How to Know if You Have a Herniated or Bulging Disc
An intervertebral disc is a circular piece of cushioning tissue that rests between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each individual disc has a tough cartilage outer layer that covers a soft, jelly-like center. Overtime, these discs start to naturally degenerate with age, and the cartilage may stiffen due to dehydration.
A herniated disc, also known as a “ruptured” or “slipped” disc, is when the outer layer of cartilage cracks and exposes the soft inner cartilage. As the inner cartilage protrudes from the disc, it may cause irritation or painful inflammation to the nerve root. Herniated discs are commonly caused by wear and tear or spinal trauma.
Alternatively, when a disc is damaged by an injury, poor posture, or inactivity, it may bulge and push back into one side of the spinal canal. This can cause extreme pain and even numbness in your fingers or arms.
If you’re suffering from a herniated or bulging disc, it’s important to seek medical assistance and explore your non-surgical options with a chiropractor or physical therapist. You may be surprised at how efficiently spinal decompression therapy can treat your symptoms and alleviate your pain!
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal Decompression Therapy is a non-surgical back treatment option that uses an FDA-approved machine to gently stretch the spine. A chiropractor or physical therapist can use this machine to produce negative pressure that may retract a patient’s bulging or herniated discs, allowing them to heal naturally. This treatment plan reportedly reduces chronic back pain by 85%.
The Process of Spinal Decompression
During your therapy session, a chiropractor or physical therapist fixes a harness around your pelvis and trunk. Depending on their suggestion, you can lie face down or face up on the table. Your chiropractor or physical therapist will operate the computer based on your specific needs and stretch your spine accordingly. Therapy sessions are typically 30 minutes long and the entire treatment program may last 1 to 3 months depending on the severity of the conditions.
Schedule an Appointment with a Spinal Decompression Expert
At Options Rehab, our Essex County spinal decompression experts can provide you with exceptional service and treatments to relieve your herniated or bulging discs. We use the Antalgic-Trak®, which is considered the most advanced Spinal Decompression machine currently on the market, to precisely target and treat a patient’s pain location.
If you’re interested in trying Spinal Decompression Therapy, contact Options Rehab at (973) 241-8518 to schedule your first appointment today!
