The Different Types of Back Disc Problems

All that matters to you when you are experiencing back pain is to be relieved of it. You don’t usually care what is causing the pain. But in order to get relief, your doctor or health care provider has to know what is causing the pain to develop the right treatment plan. You may be able to go to a Mesa back disc pain chiropractor for treatment, or you may need more serious intervention, such as surgery.

Here’s a look at some of the different type of back disc problems to give you an idea of what you might be up against:

Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is sometimes known as a “slipped” disc.

Between each of the vertebrae that make up your spine is an intervertebral disc that provides shock absorption. When you jump up and down, the discs make it so that your bones aren’t slamming against each other. When you twist side to side, the discs make it so the bones don’t grind on each other.

Over time, the tough, outer layer of a disc can crack, and the material from inside the disc can push out. This condition is known as a herniated disc, which can also be referred to as a ruptured or bulging disc. The condition can be quite painful in and of itself. If the herniated disc presses on a nerve, it can intensify the pain or cause it to spread to other parts of the body.

A Mesa herniated disc chiropractor focuses on relief from the symptoms of a ruptured disc. Pelvic blocking techniques and flexion-distraction techniques are used to relieve pressure on the bulging disc or on the pressed nerve. In some cases, chiropractic treatment can also improve the space between the vertebrae, which can create long-lasting relief.

Compressed Disc

A compressed disc occurs when the walls of the disc weaken and begin to collapse. The disc and its inner contents become compressed, and the vertebrae do not have as much cushioning. Eventually, the bones can rub together directly, which can cause serious pain or even a bone spur. A compressed disc can also put pressure on a nerve, which can cause severe pain.

Surgery is often needed to repair a compressed disc, but chiropractic treatment can relieve the pain from the pressure on the nerve or the bones rubbing together.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is an informal term used to describe the breakdown of the discs in the spine as you age. It’s not a formal diagnosis, but rather a collection of symptoms. Your discs might become thinner, they might become compressed, they might rupture, or they might slightly move out of place. Over time, you will lose the flexibility in your spine and will suffer serious pain.

Typically, degenerative disc disease results in pain to the lower back or the lumbar region. Pain in the upper part of the spine around the neck is also common with this condition.

A range of chiropractic treatments may be available to relieve the pain, depending on where it is and what, specifically, is causing it. For example, if there is pressure on a nerve, the treatment would focus on shifting the spine so that the pressure is relieved. Your chiropractor will perform a complete evaluation, including taking a comprehensive medical history, to determine the source of your pain and the best course of treatment to get you the most relief. However, you will also need to see your doctor to pursue additional courses of treatment where available.