Disc Injuries Disc Injuries

What we help with

Disc Injuries

Disc injuries are awful.

Nothing stops you in your tracks quite like an acute disc flare-up. One moment, you might be digging in the garden or lifting your child, and the next, you feel something pop or shift in your lower back. Suddenly, you’re bent over, struggling to stand or walk. The pain is intense, sometimes radiating down your thigh and maybe even into your foot. Your back spasms, pulling you to one side, making it impossible to straighten your pelvis.

Whether this is your first experience or a recurring issue, the good news is you can get better. We understand what you’re going through and are here to help you heal naturally.

Key Facts

  • CHIRO OR PHYSIO

    Both

  • AREA OF THE BODY

    L5/S1, lower back. (C6/7, neck)

  • Pain Type

    Sharp, Worsens with sitting or bending

  • Common in

    Labour & sedentary roles

Understanding Stages of Disc Pathology

Disc injuries affect millions of individuals worldwide. The intervertebral discs, located between the vertebrae of the spine, act as shock absorbers and facilitate movement. The stages of disc pathology represent a progression of degenerative changes that occur from mild to severe.

Bulging Disc

Occur when the disc’s outer layer weakens, causing it to protrude beyond its normal boundary. This condition often results in minimal symptoms, yet it can lead to nerve compression if not addressed.

Disc Herniation

Is more serious, involves the rupture of the disc’s outer layer, allowing the inner gel-like substance to protrude. Herniations causes significant pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in extremities due to nerve root irritation.

Disc Extrusion

More severe, the escaped nucleus of the disc pushes outwards, remaining tethered to the disc, causing significant nerve compression.

Disc Sequestration

Fragment of disc detaches from main body and is free floating in spinal canal. This is the most severe form of herniation. Symptoms can be more widespread.

Stages of Disc Pathology

Common Symptoms

  • Back Pain: often sharp, particularly when bending forward
  • Radiating Pain: may extend into the legs (if disc injury is in the neck, may extend into arms)
  • Numbness and Tingling: can occur in lower limbs (upper limbs if disc injury is in the neck)
  • Muscle Weakness: can occur in lower limbs (upper limbs if disc injury is in the neck)
  • Limited Range of Motion: stiffness and difficulty moving parts of the spine
  • Increased Pain with Certain Positions: often aggravated by sitting, bending, or lifting
Naturaliste Chiro-55-55

Our Approach

We don’t mess around with discs; our dedicated team of practitioners are very experienced in assessing and aiding the healing process in disc pathology. Utilising advanced diagnostic techniques, we thoroughly evaluate your condition with an in-depth history, combining physical, postural and neurological examinations to get an accurate diagnosis of the level and severity of your disc problem.

We will often refer externally for x-ray and/or MRI to further stage your disc problem and will let you know straight away if you require a GP / specialist referral.

Our holistic treatment approach combines deloading low force techniques, specific careful chiropractic adjustments, targeted therapeutic exercises, ergonomic home care advice and muscle release to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and promote healing. Our compassionate practitioners are here to guide you on your journey to recovery.

Discover how our expert care can help you regain your quality of life—schedule your Initial Consultation today!

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References

1.  van Tulder, A. A. G., Koes, B. W., & Peul, W. (2018). Management of lumbar disc herniation: A systematic review. *European Spine Journal*, 27(2), 266-281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5189-4

2. Image taken from; https://www.spine-brain.com/conditions/spine-conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/)