Can A Herniated Lumbar Disc Be "Cured"?

The most common cause for a true pinched nerve is herniated disc, which is sometimes, although not accurately called a slipped disc, and is the most common cause of severe back pain and sciatica. A disc becomes herniated when the jelly doughnut-like inside ruptures out to the point that it “pinches” the nerve. Special testing such as CT Scans or MRIs are recommended to assess the severity of the disc disorder, and can be very helpful in determining the best treatment plan. Your Doctor of Chiropractic may use a special technique to treat your pinched nerve, such as traction, and specialized spinal rehabilitation exercise and stretching programs.

Can A Chrirobractor "Cure" A Herniated Lumbar Disk?
Chiropractic health care is a branch of the healing arts based on the scientific fact that our nervous system controls or influences every cell in our body. Interference to the nervous system (caused by the vertebral subluxation complex) will effect how the nervous system relates to the cells to which it travels. The Chiropractic model of health is centered on the philosophy that the human body, being knit together in a wonderful way, will heal itself given the right opportunity and circumstances.

The term ‘Chiropractic” comes from the Greek words “cheiro and praktikos” meaning ‘done by hand”. The Chiropractic model of health is centered on the philosophy that the human body, being knit together in a wonderful way, will heal itself given the right opportunity and circumstances. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC5) essentially promote the healing process by minimizing nerve interference.

When do you need a Chiropractor?

Wellness Care encompasses several aspects of overall health, which can be, physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. The purpose of the Chiropractic approach to health care (the wellness model) is to uncover the cause of your health condition, not merely cover up your symptoms. The absence of symptoms (pain) does not equal good health! The clearest way to illustrate this is by reviewing the statistics on heart attacks. Research reveals that in approximately 33% of all heart attacks the first symptom of the attack is death!

Most Americans are unaware that today’s Doctors of Chiropractic undergo an intense educational process that is similar to medical doctors over the first two years of schooling. Medical students and chiropractic students alike spend a tremendous amount of time studying anatomy, physiology, neurology, and other “basic sciences”. The main difference during the first two years is that medical students have a heavy emphasis on pharmacology (study of prescription drugs) and chiropractic students emphasize nutrition and natural alternatives to drugs.

The programs take a different turn after the first two years. Medical students prepare for their “trade” by rotating each month to a different medical specialty such as pediatrics, orthopedics and family medicine.

The second two years of education for chiropractic students focuses on learning the tools of their “trade”; manual and physical methods of treatment. This is learned through chiropractic manipulative therapy (CMT or “adjusting”), physiotherapy devices (such as electrical muscle stimulation and therapeutic ultrasound) and rehabilitative techniques. Both doctors of medicine and chiropractic are very well trained to treat their respective patients utilizing the skills of their profession. The most promising and encouraging changes in today’s treatment environment is that many healthcare clinics provide both chiropractic and medical care for their patients!