October 5, 2024
Home » Herniated Disc Protocols Implemented For Spinal Decompression

How does non-surgical spinal decompression compare with traditional surgery to improve sensory abnornalities for individuals with herniated discs?


Introduction

The spinal column provides flexibility and stability to the body, consisting of vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve roots, and intervertebral discs. These components work with surrounding tissues, ligaments, and muscles, enabling pain-free mobility. However, activities or work that place excessive stress on the spine can cause damage, leading to misaligned discs and nerve root irritation. This can result in radiating pain in the lower extremities, which may be mistaken for other conditions such as low back pain, leg pain, or sciatica. This article will focus on the pain-like symptoms associated with herniated discs and how non-surgical spinal decompression can help people regain sensory function. We work with certified medical providers who use our patients’ valuable information to treat individuals suffering from herniated discs in their lumbar spine and inform them about non-surgical treatments to regain sensory function in their lower extremities. We encourage patients to ask essential questions and seek education from our associated medical providers about their condition. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., provides this information as an educational service. Disclaimer

 

The Symptoms Associated With Herniated Discs

 

Are you experiencing numbness or tingling down your leg that affects your walking? Does twisting or turning make your lower back uncomfortable? Or are you suffering from low back pain caused by sciatic nerve pain, making it difficult to work or do activities? Many people don’t realize they have herniated discs until repetitive movements cause wear and tear on the spine or constant compression causes the disc to crack, allowing the inner layer to protrude and press on the spinal nerve roots. Research studies reveal that herniated discs can result from various changes that cause pain-like symptoms, including limited trunk flexion, sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities, low back pain, radicular pain, sciatica, and intense distress when sitting. Herniated discs are common, and the inflammatory response from surrounding nerve roots can cause immense pain. As additional research shows, autoimmune responses released by the nucleus pulposus play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of sciatic pain and lumbar radiculopathy.


The Causes Of Herniated Disc-Video

Herniated discs can cause discomfort and pain depending on their severity and location. Several factors contribute to their development, including improper lifting of heavy objects, age, weight, and physical inactivity. Repetitive motions, constant stress, and autoimmune conditions also play a role. Disc herniation impacts the spinal structure and can cause sensory abnormalities in the lower extremities, muscular pain in the arms, back, foot, or leg, and affect the quality of life. However, non-surgical treatments are available to reduce disc herniation and restore the spine’s mobility, flexibility, and stability.


Treatments To Restore Sensory Function

If home remedies such as rest, hot and cold packs, and over-the-counter medications do not work, non-surgical treatments can effectively reduce the effects of disc herniation. These treatments are also safe, gentle, and cost-effective for many people who want relief without the financial burden. Chiropractic care, muscle energy techniques (MET), and spinal decompression are examples of non-surgical treatments that can help target the source of pain, reactivate the body’s natural healing process, and realign the body from herniated discs and spinal subluxation. These treatments can restore sensory function affected by herniated discs by addressing these issues.

 

Spinal Decompression

 

When dealing with herniated discs, many people turn to spinal decompression to alleviate pain and find relief in their spine. Studies have shown that spinal decompression involves using gentle traction to create negative pressure within the affected herniated disc. This can increase hydration and reduce pressure on the nerve root, easing the pain signals that affect the lower extremities. In “The Ultimate Spinal Decompression,” Dr. Eric Kaplan, D.C., FIAMA, and Dr. Perry Bard, D.C., explained that the duration of treatment for spinal decompression for herniated discs can vary depending on the severity. Mild herniation may require longer treatment, while patients with multiple herniations in different spinal locations may need additional sessions. However, the treatment should effectively reduce sensory abnormalities and relieve pain for the individual.

 


References

Al Qaraghli, M. I., & De Jesus, O. (2020). Lumbar Disc Herniation. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/

Choi, J., Lee, S., & Hwangbo, G. (2015). Influences of spinal decompression therapy and general traction therapy on the pain, disability, and straight leg raising of patients with intervertebral disc herniation. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 27(2), 481–483. doi.org/10.1589/jpts.27.481

Cosamalón-Gan, I., Cosamalón-Gan, T., Mattos-Piaggio, G., Villar-Suárez, V., García-Cosamalón, J., & Vega-Álvarez, J. A. (2021). Inflamación en la hernia del disco intervertebral. Neurocirugía, 32(1), 21–35. doi.org/10.1016/j.neucir.2020.01.001

Kaplan, E., & Bard, P. (2023). The Ultimate Spinal Decompression. JETLAUNCH.

Ma, X. (2015). A New Pathological Classification of Lumbar Disc Protrusion and Its Clinical Significance. Orthopaedic Surgery, 7(1), 1–12. doi.org/10.1111/os.12152

Disclaimer

General Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Herniated Disc Protocols Implemented For Spinal Decompression" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr. Alex Jimenez

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols, and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, we use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans," Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems.
Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor, passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility.

Purpose & Passions:
I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive, cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. In addition, we focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries.

We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training, and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages.

As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises, and advanced agility treatment options. In addition, we have teamed up with the cities premier doctors, therapists, and trainers to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities.

We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs.

Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, unwanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. As a result, please live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living.

With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, regardless of age, ability, or disability.

View all posts
Certified Functional Medicine Doctor El Paso