Get the relief you need with safe, effective chiropractic care.
Herniated discs, also known as slipped or ruptured discs, occur when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher outer casing.
When a disc herniates, it often compresses or pinches nearby nerves, resulting in discomfort and limited movement.
Other common symptoms and conditions related to disc herniation include:
- Lower back pain
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Weakness in the extremities
- Neck pain
- Headaches
- Sciatica
At Skare Spine & Performance, we understand the structure of the spine and how its full function is necessary for you to perform and move properly. We offer several chiropractic solutions to treat herniated discs, allowing you to safely return to your daily activities.
Don’t let disc herniation affect your routine any longer. You can achieve lasting results and learn how to better protect your spine by partnering with our team. If you’re ready to live pain-free and actively. Let’s get started today.
Do I Have a Herniated Disc?
The spine consists of 24 vertebrae stacked on top of one another, with discs serving as cushions between them. These discs serve as shock absorbers, allowing for flexible movement.
Each disc contains a firm outer layer and a soft, jelly-like center. When the inner part of the disc pushes through a weakened or torn area of the harder shell, a herniation occurs. Understanding why you experienced the injury can help you avoid further complications.
Common Causes & Risk Factors Related to Disc Herniation
- Age-related degeneration: As we age, discs naturally lose water content and flexibility, making them more prone to tears and ruptures
- Improper lifting techniques: Using the back muscles instead of the leg muscles when lifting heavy objects places excessive strain on the spinal discs
- Improper core activation or bracing: Hindered core tightening and bracing can cause strain on the spine, leading to disc herniations
- Excess body weight: Additional weight increases pressure on the spine, particularly in the lower back, including while pregnant
- Repetitive movements: Occupations and activities that require repeated bending, twisting, or lifting can gradually stress the discs, including sports injuries
- Sedentary lifestyle: Extended periods of sitting weaken the supporting muscles and increase pressure on the spinal discs
- Sudden trauma: Accidents or falls can cause immediate disc damage, such as a car accident
- Genetic predisposition: Some individuals have a genetic tendency toward disc degeneration
Preventing disc herniation may not be possible, but if you know you’re at high risk for them, being proactive can help control how your body reacts to injury and recovers from it.
How Our Rochester Chiropractic Clinic Addresses Herniated Discs
Chiropractic treatment for herniated discs offers a noninvasive, drug-free approach that focuses on alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and enhancing overall function.
Unlike surgical interventions, chiropractic care focuses on addressing the underlying causes while supporting the body's natural healing processes.
At our family chiropractic clinic, we’ve streamlined the process of herniated disc care.
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment
Before beginning treatment, Dr. Skare conducts a thorough examination that typically includes:
- Detailed health history review
- Physical examination focusing on neurological and orthopedic tests
- Analysis of posture and spinal alignment
- Assessment of range of motion and muscle strength
This detailed exam helps us determine the exact location of the herniation, its severity, and how it's affecting surrounding tissues and nerves.
We achieve this through:
- Motion palpation: A manual exam that allows us to learn how joints are moving and positioned
- McKenzie Method: Patients perform exercises that detail where the dysfunction is
These techniques provide invaluable insight, allowing us to design the optimal adjusting strategy for every patient.
Step 2: Specialized Chiropractic Techniques Applied
Flexion-Distraction Technique
This gentle, non-thrusting technique uses a specialized table that gently stretches the spine, creating negative pressure within the disc.
This approach serves to:
- Reduce disc protrusion
- Decrease pressure on spinal nerves
- Increase disc height
- Improve spinal movement
The flexion-distraction approach is particularly effective for lumbar disc (lower back) herniations and is usually well-tolerated by patients with acute pain.
Spinal Adjustments
Rather than applying direct force to the herniated area, which can heighten discomfort, we typically focus on adjusting the surrounding vertebrae to reduce pain and restore function quickly.
This approach serves to:
- Improve overall spinal function
- Reduce compensation patterns
- Enhance nerve function
- Decrease muscle tension to protect the injury
Step 3: Additional Chiropractic Solutions to Enhance Disc Healing
Our chiropractic treatment plans for herniated discs typically incorporate multiple therapeutic approaches to achieve the best and safest results.
Soft Tissue Therapies
Myofascial or soft-tissue therapies help relieve tension, reduce inflammation and adhesions, and improve circulation, which eases pain and restores mobility in individuals with disc herniation.
Dry Needling
Dry needling targets trigger points and tight muscles surrounding the spine, reducing pain, decreasing muscle tension, and improving mobility. This approach supports spinal mobility and promotes the healing of the affected discs.
Functional Rehab
Our functional rehabilitation protocols strengthen core muscles, improve posture, and restore movement patterns, reducing strain on spinal discs. This targeted approach supports healing, prevents re-injury, and enhances long-term recovery from disc herniation.
NormaTec Recovery Therapy
NormaTec recovery uses dynamic compression to enhance circulation, reduce inflammation, and decrease muscle soreness. This promotes faster recovery, supports tissue healing, and alleviates discomfort associated with disc herniation.
Sports Chiropractic & Rehab
Sports chiropractic care and rehabilitation help athletes with disc herniation by restoring spinal alignment and function, reducing nerve compression, and enhancing mobility without relying on medication or prolonged downtime.
Customized rehab exercises strengthen core muscles, enhance stability, and help prevent further injury. This integrative approach promotes healing, reduces pain, and supports a safe return to peak athletic performance with minimized risk.
Ergonomic & Lifestyle Counseling
Lifestyle and work-station advice to help improve daily posture, movement patterns, and ergonomics
When you partner with our Rochester chiropractor, you’ll receive guidance on all relevant aspects of your life, including:
- Proper lifting techniques
- Optimal sleeping positions
- Workstation setup and ergonomics
- Activity modification during recovery
- Core strengthening to support the spine and surrounding muscles
- Flexibility and range of motion stretches
- Enhanced posture
- Preventitve care tips
Treat Disc Herniation Safely & Effectively with Skare Spine & Performance Chiropractic Solutions
Chiropractic care offers a valuable non-surgical option for many people suffering from herniated discs.
By addressing mechanical dysfunction, Dr. Skare can reduce nerve compression and support the body's natural healing mechanisms. Our qualified Rochester chiropractor has helped patients recover function and alleviate pain without the need for drugs or invasive procedures, and we’re confident we can help you, too.
With proper assessment and individualized treatment plans, we have seen firsthand how our patients experience significant improvement safely and naturally, along with numerous other benefits.
Let’s Get Your Disc Herniation Taken Care Of
Don’t put your recovery on hold any longer. Now’s the time to give your body the natural, noninvasive support it deserves. Let us help you return to your routine with confidence and ease starting now.