Lower back pain affects tens of millions of people in the United States and is a major contributor to missed workdays. There are several reasons for it, but one of the most common is a herniated disc. Also known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc, this ailment has potential implications for the spinal nerves, so we at the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge want people to understand why they should take treatment seriously.
The spinal discs are shock absorbers located in between the flat bodies of most vertebrae. They have tough fibrous outer rings and gelatinous centers. Discs become dehydrated with age and suffer wear and tear throughout a person’s life. When the gelatinous center pushes against the fibrous walls or leaks out, the disc is herniated. The resulting pressure on the surrounding tissues causes pain and triggers the body’s inflammatory response, and nerves branching out of the spinal cord nearby could be compressed. This would result in pain or numbness along the pinched nerve, which could extend the length of the arm or leg.
Herniated discs can occur as a result of acute injuries or wear-and-tear, but they are more common in people over the age of sixty. Although frequent in the lower back, they can occur higher up. Chiropractic adjustments can help put the spinal column back into alignment, and we can use techniques such as low-level laser therapy to reduce painful swelling. We can also advise patients on nutrition to ensure their spinal discs get the vitamins and minerals they need to stay supple, and on strengthening exercises that will allow their back muscles to take on more of the weight bearing down on their discs.
If you suffer from back or neck pain, contact ACT Wellness Center at 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia by calling 703-491-9355 or visiting ACT Wellness. Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo, or Dr. C, has been designated Prince William County's best chiropractor for ten years in a row.
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