What is a Disc Herniation?

Spinal discs are made of a tough outer surface (annulous fibrosis) and a jelly type inner core (nucleous pulposis). With spinal injury or degeneration, the jelly inner core can protrude (or herniate) out of the outer surface which then causes inflammation and pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord. When this occurs in the low back, it can cause “sciatica” which refers to the symptoms commonly associated with a lumbar disc herniation. Sciatica is actually simply a name given to a collection symptoms including burning, or electric leg pain, numbness of the toes, and pain in the low back.

Recent literature supports the use of manual care for treatment of a disc herniation. Manual care including chiropractic, medical acupunture, traction, rehabilitative exercises and massage therapy can be very beneficial. Our team provides every patient with an individualized plan for treating their disc herniation or “sciatica” based on their functional deficits and severity of the complaint.