Tallahassee Chiropractor | Tallahassee chiropractic care | FL | Herniated Discs

LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

When a lumbar disc herniates, it usually causes a painful condition called

sciatica. This is pain going down the back of the buttock, thigh, and sometimes the leg, ankle, and foot. It may be accompanied by numbness or weakness.

The good news is that not all cases of lumbar disc herniation require surgery. Dr. Dwyer is trained in Cox flexion-distraction techniques. Dr. Dwyer says she has lost count of the number of patients whom she has helped to avoid disc surgery. 

Our acupuncture physicians can apply their techniques to eliminate much of the pain resulting from the herniation while it is healing.

CERVICAL DISC HERNIATION

When a cervical disc herniates, it commonly causes pain in the neck and shoulderblade which radiates into the arm and hand. The illustration above shows that the location of the radiating pain can usually predict where the herniation is to be found on MRI.  This pain is commonly accompanied by numbness and tingling and sometimes weakness in the arm and hand.  Many patients with cervical disc herniation are able to avoid surgery with chiropractic care, home traction,  and acupuncture.

A bulging cervical disc is a much more common condition, with less radiating pain. It may be caused by a whiplash injury in a car accident or from degeneration of the spine over time. Bulging discs usually respond very well to chiropractic care.