What Can I Do for a Disc Herniation?
By Dr. Matthew Kenney
Often, people with neck or back pain are sent for an MRI only to learn they have a disc herniation, a term people have come to dread. Upon hearing this term people usually imagine surgery and/or other unpleasant outcomes. However, while surgery may sometimes be necessary there are countless people each year who discover that these disc problems can be corrected naturally.
Discs are basically the shock-absorbing circles that sit between spinal vertebrae. Each disc is made up of 2 parts, a large outer ring of fibers called the annulus and a smaller circular jelly called the nucleus. If a spine remains misaligned without being corrected these disc areas can become stressed and cause decay. A herniation occurs when the outer fibers weaken (usually over a period of months and years) and the jelly-like nucleus material begins to leak outward and irritate spinal nerves much like pressing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would squirt jelly out sideways onto a plate. The nerve irritation can cause pain, numbness, tingling, weakness and other unpleasant symptoms which are often severe.
Herniated discs most often occur in either the lumbar (lower back) or cervical (neck) areas; both of which can be corrected. The methods we use to correct them are as follows:
First, because disc problems stem from spinal stress caused by misalignments (subluxations) the spine must be re-trained through a series of gentle, spinal adjustments to return to its natural position. Next, traction is utilized to help heal and repair the discs. Because discs are weakened by compression (downward pressure) on the spine they can be healed by doing the opposite. Traction involves stretching the spine outward so that discs can realign to proper positions, herniated material can be sucked back toward the nucleus like a vacuum, blood flow to the area can improve and nerve tension can be reduced. In our office we have specialized equipment that we utilize for traction including a Flexion-Distraction Table for the lumbar spine. Natural nutritional supplements are often used to assist in minimizing inflammation and to give the discs the proper nutrients they need to heal. Finally, once the underlying problem is corrected exercises and stretches are carefully selected and assigned to help strengthen the area.
So, how successful is this natural approach? Statistically the results are nearly 90%, meaning 9 out of 10 people can avoid surgery or other unpleasant outcomes. In the rare event that someone is not healing from this approach (within a period of 2-4 weeks) than they will be referred for surgery or other intervention. Even those who do not improve will still know that they have exhausted their simple, natural options before exploring more risky and complex ones.
We help many people with disc herniations each year and currently have 8 patients that are nearing full recovery from them under our care. If you or anyone you know suspects a disc problem please do not wait for it to correct itself! Contact my office immediately for an appointment or further information at (203) 259-4731.
