Herniated disc treatment

Available at Lake Forest, San Diego, and Spring Valley

A herniated disc is when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer and irritates nearby nerves, causing back or neck pain that can travel into an arm or leg. Chiropractic care may help by easing pressure on the disc and nerve with gentle techniques, then supporting stability as it heals.

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When to seek urgent care

A disc can occasionally press on nerves in a way that needs emergency care. Go to an emergency room straight away if you have:

  • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • Numbness in the groin or inner thighs
  • Sudden weakness in a leg

These need emergency medical care. Do not wait for a chiropractic appointment.

When a disc is the problem

Herniated disc pain can be alarming, especially when it brings numbness, weakness or pain that travels into the arms or legs. Many people arrive unsure whether surgery is their only option or why symptoms appeared so suddenly.

Our chiropractors see disc problems at every stage, from early symptoms to long-standing nerve irritation. Care is structured and cautious, focused on reducing stress on the disc and the nerves around it while supporting stability and movement. Every plan is based on your exam findings and adjusted to your comfort.

What a herniated disc is

Each disc between the bones of your spine has a gel-like center surrounded by tough rings of cartilage. When the outer rings weaken or tear, the center can push through and irritate nearby nerves, causing pain, tingling or weakness.

Herniated discs most often affect the low back or neck, but they can happen anywhere along the spine.

Common causes

Disc herniations often develop over time rather than from one single event. Common causes include:

  • Repeated lifting or bending
  • Poor posture over long periods
  • Long periods of sitting
  • Sudden twisting movements
  • Spinal joints that are not moving well
  • Age-related disc changes
  • Earlier back or neck injuries

Often a small movement triggers the pain after the disc has already weakened. We also see disc problems in people who drive a lot or keep doing activities that put repeated pressure on the low back.

How a herniated disc is diagnosed

When a disc herniates in the low back, the pain is often severe. Some people have trouble walking into the office and need help from another person, a cane or a walker. The pain is often sciatic, traveling down the leg, sometimes as far as the foot, and may come with weakness in the leg or foot muscles.

A telling sign is pain that spikes when you bear down, such as when sneezing, coughing or during a bowel movement, because that raises pressure around the disc. There may also be reduced sensation in certain areas. Your exam checks movement, reflexes, sensation and strength. An MRI is the way to confirm a herniation, and your chiropractor will refer you for one when it is needed.

How we treat disc problems

Care focuses on easing pressure on the disc and nerve and restoring gentle movement. It may include gentle adjustments, stretching of the muscles around the area and decompression techniques. Dr. Ron Merriel, DC uses Cox flexion-distraction, a gentle table technique, at our San Diego office. Motorized spinal decompression is available at Lake Forest.

Herniations take time, often many months, and disc bulges can also be slow to settle. We make sure you understand this at the start so you can stay with the exercises and habit changes your body needs to heal. We also look at how you sit, drive, lift and sleep, because those habits can keep pressure on the disc.

Patient case studies

Herniated disc treated with flexion-distraction

Patient
An older man.
Symptoms
Severe low back pain with sciatic-type pain into the buttock. He had great difficulty walking and came in using a walker.
Findings
A herniated disc putting significant pressure on the nerves, confirmed by MRI.
Care
A standard course of chiropractic care with a strong focus on flexion-distraction to ease pressure on the disc and nerves.
Outcome
After four to six months of care he was doing most of his daily activities without low back pain or symptoms in his leg or buttock.

Disc herniation managed with care and habit changes

Patient
A woman who sat for most of her working day and drove a lot during the week.
Symptoms
Nagging sciatic pain and low back pain that worsened after 25 to 30 minutes in the car.
Findings
A disc herniation pressing on the sciatic nerve.
Care
Gentle adjustments with flexion-distraction, plus stretching and strengthening at home. She switched to a more supportive chair, used a sit-stand desk, took walking breaks and rested one foot on a small step when standing. A lumbar cushion with a sacral cutout in her car was the key change that let healing continue.
Outcome
After about four months she was doing significantly better and continued conservative care with her exercises and habit changes.

Individual results vary.

Care that may be part of your plan

Your chiropractor recommends care after your exam. Some therapies are offered only at certain offices.

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Herniated discs is treated at all 3 Greenlight offices.

Your questions,
answered

About herniated discs care at Greenlight.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

Pain is often severe, and walking can be difficult. Other signs include sciatic pain traveling down the leg, sometimes to the foot, weakness in the leg or foot muscles, reduced sensation in certain areas, and pain that worsens when sneezing, coughing or bearing down. A disc in the neck can cause similar symptoms in the arm.

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Many herniated discs improve with conservative care focused on spinal movement and easing pressure on the nerve. Healing takes time, especially when long periods of sitting keep pressure on the disc. Your chiropractor will tell you if your exam suggests you should see a specialist.

How long does herniated disc treatment take?

It depends on how severe the herniation is, how long you have had symptoms and how your body heals. Some improve over several months, while more involved cases take longer.

What should I avoid with a herniated disc?

Heavy lifting, twisting and long periods of sitting may need to be limited during care, especially long drives without good low back support. Your chiropractor will give you specific guidance.

When should I seek treatment for a herniated disc?

Have it checked if pain travels into your arms or legs, numbness develops, symptoms do not settle, walking becomes difficult or daily movement is increasingly limited. Loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or sudden leg weakness needs emergency care.

Which office offers spinal decompression?

Motorized spinal decompression is offered at Lake Forest. Gentle disc-focused care, including flexion-distraction at San Diego, is part of care at our other offices.