DISC INJURIES
Spinal disc injuries can happen anywhere in your spine from your neck to mid back and down to your lower back. Spinal discs have two parts: the elastic outer shell and an inner jelly like substance. What people don’t know is your discs can handle a whole lot of pressure and load without a problem, BUT some types of pressure can strain or irritate the outer shell of the disc.
Spinal disc changes happen across our lifetime as there are changes with activity, age and spinal structures. The good thing is our spine ADAPTS to cope with change, this is why some people can be told they have spinal disc injury without actually having pain - which again is normal and should not be feared!
Although sometimes there is a particular irritation or injury which causes pain associated with a disc injury. This can be anything from an awkward reach, a gym injury, someone sneezing or even a car accident.
What you may feel if you have a disc injury;
Intermittent or continuous back pain, made worse by coughing, sneezing or standing for extended periods of time.
Back or neck muscle spasms.
Numbness or tingling that runs into the back of the leg, even down to the foot or down the neck into the arm/hands.
Weakness in the legs or arms.
Decreased reflexes at the knee, ankle or elbow.
Changes in bladder or bowel function.
Types of disc injuries:
Disc strain and sprain - this is due to a sustained or excessive load applied to the body.
Degenerative disc disease - common to see this on X-ray with bony spurs. This one is mostly aggravated by activity or sitting for long periods of time.
Disc Herniation - this is the one which can present with sciatica pain. This is when the soft jelly like substance is pushed out of the disc and this can interfere with the close by structures, most commonly the SPINAL NERVES.
Ways you can help yourself at home;
If you are experiencing lower back pain;
Improving lumbar lordosis can help with maintaining good posture for the lower back and potentially limit further injury. I have a movement that you can try at home - even in bed! It is called pelvic tilts.
Place your hand in a diamond shape, thumbs toward your belly button and index fingers towards your pubic bone. Now imagine there is a marble in there and imagine moving the 'marble' to your index fingers and then to your thumbs. After 5 both ways; stop the marble in the center; This should be neutral.
If you are experiencing neck pain;
It is important to keep the posture correct as most people have an anterior head posture. Have a look in the mirror and see if your head is over your shoulders or your chin is higher than the base of your skull / hairline. A movement to help improve your posture and potentially reduce pain is to do chin tucks;
AKA the double chin. Keeping your eyes level, bring your chin back to lengthen the back of your neck, hold for 10 or so seconds
Disc injuries can be seen on MRI’s and the best course of management is conservative care. We have a table specifically designed for treating disc injuries. Our table gently flexes and extends the lower back, which is likely to help remove pressure from irritated and affected nerves involved and disc pain.
If you are suffering with a spinal disc injury or lower back / neck pain, book a consult to see how we at FORM Chiropractic can help.
We service northern suburbs including Edgewater, Joondalup, Woodvale, Kingsley, Padbury, Mullaloo, Ocean Reef, Craigie, Beldon, Heathridge, Iluka, Connolly, Currambine, Kinross, Carramar, Tapping, Banksia Grove, Ashby, Singra, Wanneroo, Hocking, Wangara, Darch, Lansdale, Greenwood, Hillarys, Sorrento and Duncraig.
Call or text us on 0497 358 214
Email us at formchiro@gmail.com
And visit us at 13/1 The Gateway, Edgewater