One common cause of back pain is a herniated disc. This condition can be treated by a trained experienced chiropractor. If you live in the Portland or Beaverton area of Oregon, The Wellness Center PDX is the chiropractor for you. 

So, what exactly is a herniated disc and how can we help?

The rubbery cushion that lies between the vertebrae of your spine is known as your vertebral discs. They have a firm sturdy exterior that surrounds a soft jelly-like center. A herniated disc happens when there is a tear in the tough outer portion and the softer inner part pushes through that tear. 

This protruding gel center often irritates nearby nerves causing the symptoms that drive you to seek treatment. However, this is not always the case as some herniated discs present no noticeable symptoms. Still, even if a herniated disc does not present symptoms immediately, it will eventually cause problems that should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent further damage. 

The ravages of time are the most common cause of disc herniation. Gradually, the discs degenerate as we age, and normal wear and tear can cause them to rupture. Furthermore, as you age, the water content of these discs is reduced through dehydration and evaporation which makes them even more likely to tear and rupture. 

Often, the cause can be difficult to pinpoint. However, some common causes include lifting heavy objects incorrectly – using the muscles of the back rather than the legs – and turning or twisting while lifting. A rarer cause is a trauma incurred during a blow to the back or a fall. 

One of the most common symptoms of a herniated disc is back pain (spine pain). They most often occur in the cervical or lumbar spine, the neck and lower back respectively. It often causes pain not only in the back and neck(neck pain) but also radiating down the arms and referred to the legs(leg pain). Moreover, herniated discs can create weakness, tingling, numbness, and loss of mobility and/or stiffness. 

With more than 150 proven chiropractic techniques at our disposal, our doctors and staff can help to ease the symptoms of a herniated disc. Chiropractic Treatments such as spinal decompression, manual manipulation, therapeutic massage, and mobilization – among others – have been shown to relieve a lot of the pain, numbness, and lost mobility caused by disc herniation.