YOUR BACK PAIN
Herniated Disc – Pinched Nerve – Bulging Disc
What is it?
There are many terms used to describe spinal disc pathology and associated pain, such as “herniated disc”, “pinched nerve”, and “bulging disc”, all are used differently and, at times, interchangeably. Unfortunately, healthcare professionals do not agree on a precise definition of any of these terms, and patients may be frustrated when they hear their diagnosis referred to in different terms. The unusually wide range of terms used to describe spinal disc problems (such as ruptured disc, torn disc, slipped disc, collapsed disc, disc protrusion, disc disease, and black disc) can add to the confusion. Regardless of what type of issue you are experiencing, there is one thing you need to know. You have options when it comes to being properly diagnosed and getting the appropriate care to heal from almost all back and neck dis-ease. Surgery should always be your last resort, it is the one option that can not be undone.
Let’s first go through some of the myths and facts when it comes to disc and nerve issues in the spinal column, then we can go through some treatment options available to choose from. Herniated discs, bulging discs, and pinched nerves all affect the nervous system. Unfortunately, it’s not just about pain and other symptoms. To effectively resolve disc issues and avoid future damage (that may lead to the inability to control the bowels, bladder, and sexual potency) you must educate yourself on the facts and myths that are looming around the subject.
Do not be fooled. There are safe, effective treatment options… help and hope, even without surgery.
MYTH: Back pain and discomfort stemming from disc & nerve problems will just “go away” with some rest.
FACT: When dealing with back pain, buttock pain, or leg pain, seek help from a spinal bone and disc specialist immediately. Left untreated, misaligned spinal bones and disc problems can get worse.
MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with a bulging disc, herniated disc, or pinched nerve.
FACT: In severe cases, this problem can lead to the inability to control the bowels, bladder, and sexual potency, along with a slew of other organ issues, leading to embarrassing situations and long-term health concerns.
MYTH: Pain medications can help with problems associated with discs, pinched nerves, and bones that are shifting out of their proper position.
FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, painkillers, pain-killing injections, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications can cover up and mask your symptoms, but they will not cure bulging spinal discs, herniated spinal discs, or pinched nerves.
MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to let the bulging disc recover…
FACT: Staying active can help to relieve the pain and prevent the pain from getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice, based on a recent study in the Netherlands.
MYTH: Surgery is required to fix a bulging disc, herniated disc, or remove pressure from a nerve due to a spinal bone shift.
FACT: NO! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of bulging discs, herniated discs, pinched nerves, spinal misalignments, and curvatures of the spine. It is a new corrective procedure called Non-Surgical Reconstructive Spinal care. Success rates are up to 88%.
MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.”
FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specializes in corrective care of the spine, you can find relief from the core cause, and the symptoms.
MYTH: Getting a disc problem, pinched nerve, or misaligned bone properly diagnosed is expensive.
FACT: Not true, Dr. James Ide, from Painless Chiropractic located in Fenton, MI, uses specialized diagnostic procedures and motion study X-rays to accurately diagnose patients. Finding the root cause of your symptoms and utilizing a custom treatment protocol, referred to as Non-Surgical Reconstructive Spinal Care to treat and correct the underlying issue. Our Fenton Chiropractic office accepts insurance and is happy to say we have many options to help people with special financial needs.
Dr. Ide described his office as “Not your average Chiropractic office” when speaking to the local newspaper. He said the corrective care chiropractic office focuses on rapid corrective care, and though they love having lifetime patients, “our goal is to set up a plan to correct the underlying issue so the same problem doesn’t keep coming up. Then we teach the patient proper spinal hygiene that they can do at home with periodic visits to a chiropractic office for traditional maintenance type chiropractic care”. “It’s like Spinal Care Boot Camp, you go all in and work hard and the efforts pay off, at that point, they can do their traditional care at our office or someplace closer to their home”. When asked what options people have when it comes to seeking relief from their back pain associated with a bulging disc, herniated disc, pinched nerve or shifting of the spinal bones, Dr. Ide said “Well there are really only two options, you can fix the problem or you can mask it. Pain pills mask the pain, and injections are really just pain pills in an injectable form, but longer lasting. The problem with masking the pain is that you can further injure yourself and you put off dealing with the problem, leading to further problems. Surgery doesn’t always work and it limits your future options because it cannot be undone so it should always be a last resort. Physical therapy alone usually gets things moving, and many times helps people feel better, but a few weeks or months after their program is finished, many people experience the same problem again”.
At our Fenton chiropractic office, we work to correct the issue. The way that each patient’s program is set up is based on their particular problem area and patients see great success. We have helped many local Genesee County residents avoid surgery and get their lives back. Catherine B. of Fenton said “My daughter has had back problems ever since she was 10 or 11 and I have taken her to specialists. I learned more at Painless Chiropractic, with the X-rays that they take and the one on one they do with you than I did in 4 years from the other specialists that I took her to. I too have signed up as well as my daughter and I’m getting great results. Thank you so much”.
If you are interested in having your back or neck issues properly diagnosed and corrected, our office is happy to help. We are located inside the Painless Treatment Centers of Michigan Building at 404 Rounds Dr, Fenton, MI 48430. Call now 810-207-6216.