AN A-Z OF LUMBAR OR PAIN AND LEG PAIN: DISC INJURY
The disc between each vertebra is there to act as a shock absorber as we bounce along. It’s there to separate the spinal bones so that they don’t rub and wear. When we don’t correct spinal sprains, we allow the discs to wear unevenly and, over time, degeneration of the spine occurs.
A direct injury to the disc happens through sudden movements done with force. Jumping from a roof is one way of hurting the disc. It ruptures in severe cases, and regardless of your adopted position you cannot relieve the pain. There are times when surgery is the only way out.
But if you are lucky, the injury has only allowed the disc to bulge because of stretched ligaments. This is where the experienced chiropractor excels. He has specially built couches where the adjustment is done with minimum movement on your behalf. You really appreciate these plinths when your every movement is agony. The adjustment is direct and very accurate. To your immense relief, the couch can stand you up after the adjustment, and you can walk away knowing that there is life after your first careless rupture! But be careful.
This herniation injury needs ‘babying’ for months to allow time for the soft disc matter to reabsorb. I recommend that patients wear an elastic support belt to give the disc a safety margin for movement.
Playing tennis in this condition, I believe, is the ultimate in insanity. These discs can bulge when pressured at the wrong angle, and, before you know it, you are back to walking like a crab again. (We call that situation an antalgic spine).
Do not despair, help is available from your chiropractor. When patients feel they can depend on us to straighten them up again, it is hard to make them aware of the gravity of the situation. You must take responsibility for looking after your own back when it comes to sport, driving, exercising, sex, even coughing and sneezing. Do the latter by dropping your head back a little and keep your head straight on.
Our treatment for disc cases is conservative and is a better bet than possible costly hospital care, irreversible surgery and real pain.
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