Call NowChiropractors vs. Surgery For Herniated Discs – Our Thoughts
Dealing with a herniated disc can feel like the worst pain of your life, but is it enough to warrant the need for surgery? At Impact Medical Spring Hill, we’ve had our fair share of patients who have come in seeking treatment for herniated disc injuries. What do we usually recommend for them? Here are our thoughts on whether chiropractic care or surgery is the best choice for herniated discs:
How Do You Get a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc happens when one of the cartilage discs (between your spinal discs) slips out of place and causes severe swelling. This sometimes causes the cartilage to burst open, leading to incredible pain and exacerbated injury. Since you won’t be able to take a close look at your vertebrae without getting a scan, try to see if your symptoms align with those of a herniated disc to determine if this is the type of injury you’re experiencing:
- Unbearable pain in the lower back, sometimes extending into the thighs and calves.
- Muscle spasms in the back that are often followed by feelings of numbness or tingling.
- Pain or stiffness when attempting to turn the neck.
- Numbing sensations or pain that start in the back and spread towards the front of the ribcage.
- Issues with keeping balance while standing or walking.
Learn more > 8 Ways to Determine If You Need Surgery or a Pain Management Specialist
What a Chiropractor Can Do For Your Herniated Disc
A chiropractor will be able to diagnose your symptoms and let you know if what you’re experiencing really is a herniated disc. Once they have confirmed your injury, they can use methods and techniques at their disposal to treat your injury and mitigate the pain levels to help you make a full recovery. Nonsurgical treatment methods like chiropractic care are typically considered before surgery if it can be helped.
Your chiropractor sessions may include:
- Spinal manipulation
- Light exercises
- Stretching
- Heat and cold therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Advice for lifestyle changes
- Nutrition counseling
- And more
Your chiropractor will recommend what you need to help you recover from your herniated disc in a way that naturally supports the body. Chiropractic care has been known to effectively relieve pain and discomfort caused by herniated discs in a way that expedites healing.
Treating Herniated Discs With Surgery Options
The only times that your doctor will recommend surgery over chiropractic care is if you have already been unsuccessful with gentler approaches or if your injuries require you to replace damaged parts. Types of surgery that may be suggested by your doctor include:
- Discectomy
- Artificial disc replacement
- Fusion surgery
- Laminotomy
- Laminectomy
Before requesting any of these surgical procedures from the get-go, make sure you seek out a practitioner to see if any of these solutions are right for you.
Bottom Line: Making the Right Choice For You
If we were to give any bit of advice regarding treating herniated discs, it would be to start small. Try out chiropractic care first to see if you notice any differences. If that doesn’t seem to be working out for you, consult your doctor for recommendations on types of surgery that you may need to recover from a herniated disc. If you go through with surgery, chiropractic care is still suggested as a way to recover from the effects of the procedure.
Impact Medical Treats Herniated Discs In Spring Hill
Think you may be dealing with a herniated disc? Call Impact Medical Spring Hill today at 352-340-5427 to schedule a consultation. Whether you require chiropractic care or spinal surgery, we have the tools and expertise to help you recover from a herniated disc and more. Ask us about our interventional pain management services to help you find relief from your spine pain.