Spinal Decompression Q & A
1.
What Is A Herniated Disc?
Between the bones in your spine, you have small round structures known as intervertebral discs. These discs are soft and gel-like on the inside and tougher on the outside. Sometimes--often due to repetitive stress, poor body mechanics, or a slip or stumble--a disc is exposed to an abnormal or high amount of force. This can cause the inner gel-like substance inside the disc to squeeze out beyond the tougher outer layer. When this happens, this is called a disc herniation.
2.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc?
Fluid from inside a herniated disc can leak into the surrounding area, causing pressure and inflammation on nearby spinal nerves and other tissues. This can lead to a variety of symptoms, including:
- Muscle spasm
- Neck or low back pain and stiffness
- Pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the arm or leg innervated by the affected spinal nerve
- Decreased tolerance to movement
Symptoms of a herniated disc vary greatly. Some people will experience minor discomfort whereas other people can become severely debilitated. In some cases, a herniated disc may not even present with any symptoms at all, and you may only know about it because it can show up on a digital x-ray.
3.
What Is Spinal Decompression, And How Does It Help Treat A Herniated Disc?
Spinal decompression is one of the best chiropractic care methods to help heal a herniated disc. To do, Dr. Atzmon has his patient lie on a specialized table called the Accu-SPINA System. Using this specialized device, he gently pulls on your spine to induce a "traction" force. This traction creates a negative pressure within the spine and helps the herniated disc move back to its normal position. This also realigns your spinal bones and creates more space for the impinged spinal nerves, allowing them to heal. After the spinal decompression, Dr. Atzmon may prescribe you corrective exercises to maximize the stability and strength of your core muscles and to prevent the disc from becoming re-injured.