Disc Injury Treatment in Phoenix, AZ

Comprehensive Consultation and Exam

A thorough consultation, examination, and diagnostic imaging are all focused on getting to the root cause of the problem. We perform various exams, including range of motion, orthopedic tests, palpation, and the use of a nerveoscope (spinal temperature), along with taking X-rays to pinpoint the underlying cause and help us tailor care for you. We may recommend an MRI when multiple discs appear to be a problem on X-rays.

Digital X-rays

X-rays allow us to quickly and cost-efficiently see misalignments in the spine, damage in the lower back, and the root cause of the problem, to develop a treatment plan around these root causes.

X-rays are vital as they allow us to identify issues we can’t typically diagnose during an exam, like vertebral position, misalignments, and changes in the bones. They also allow us to assess disc height and the space where the nerves exit the spine to service your body. This information is essential to identify the root cause of your disc injury and develop an effective treatment plan.

Specific Chiropractic Care in Phoenix, AZ

A bulging disc is when the disc’s outer layer weakens and balloons (bulges) outward, rubbing up against adjacent nerves. The disc herniates when the inner gel pushes through the outer layer, which usually causes more significant pain and nerve irritation.

The symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the disc damage, including:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness in the limbs
• Organ and gland dysfunction due to nerve and spinal cord compression

While the conventional approach targets the symptoms, the chiropractic approach targets the root causes of the disc injury. Chiropractic care focuses on improving function through spinal adjustments. One of the side effects of a chiropractic adjustment is pain relief. We also use targeted therapies, such as non-surgical spinal decompression and physical therapy (EMS), to reduce pressure and inflammation around the affected disc.

Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan

Exercises are vital for disc injury relief because they strengthen muscles and improve flexibility while reducing pressure on nerves. They also promote healing by increasing blood flow to the affected area, which helps to manage pain and prevent future injuries.

Weak back muscles leave the spine vulnerable to excessive strain, even during everyday movements, which can ultimately lead to a disc injury. A subluxation can irritate nerves and cause muscle spasms and weakness, decreasing range of motion and affecting disc health.

The best exercises to improve disc health are extension-based exercises focused on pushing the disc forward and away from the spinal cord, like the cobra position in yoga. These exercises are designed to strengthen core muscles, improve spinal stability, and reduce pressure on the spine, which will help injured discs and back pain.

Good posture is crucial for overall health. It will strongly decrease the risk of lower back pain by promoting the use of the spine’s natural protection system and ultimately reducing strain on muscles and joints.

Spinal Decompression in Phoenix, AZ

Spinal discs, also known as intervertebral discs, are involved in low back pain in many ways, such as herniations, degeneration, and irritation of nerve endings. They comprise an outer protective layer of ring-like fibers, called the annulus fibrosus, and an inner gel-filled center, called the nucleus pulposus.

Non-surgical spinal decompression aims to pull apart compressed discs, irritating nearby nerves. This relieves disc pressure and floods the disc with nutrients to promote healing. Spinal decompression is the best way to heal an injured disc.

Repetitive Motion and Stress

It can take months or years of repetitive strain or “wear and tear” to cause disc damage. It is typically a gradual process rather than a sudden event.

Jobs most at risk for disc injury include but are not limited to, construction work, nursing, and warehouse work because they involve heavy lifting, repetitive motions, awkward postures, and prolonged sitting, all of which will strain the spine.

Proper lifting techniques, ergonomic workstations, regular breaks, and maintaining good posture are some of the best ways to prevent disc injuries, especially at work. Strengthening your core and living a healthy lifestyle are other ways to prevent injuries.

If you experience a disc injury at work, immediately seek medical attention, report the injury to your employer, and file a workers’ compensation claim.

Heavy Lifting

Regularly lifting over 20 lbs qualifies as heavy lifting. In terms of training, if you are doing 1-6 repetitions of a certain weight, that is considered heavy lifting. Lifting can cause disc injuries by putting excessive pressure and stress on the discs, leading to herniated or bulging discs.
To lift safely, it’s important to use your legs’ biggest muscle group. Ideally, you will keep your back straight and engage your core while bending your knees. Remember to keep the object closer to your body and avoid twisting or jerking movements. Using a weightlifting belt can also help prevent injuries.

The best way to correct disc injuries caused by improper lifting is the use of the DRX-9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, along with spinal adjustments and physical therapy.

Car Accidents

The forceful impact of a car accident can damage or further damage spinal discs by compressing, twisting, and straining the spine.

After a car accident, our protocol includes:

• Passive physical therapy
• Trigger point injections
• In-house medical evaluation
• Referral for spinal MRI
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Therapeutic massages

It’s essential to get treated right away and follow the treatment plan to the fullest because once the case is settled and you stop treatment, all treatment costs will be out of your pocket and not covered by the party at fault’s insurance. We see countless people who either didn’t do therapy or didn’t complete their therapy, and years later, are worse than ever and suffering in pain from an accident that happened years ago.

We have highly professional and experienced doctors who use the best techniques and forms of treatment to find the root cause of your pains and problems and contain them as best as possible. We are also a one-stop shop, offering medical care, chiropractic care, and physical therapy in one convenient location.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is the degeneration of the spinal discs caused by wear and tear over time. This often leads to pain, stiffness, and possibly radiating pain or numbness into the extremities. Most patients feel pain, stiffness, and potentially radiating pain or numbness in the extremities.

Most commonly, DDD is from wear and tear due to overuse or improper use along with a natural part of aging, but even older and elderly patients will have several healthy discs in their spine while having a handful of degenerative discs, which proves overuse or improper use (posture and biomechanics) is truly the leading cause.

While genetics can play a part in developing degenerative disc disease, it is common in people who are obese, current or past smokers, or those engaged in physically demanding occupations.

Some helpful ways to prevent DDD are maintaining a healthy weight, regularly engaging in low-impact exercises, and not smoking. Other ways include practicing good posture, proper lifting techniques, and core strengthening. While there is no cure, it is vitally important to first slow or even stop its progress with chiropractic care and physical therapy. The next step would be non-surgical spinal decompression or injections.

Respiratory Illness

The flu and bronchitis are the most common respiratory illnesses that cause disc injuries. Sneezing causes a sudden increase in intra-abdominal pressure, which can strain the spine. Usually, a combination of factors causes disc injury. Most people have underlying issues in their discs and later get sick, which exacerbates the preexisting conditions and makes them significantly worse.

When you’re sick, don’t bend over while coughing or sneezing to prevent disc injuries. This combination can be extremely impactful on discs.