Your vertebral column has discs between vertebrae bones that act as shock absorbers. When something goes
wrong with this disc it is commonly referred to as a slipped disc. Even though the disc does not “slip”, this term
has stuck for a long time. A better term would be herniated disc, as the softer inside material of the disc is
pushed out of the harder external layer.
This can happen due to many reasons, including being overweight, poor posture, sudden trauma, or
degeneration due to old age. The person might even develop a herniated disc after sneezing or coughing. The
best doctor to consult when you are suffering from a slipped disc would be a specialist like Wirth Chiropractor in
Greenville, NC.
How does Chiropractor Diagnose a Slipped Disc?
When you consult a chiropractor initially, he will thoroughly review your medical history, give you a full
physical examination, and he will do certain neurological and orthopedic tests. The chiropractor will be
checking to see:
If your reflexes are normal
Whether there is any sign of wasting or weakness in muscles
Whether you have lost any sensation along a nerve path
The chiropractor will also review and evaluate your posture, and might order scans or x-rays to confirm his
findings. You may think that you could have some of this yourself but you have no idea how much knowledge a
chiropractor has about proper body movement, bones, nerves, muscles, and so on. The course you were on was
not working; the course you will soon be on will be the correct one.
Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC will thoroughly evaluate your full spine and neck area. The main thing he will be
looking for is any issues with your spine that is causing you pain. Sometimes the pain might be in the leg or
hand, but its cause could be a ruptured disc in your spine. After reviewing all of your medical history and a
thorough physical examination, the chiropractor will diagnose if you have slipped disc or if your pain is caused
due to some other issue.
Chiropractic Treatment Options for a Slipped Disc
Wirth Chiropractic in Greenville, NC will design a customized treatment plan to ease symptoms of your slipped disc.
The treatment plan could include spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercises, and manual therapy. One of the
popular chiropractic treatment techniques for slipped disc is flexion-distraction technique. Here a special table
is used for gently stretching the spine to relieve pressure on the nerves.
Even though the chiropractor might gently massage the painful area, it will not aggravate the pain. Treatment
will also be based on the type of pain you are experiencing, your overall health, and whatever is best suited for
the level of activity you engage in on a daily basis.