If you have experienced back pain in your life you are part of the 80% of St. Peter people that will experience it. Most of us will experience back pain at one time or another following heavy or awkward lifting, or after a hard workout. If the pain is coming from a strained muscle, it will most likely resolve itself in a few days of rest. What do you do if it doesn’t resolve in a few days? Your St. Peter Chiropractor can help you determine where your injury is coming from and what the best steps are to get it fixed.

Spinal injuries can be extremely painful and it is important to understand your anatomy, especially the disc and how it plays a part in your overall health. Understanding what a disc bulge or herniation means to you or how degenerative changes truly affect your activity levels is an important step in making a full recovery. 

THE SPINAL DISC

There is a cushion between each of the vertebra(bones in your back), they are called intervertebral discs. They are a cartilage type composition with a soft gel-like center and a stronger shell made of a ligamentous wall, encapsulating the entire disc(think of a jelly donut). They are attached to the vertebrae acting as a type of shock-absorber and cushion to keep the vertebrae from rubbing together. Not only do they guard against impact they play a vital role in keeping the spine flexible as well as extremely strong.

When a disc is protruding or bulging, the gel at the center of the disc is starting to push out against the harder outer shell or ligamentous wall of the disc, but this wall has not yet been torn. Statistics reveal that nearly 60% of adults have one or more bulging discs, but they are asymptomatic meaning they are not experiencing any symptoms of pain. Once the interior gel begins to tear the outer ligamentous wall, the disc has progressed from what is considered protruding to herniated. Any bulging or herniation of the disc can result in nerve irritation, inflammation, potential numbness, and quite often severe pain.

A ruptured disc or disc extrusion is a serious condition that results when the interior gel completely tears through the harder ligamentous wall of the disc. As the gel escapes severe back pain and extremely restricted movement can be the outcome.  

How do you know if you have a disc injury?

Your St. Peter chiropractor will take steps to help you determine the nature of your injury but if you are dealing with the following symptoms you may have a disc injury.

-Pain with transitions(sit to stand or walking), Pain that radiates into your arm or leg, pain that gets worse with specific positions(sitting on a couch or recliner), getting out of bed in the morning.

If you have been living with it, don’t! These injuries typically have a great response to the kind of techniques we use at Rising Sun Chiropractic.

How does your St. Peter chiropractor manage your disc injury?

Dr. Seth Nelson has gone through extensive continuing education to specialize in conservative disc management. Avoiding surgery, pills, and disability is his top priority. While each case is different you can expect a thorough examination, at home guidance, therapy specific to your case and chiropractic care. The system of care you will experience will give you the best chance at a full recovery and avoiding more invasive surgeries. 

To learn more call your St. Peter Chiropractor today! Rising Sun Chiropractic 507-934-3333 or click here for a FREE consultation.