At Paramount Chiropractic, one of the most common things we see is pain from disc injuries, whether in the neck or low back. Low back pain is experienced by 80% of the population at some point and is the greatest cause of disability in the U.S. There are many different causes of lower back pain, such as muscle strain or vertebral subluxation, but one of the more severe causes is an injury to an intervertebral disc.
Before discussing effective treatments, it is essential to understand exactly what happens in the disc when it becomes injured. Disc injuries occur when the soft, gel-like material within the spinal discs protrudes or bulges outwards, often due to degeneration, trauma, or repetitive stress.
$49 For Initial Disc Injury Chiropractic Visit
Includes initial consultation, full spinal exam, digital posture assessment, and any necessary X-rays.
An effective analogy for explaining disc injuries is to liken the spinal disc to a jelly-filled doughnut: the outer ring represents the tough, fibrous exterior of the disc, while the inner gel-like substance resembles the jelly filling. Just as excessive pressure or squeezing can cause jelly to protrude from a doughnut, prolonged strain or trauma can lead to the protrusion or herniation of the disc material, compressing nearby nerves and causing pain and discomfort. Another example compares the spinal disc to a tire: the outer rubber layer represents the tough outer annulus fibrosus, while the inner air-filled tube symbolizes the soft nucleus pulposus. Just as a tire can bulge or rupture under pressure, a disc can herniate or bulge when subjected to excessive force or wear and tear.
The early stages of a disc injury are typically asymptomatic, so the individual would not know at this time that a disc injury was occurring. As this condition progresses, sustaining damage to the last ring of cartilage, the disc material pushes out from the disc into the spinal canal, where the spinal cord and nerves are, resulting in symptoms such as severe pain, numbness, tingling, burning, and weakness down the legs (sciatica). At this time, immediate intervention is required in order to have the best prognosis going forward.
Traditional medicine usually treats disc herniations using opioid medications for pain or steroid injections, but some discs require surgical intervention if less invasive treatments are unsuccessful. However, more conservative treatments are available that are effective at treating the root cause of the problem, thus helping the symptoms dissipate. At Paramount Chiropractic, we treat people with disc injuries on a daily basis and are ready to help you.
How Our Disc Injury Care Plan Works
1. Get To The Root Cause of The Problem
Pain is not the problem, it is merely alerting us to the problem. We follow your pain to the root of the problem, so we can uncover your body’s seen and unseen dysfunction. Addressing that underlying dysfunction will lead to long-term, sustained health and well-being.
2. Create The Best Plan of Action
A one-size-fits-all solution won’t work – even for two patients with the same issue. We create a plan of action that is based on your unique situation and health goals, ensuring the solution suits you and not the other way around.
3. Get Back To Living Your Best Life
Our body is capable of incredible things. You deserve a life of abundant joy. Illness or injury interferes with that life, making simple tasks more difficult and draining your energy. A body in full health is able to flourish, unleashing your full potential onto the world.
How We Treat Disc Injury in Westlake, OH.
We take a comprehensive approach to treating a disc injury, utilizing different steps and techniques to address your injury as it is unique to you and your total health.
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
When you arrive for your first visit to the office, the doctor will dive into your disc injury history, especially the mechanism of injury and how it occurred. We will really listen to understand how the injury affects your daily life. The doctor will then review your health history, including prior traumas (you may have forgotten), daily habits (work, sleep, posture, etc), and what you are experiencing with your condition. After gathering all the information, the doctor will proceed with the examination, including a digital posture assessment, range of motion testing, certain neurological and orthopedic tests, and a spinal examination. The consultation and exam are designed to give the doctor the clearest picture of what is happening and the best course of action. The sooner this process starts, the sooner they can get you on the path to healing and back to the life you want to live.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays play a crucial role in accurately diagnosing and assessing disc injuries (for the neck or back), providing valuable insights into the condition of the spine and the severity of any underlying issues. By capturing detailed images of the spinal structures, X-rays enable us to identify abnormalities, misalignments, and signs of disc degeneration or herniation that may not be visible through physical examination alone. This diagnostic information allows the doctor to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs, ensuring that they receive targeted care aimed at addressing the root cause of their disc injury. Furthermore, X-rays can help the doctor monitor progress over time, allowing for adjustments to treatment protocols to optimize healing and restore spinal health.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Westlake, OH
Chiropractors are the only doctors trained to perform precise spinal adjustments to realign the vertebrae in the spine. These adjustments help to alleviate pressure on the discs, reduce inflammation, and restore normal function to the affected area. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments can relieve pain and discomfort associated with disc injuries.
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive alternative to more aggressive treatments, such as surgery or injections for disc injuries. Many individuals prefer chiropractic care because it does not involve drugs or invasive procedures, making it a safer and more natural option for managing disc-related symptoms. Chiropractic care can help patients recover from disc injuries and enjoy improved mobility, function, and quality of life.
The doctor will develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s specific needs and preferences. This individualized approach ensures that treatment addresses the unique factors contributing to the disc injury, such as underlying misalignments, muscle imbalances, or lifestyle factors. By addressing these factors, chiropractic care can help prevent future re-injury and promote long-term spinal health.
Chiropractic care can effectively manage pain associated with disc injuries, helping patients reduce reliance on pain medications and improve their quality of life. Through a combination of spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapies, and lifestyle modifications, chiropractors can help patients achieve significant pain relief and restore their ability to engage in daily activities comfortably.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
In today’s world, many jobs have us stuck in a static posture (i.e., sitting at a desk) or doing repetitive movements all day long. This can cause wear and tear on the soft tissue like your muscles and ligaments, eventually becoming deconditioned and weak. A disc injury is often directly related to that muscle weakness or imbalance. The muscles that support the spine to keep it in its proper place can become weak over time, leading to an increased likelihood of discs becoming unstable. As with any condition, we will create a therapeutic exercise plan tailored to your needs. Strengthening and stabilizing exercises help with short-term pain relief and prevent the injury from returning.
Spinal Decompression for Disc Injuries
Spinal decompression therapy helps to alleviate neck and lower back pain by gently stretching the spine and creating negative pressure within the spinal discs. This negative pressure can help to retract herniated or bulging discs, relieving pressure on nerves and reducing inflammation. By targeting the source of the pain, spinal decompression therapy offers a non-invasive and drug-free approach to pain relief.
Spinal decompression therapy promotes the movement of water, oxygen, and other nutrient-rich fluids into the spinal discs. Increased fluid exchange helps to nourish the discs, improve their hydration and flexibility, and promote healing. By enhancing disc health, spinal decompression therapy can contribute to long-term relief from conditions such as degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, and disc-related pain.
Chronic neck and lower back pain can restrict mobility and limit range of motion in the cervical and lumbar spine. Spinal decompression therapy helps to gently stretch the muscles and ligaments surrounding the spine, improving flexibility and increasing spinal mobility. This improved range of motion can enhance overall function and reduce the risk of future injuries or discomfort.
Spinal decompression therapy offers a non-surgical alternative for individuals suffering from neck and lower back pain who may be hesitant to undergo invasive procedures such as surgery. By providing a safe and effective treatment option, spinal decompression therapy appeals to individuals seeking relief from lower back pain without the risks and downtime associated with surgery.
We tailor decompression therapy to each individual’s specific needs and conditions. Chiropractors and other healthcare providers can adjust the treatment parameters, such as traction force and treatment duration, to accommodate factors such as the severity of the condition, the patient’s pain tolerance, and their response to treatment. This customized approach ensures that patients receive personalized care aimed at maximizing the benefits of spinal decompression therapy for their lumbar spine.
Low-Level Laser Therapy to Heal Your Discs
It is no secret that disc injuries need time to heal. They are likely the result of a gradual injury process over weeks, months, or even years, so natural healing will also take time. That said, Paramount Chiropractic has technology that can accelerate this healing process and help produce faster results. This treatment is called Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT).
Low-Level Laser Therapy works through photobiomodulation, meaning that light energy penetrates deep into the damaged tissue down to the cellular level. Here, it stimulates energy production in the cell’s mitochondria, which is directed towards both reducing inflammation and speeding up tissue healing. It is very quick, with treatment taking only about 3-5 minutes for each session. When used in conjunction with other treatments like spinal decompression and chiropractic, Low-Level Laser Therapy can be a game-changer for people with stubborn disc injuries.
Softwave Tissue Regeneration Technology (TRT)
SoftWave therapy delivers acoustic shock waves to targeted areas of the body using a specialized handheld device. These shock waves are high-energy acoustic pulses that travel through the skin and penetrate the underlying tissues. When the shock waves reach the target area, they exert mechanical forces that stimulate cellular responses within the body. SoftWave therapy promotes cellular repair and regeneration by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. The shock waves trigger the release of growth factors, cytokines, and other signaling molecules that promote the proliferation of stem cells and enhance tissue repair. This accelerates the healing process, allowing damaged tissues to regenerate more quickly and effectively.
SoftWave therapy has anti-inflammatory effects, helping to reduce pain and inflammation in injured tissues. The shock waves disrupt the inflammatory cascade and inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines and prostaglandins, alleviating pain, swelling, and discomfort associated with acute and chronic injuries.
In summary, SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology harnesses the power of acoustic shock waves to stimulate tissue repair, reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, and promote healing within the body. This innovative therapy offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive approach to treating a variety of musculoskeletal and soft tissue conditions, helping patients recover faster and regain function and mobility after a disc injury.
Read Our Online Reviews
Nancy L2023-10-13Everything about Paramount Chiropractic is 5 stars! All of the amazing reviews are what initially prompted me to choose Paramount for my chiropractic care, and now I can see what all of the great reviews were about! Dr. Greg is highly knowledgeable and you can tell he really cares about his patients. He pushes to get to the root of the problem. I have been to Chiropractors before, and Paramount is by far the best experience I have had. Such a great atmosphere too. I have seen a great improvement and would highly recommend Paramount Chiropractic to anyone!Jay Petek2023-10-10Great experience. Clean and inviting. Great staff.Erin Cover2023-10-09Dr Greg and the ladies at the desk have been wonderful to work with! They have been super accommodating to my schedule and I have learned a lot from them in terms of what the spine controls, etc. The appointments usually last 15-20 minutes which is very convenient and they will take the time to talk with you about any questions instead of rushing to the next person.Christoph Schoenlein2023-10-02After 2 months of care, I’ve made more comprehensive improvements to my health than I ever could’ve imagined. Dr. Greg and his staff are fantastic. For the first time in a decade, my neck and shoulders are finally moving like they should and the headaches have vanished. Would highly recommend to anyone!J. Atlee Horner III2023-09-26The absolute best chiropractor in the Cleveland area. This is a doctor who truly wants to help you get better and his approaches are all scientific and medically based. I could not be happier after years of lower back pain. Give him a call. Learn from me don't wait to get rid of your back pain.Brian Wildman2023-09-25Dr. Greg is a highly skilled and knowledgeable chiropractor. His staff are so professional, friendly and courteous. I love coming here.Sarah Boswell2023-09-18I have increased my mobility and I no longer take my acid reflux medicine. Dr.Greg listens to my needs.I highly recommend going to Paramount Chiropractor!!Michelle Johnson2023-09-15I have been going to Paramount Chiropractic for 5 weeks now. When I went I had been up all night with back pain and they were able to get me in right away the next morning. The process has been simple and straight forward. I have experienced much relief and living with less pain. I look forward to seeing continued positive results from the care I receive. The most important thing is the care has worked! Very thankful.
Common Causes of Disc Injury in Westlake, OH.
There are several ways to experience a disc injury. Knowing the potential causes may help you to reduce your risk.
Repetitive Motion and Stress
When it comes to disc injuries, we often hear a patient say something like, “I wasn’t doing anything when it happened. I was just putting on my shoes.” The incident rarely causes your disc injury as much as the repetitive trauma over time. You’ve put your shoes on thousands of times with no issues, but that one moment in time is when your body couldn’t handle any further stress. This is the straw that breaks the camel’s back analogy.
This concept applies to manual labor jobs that require lots of bending, lifting, and twisting. Putting the spine into flexion and rotation at the same time is commonly how disc injuries occur. If you do this type of work for a living, it’s important to be conscious of your posture and how you move during work. It’s also important to have regular chiropractic adjustments to prevent further injury.
Heavy Lifting
Undoubtedly, exercise and weight resistance training are beneficial to your health. The physical and mental health benefits are far-reaching. However, heavy lifting, such as squats and deadlifts, places a significant amount of stress on the body. During these movements, the discs between the spine are loaded with more weight than usual, which creates extra stress on the spine. If one of the discs is weak, there is a greater chance of bulging.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid lifting altogether. Always use proper technique when lifting and use your legs as much as possible to avoid extra stress on the lower back.
Auto Accidents
Most people automatically think of the lower back when they hear about a disc injury. Although less common, disc injury can occur anywhere throughout the spine. For example, auto accidents are a frequent cause of disc injury in the neck, especially during a whiplash injury when the head flexes forward and backward rapidly from impact. This violent movement can push the disc backward toward the nerve roots, causing pain.
Paramount Chiropractic can provide the care you need after your accident to get you back to pre-accident status. We work with insurance companies, other providers, and attorneys to ensure the process is smooth and stress-free for you.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is an age-related condition where the discs between vertebrae break down. Unlike the other causes of disc injury already mentioned, DDD is a process that occurs over time. When the discs begin to thin, the hole between two vertebrae where the nerve comes out gets smaller and smaller. When this happens, pressure on the nerves causes symptoms such as pain in the spine or radiating down the legs or arms. Besides age, other risk factors include obesity, smoking, diabetes, and work that is hard on the spine.
Unfortunately, Degenerative Disc Disease cannot be reversed. However, its progression can be slowed down and managed. The key to progression prevention is to keep the spine moving with chiropractic adjustments and exercise.
Check Out Our Location Near You
23760 Center Ridge Rd, Westlake, OH 44145
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor in Westlake, OH, help with disc problems?
Yes! We care for people with disc issues every day. Our combination of chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, and exercises gives us a great advantage in alleviating disc injury symptoms.
How long does it take for a disc injury to heal?
Healing a disc injury varies significantly between people, depending on the extent of the damage, the person’s age, and other health factors. As a general rule, the longer you’ve had the issue, the longer it takes to heal. Your chiropractor will discuss recommendations and a plan to help you feel better faster.
Is it safe to go to a chiropractor with a herniated disc?
A chiropractor is one of the first places to go if you have a disc injury. We are trained to detect which vertebrae are involved in the disc bulge without invasive or expensive treatments.
What does a slipped disc feel like?
Besides pain, common symptoms of a disc injury include radiating, sharp nerve pain down the arms or legs. Some people may also notice numbness in a particular area of their extremities or muscular weakness in the hands or feet.
Can a chiropractor in Westlake, OH, make things worse?
Here’s the great thing about chiropractic: it’s so non-invasive that you can’t feel any worse. The worst-case scenario is that you don’t have any changes at all. Most people do respond well to chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression for disc injuries, but some severe cases could require more intervention, like surgery. We want to make sure you don’t go down that road. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have any low back or disc issues.
$49 for Initial Disc Injury Chiropractic Visit
Includes initial consultation, full spinal exam, digital posture assessment, and any necessary X-rays.