing the battery to silence a smoke detector!

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 WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

A herniated disc refers to a problem with one of the rubbery cushions (discs) situated between the individual bones (vertebrae) that stack up to make your spine.
A spinal disc is a little like a jelly doughnut, with a soft centre encased within a tougher exterior. Sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc, a herniated disc occurs when some of the softer “jelly” centre pushes out through a tear in the tougher exterior.

 

WHAT IS A SPINAL DISC?

The discs between the vertebrae are composed of an annulus fibrosus and a nucleus pulposus.
The nucleus pulposus is the inner core of the vertebral disc and is composed of a jelly-like material that consists mainly of water.
The annulus is an outer fibrous layered ring which surrounds the inner jelly-like centre, the nucleus pulposus.

Facts about the Disc

  • Shock absorber for the spine
  • Largest avascular structure in the human body
  • Both the nucleus and annulus are comprised mainly of water (88%)
  • Spine is composed of 24 movable bones
  • Proper Spinal Alignment is needed for proper spinal loading and segmental motion
  • Spinal motion at a segmental level is required to facilitate the fluid circulation and the cycle of waste and nutrition exchange.

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symptoms

A herniated disc can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. On the other hand, many people experience no symptoms from a herniated disc. Most people who have a herniated disc don’t need surgery to correct the problem. If you’re suffering from a herniated disc, your symptoms may include:
  • Intermittent or continuous neck/back pain;
  • Spasm of the muscles;
  • Sciatica;
  • Muscle weakness in the arms/legs;
  • Numbness in the arms/legs;
  • Pain in the arms/legs;
  • Decreased reflexes;
  • Changes in bladder or bowel function.

Stages of Disc Herniations

(1) Disc protrusion

Bulge in the disc but not a complete rupture

(2) Prolapsed disc

Nucleus forced into outermost layer of annulus fibrosus - not a complete rupture

(3) Disc extrusion

A small hole in annulus fibrosus and fluid moves into epidural space

(4) Sequestered disc

Disc fragments start to form outside of the disc area

Common causes

Sport injury
Text neck
Lifling heavy boxes
Falls
Driving for a long periods
Car accident
Working on computer for a long time
Heavy work
Throughout our lives, we have physical stress on our body, some being acute such as falls, traumas, accidents and others which can be chronic such as sitting for long periods, working at a desk for long periods, using computers or phones or even just standing for long periods. These physical stresses may cause us to lose our normal alignment and the spine is placed in a weakened position. At first, this causes no pain but, as the spinal structures are continuously abnormally loaded, they begin to break down leading to spinal damage and eventually the development of pain and functional loss. Asymmetrical loading of the disc as a result of abnormal alignment causes nuclei pulposi to shift, creating a concentrated pressure to eventually break down the annulus fibres. Decreased motion of the disc and joints prevents hydration and nutrient metabolic waste exchange causing dehydration and the development of discopathy (protrusion/ herniation).

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treatments

We focus on addressing the source of the pain and, by doing so, the symptoms can be alleviated. We develop specialised treatment tailored to the needs of the individual patient as we believe that every patient is uniquе. We’ve helped many people with the safe and natural American Spinal Clinic Treatment System. If you are having any type of pain, don’t wait, call today to schedule an appointment!

Our treatment system

The American Spinal Clinic Treatment System has 3 major treatments components working synergistically together to achieve phenomenal results without drugs or surgery.

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results

X-rays of a patient with lumbar discopathy. The patient had low back pain, radiating pain, numbness and tingling down the legs. After the treatment course, the patient has significant improvement symptomatically, structurally and functionally.

before
after

testimonials

Disc Herinations - Cvetislava Lozanova

Disc Herinations - Cvetislava Lozanova
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Call us for a free consultation

0879 977 221 or make an appointment