A disc injury, whether it's a bulge, herniation, or general degeneration, can be one of the most disruptive and painful conditions patients deal with. Pain from a disc issue often feels different from typical muscle or joint pain, and it may come with numbness, tingling, or weakness if a nearby nerve is involved. Dr. Dallas has particular experience treating these cases using a technique specifically suited for disc related pain.
What Is a Disc Injury?
The discs between each vertebra act as cushions, allowing the spine to move and absorb impact. A bulge occurs when the outer layer of the disc pushes outward, while a herniation happens when the inner material of the disc pushes through a tear in that outer layer. Either can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain that radiates beyond the back itself, commonly into the leg for a lower back disc, or into the arm for a neck disc.
How Disc Injuries Are Evaluated
Every new patient visit starts with a detailed history and physical exam, and objective testing using VALD equipment to measure strength and range of motion against normative data. This helps determine the extent of the issue and whether nerve involvement is present, giving a clear picture of what's actually going on before treatment begins.
How Disc Injuries Are Treated
Cox Flexion Distraction, delivered on a Cox 8 table, is Dr. Dallas's primary approach for disc related pain. This technique gently flexes and distracts the spine in a controlled, rhythmic motion, relieving pressure on the disc and any nerve it may be irritating, without the forceful thrust of a traditional adjustment. For many patients dealing with disc pain, this gentler approach is far more tolerable and effective than standard adjusting.
Depending on your exam, treatment may also include:
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Corrective exercise and movement coaching, built on SFMA screening, to address the movement patterns and weaknesses that may have contributed to the injury
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Chiropractic adjustments to areas of the spine unaffected by the disc injury, addressing broader compensation patterns
Care is built around the minimum effective dose required to get you results, with the goal of relieving pressure on the disc and getting you back to full function.
When a Disc Injury Involves Radiculopathy
If a disc is pressing on a nearby nerve, you may notice pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness radiating into the leg or arm, commonly known as radiculopathy or sciatica in the case of the low back. This is one of the presentations Cox Flexion Distraction is particularly well suited to address.
Common Questions About Disc Injury Treatment
Will I need an MRI to confirm a disc injury?
Not always. Dr. Dallas can often identify signs consistent with a disc injury through history and physical exam alone, though imaging may be recommended in certain cases.
Is Cox Flexion Distraction safe for a disc injury?
Yes, it's specifically well suited for this type of presentation, and tends to feel notably gentler than traditional adjusting for patients dealing with disc related pain.
How long does it take to recover from a disc injury?
That varies significantly depending on the severity of the injury and how you respond to care. Some patients notice improvement within the first few visits, while more significant injuries take longer.
Can a disc injury heal on its own?
Some disc injuries do improve over time with proper care, though this varies by individual. Dr. Dallas's exam will help determine the right approach for your specific situation.