Degenerative Disc Disease

Herniated discs are a common problem, and one of the leading causes of lower back pain. Besides causing local soreness, they may pinch one of the sciatic nerves, causing shooting pain or numbness down a patient’s leg. At the ACT Wellness Center in Woodbridge, we provide safe, fast-acting relief for people who are suffering from herniated discs, but treatment may vary depending on whether the disc has suffered an acute injury or long-term degeneration.

 

The spinal discs function as shock absorbers and help to keep pressure off the spinal joints. They are made up of a gel-like center, called the nucleus pulposus, and an outer ring of fibers, called the annulus fibrosus. In a person with degenerative disc disease, the nucleus pulposus loses water, making the disc less effective at absorbing shocks and putting it at risk of becoming deformed. Small tears in the annulus fibrosus cause it to release proteins that trigger inflammation, and changes in the nucleus pulposus’s shape may cause it to bulge outward, compressing nearby nerves.

 

The causes of disc degeneration are not fully understood, but lifestyle modifications can ease pressure on the spinal discs. Keeping the core muscles strong will allow them to share the discs’ burden, and maintaining good posture will keep them from straining. We can provide chiropractic adjustments to spinal discs that are out of place and reduce inflammation through treatments such as low level laser therapy and pulsed electromagnetic fields. We can also provide patients with a nutritional analysis that will inform more individualized preventive treatments.

 

If you suffer from back pain or are interested in preventive care, visit Dr. Carmelo Caratozzolo at the ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Road, Woodbridge, Virginia. Call 703-491-9355.

Bones of the Spine

The nerves to our limbs all pass through the spine. One of our foundational theories at ACT Wellness Center in Woodridge is that the health of the body depends on the spine being healthy and properly aligned. We offer several kinds of treatments to ensure patients do not suffer from subluxations, but to fully understand their choices patients will need a basic understanding of how the spine works.

The spinal column is a complicated structure comprised of the spinal nerves, their protective membranes, shock absorbing rubbery discs, and a series of connected bones. The bones, called vertebrae, are flat discs that stack on top of each other and have arch-shaped protrusions in back, which the nerves of the spinal cord run through. They also have joints in back by which they connect to each other. The top seven vertebrae are the neck bones and are also called cervical vertebrae. On top is the axis vertebra, which plays a vital role in moving the head up and down, and below it is the axis vertebra, which allows the head to pivot.

The upper back is comprised of the twelve thoracic vertebrae. They have additional joints by which they attach to the ribs. The lower back is made up of the five lumbar vertebrae, which are the largest vertebrae and bear the most weight. Below them are the sacrum and the coccyx, two structures each made up of fused vertebrae without spongy discs between them. The sacrum connects to the hip bones, while the coccyx or tailbone dangles below and also anchors pelvic muscles. Nerves to the legs pass through the sacrum.

We would love to help you feel better now! If you are in need of a chiropractic adjustment in Woodbridge, VA, come visit us! Dr. Caratozzolo of ACT Wellness Center is a Certified Chiropractic Extremity Practitioner (CCEP) and a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. Dr. Caratozzolo offers a multitude of services that sets him apart. To schedule an appointment at ACT Wellness Center, 14111 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge, VA, call us at  703-491-9355 or visit ACT Wellness.