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Slipped Disc
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Slipped disc is a condition in which, due to a tear in the outer fibrous ring, the central part of the intervertebral disc is protruding into the spinal canal. Most commonly this occurs in the lowermost part of the spine, especially between the fourth and fifth vertebral bodies and between the fifth vetrebral body and the sacrum. |
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A slipped disc occurs due to the breaking down of the circle of connective tissue with advancing age. This causes a weakness allowing the soft part to swell.
Slipped discs most often affect the lower back and are relatively rare in the chest part of the spine.
It is possible that hard physical labour can increase the likelihood of a slipped disc.
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They are also occasionally seen following trauma such as an injury from a fall or a road traffic accident.
A slipped disc can be symptom free. If it causes pain, it is primarily due to the pressure on the nerve roots, the spinal cord or the cauda equina.
Symptoms of nerve root pressure:
Paralysis of single muscles, possibly with pain radiating to the arms or legs. There may also be a disturbance of feeling in the limbs.
Symptoms of pressure on the spinal cord
Disturbance of feeling, muscle spasms or paralysis in the part of the body below the spinal cord pressure. For example, pressure on the spinal cord in the chest area will cause spasms in the legs but not in the arms.
Pressure on the spinal cord may cause problems with control of the bladder.
Symptoms of pressure on the cauda equina
The symptoms can include loss of control of the bladder function, disturbance of feeling in the rectum and the inside of the thighs and paralysis of both legs. These are serious symptoms and anyone developing them should contact a doctor immediately. |
Careful history taking, vital signs, and orthopedic and neurological testing are standards of practice in chiropractic offices.
Are the reflexes intact? Is there loss of muscle strength or signs of muscle wasting? Is there loss of sensation along an area supplied by a particular nerve?
These are vital questions that the orthopaedic and neurological exam can help answer. Chiropractors utilize other diagnostic procedures that are unique to chiropractic and establish the foundation for a program of care. Chiropractors look carefully at posture and perform a postural analysis of the patient.
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 | They use techniques such as motion and static palpation to determine exact areas of restrictions in spinal joint motion.
They palpate muscles and perform muscle testing, as well as perform tests for pelvic balance and determine whether there is a "short leg". X-rays of the low back are taken, or the chiropractor might send the patient to an x-ray facility for these films. |
Next step for the chiropractor is to analyze the findings of the various tests that have been conducted. With these tests reports he decides whether there is a disc injury or not? If yes then what kind of injury and what is its intensity. There are cases when chiropractic care is not suited to the patient. Particularly in cases where the patient has suffered from excessive damage with advanced loss of strength, sensation, and reflexes. In such a case the chiropractor first refers the patient to a spine surgeon. |
Disc conditions are treated in chiropractic with a gentle program of low-force techniques. Chiropractors who treat disc conditions integrate their low force adjusting techniques in an organized protocol of evaluation and treatment.
Throughout a program of chiropractic care for disc conditions, patients are asked questions regarding their progress and are often given special stretching exercises to do at home.
They may be given instructions on home use of ice and/or heat. Evaluation of progress using neurological and chiropractic tests based on comparison with the initial findings are vital aspects of the chiropractic treatment. |
How can chiropractic help?
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| The purpose of chiropractic care is to locate and correct areas of the spine interfering with the proper nervous system control of your body. Because the intervertebral discs are so close to the spinal cord and nerve roots, disc involvement is quite common in chiropractic cases. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper motion and position of malfunctioning spinal bones, reducing nervous system involvement. If caught before permanent damage, disc tissue often returns to a more normal size and shape by restoring proper motion and position of affected spinal joints.
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At what age can a slipped disc occur?
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| A slipped disc in the lower back is most often seen between the ages of 30 and 50. In the cervical vertebrae around the neck, slipped discs are most often seen between the ages of 40 and 60.
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Aren`t disc problems simply the normal aging process?
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| No. However, many disc problems are the result of years of neglect. Many spinal problems are nonsymptomatic until the advanced stages of degeneration. There are many cases of elderly patients who have maintained their spine throughout their lives who enjoy excellent spinal health and function.
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DISCLAIMER: No individuals, including those under our active care, should use the information, resources or tools contained within to self-diagnose
or self-treat any health-related condition. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your Doctor of Chiropractic
or other licensed health care professional.
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Monahan Chiropractic PA • Stephen Monahan, D.C.
4022 Blanding Blvd. •
Jacksonville, FL 32210 •
Phone: 904-778-7963
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All Rights Reserved
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