Herniated Disc Specialist
If you’re experiencing back pain, neck pain, or sciatica-like symptoms — such as pain, numbness, or weakness extending into your arms or legs — you may be suffering from a disc herniation. Disc herniations can greatly affect your comfort and limit your daily activities. At Elite Spine and Health Center, our experienced chiropractors Dr. Billy Cheong, Dr. Kesia Broome, Dr. Elias Madrid, Dr. Tabotha Green, and Dr. Francis Jopanda, and their team are dedicated to providing holistic treatments to effectively address and manage the symptoms of disc herniation. To arrange an appointment, please reach out to our office in Houston or Spring, Texas, or utilize our easy online booking feature today.
A disc herniation occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. This can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. While herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine, they most frequently happen in the lower back.
Symptoms of a disc herniation depend on the location of the herniation and whether the disc is pressing on a nerve. They can include:
- Arm or Leg Pain: If the herniated disc is in your lower back, you’ll typically feel the most intense pain in your buttocks, thigh, and calf. It can also involve part of the foot.
- Numbness or Tingling: People with a herniated disc often experience these sensations in the body part served by the affected nerves.
- Weakness: Muscles served by the affected nerves can become weak, which may cause you to stumble or impair your ability to hold or lift items.
Factors that can increase your risk of a disc herniation include:
- Age: Disc herniation is most common in people in their 30s and 40s.
- Occupation: Jobs that require heavy lifting, pulling, pushing, or twisting can increase the risk of a herniated disc.
- Weight: Excess body weight causes extra stress on the discs in your lower back.
- Genetics: Some people inherit a predisposition to developing a disc herniation.
- Lifestyle Choices: Smoking, lack of regular exercise, and poor posture can contribute to the development of disc herniation.
To diagnose a disc herniation, your healthcare provider at Elite Spine and Health Center will review your medical history and conduct a physical exam. They will check your back for areas of pain, muscle weakness, numbness, and your reflexes. In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and determine the location of the herniation.
Treatment for a disc herniation at Elite Spine and Health Center may include:
- Physical Therapy: Exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and stability of the spine.
- Medication: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medications.
- Chiropractic Care: Gentle spinal adjustments and manipulations to relieve pressure on nerves.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Advice on posture, ergonomics, and activities to avoid further injury.
- Advanced Non-Invasive Therapies: Such as spinal decompression therapy, to alleviate pain and promote healing.
The goal is to relieve pain and improve mobility. In rare cases where conservative treatments don’t provide relief, surgery may be considered.
For a comprehensive evaluation and personalized treatment plan for disc herniation, contact Elite Spine and Health Center. You can book online or call the nearest office for a consultation.