Did you know that disc injuries can occur in your neck, mid-back (also known as the thoracic spine), and the lower back (also known as the lumbar spine)? Over 3 million disc injuries occur each year in the United States, and low back pain is one of the leading causes of disability. In fact, some statistics show that anywhere between 50-80% of the population over 40 years old have the start of bulging discs without symptoms yet.
The vertebral discs are gel-like cushions that are sandwiched between each vertebra. They act as shock absorbers for our everyday wear and tear and stress on our bodies. They are comprised of a nucleus gel center and rings of ligaments that surround the gel, called the annulus. These layers of annulus help keep the gel nucleus in the center, not only allowing shock absorption but also creating space for where the nerves exit the spinal cord and extend to the surrounding areas.
We live under the pressure of gravity, which helps us stay grounded here on Earth; however, the compressional force is putting tension and pressure on each of those discs. Then you add slips, falls, repetitive work routines, motor vehicle injuries, sport injuries, and the discs begin to degenerate, injure, weaken, and buckle. This can manifest as stiffness, chronic pain, and, in severe cases, radiating pain into the limbs. These injuries can transition from manageable to unbearable quickly, which is why it is essential to receive evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation With Your Doctor, Thorough Chiropractic Examination, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays If Necessary, First Treatment & MRI Review.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. See Exactly What Is Causing Your Pain
Step one is to better understand each and every patient through our thorough consultation process. This leads to a comprehensive spinal examination and any needed digital x-rays to better understand the problem at hand.
2. Get a Customized Gameplan To Fix Your Problem For Good
After the consultation, spinal examination and any needed spinal x-rays, a specific game plan to fix the problem is recommended which may include spinal adjustments, non-surgical decompression therapy, Softwave tissue regenerative therapy, orthotics, home exercises, or even possibly a referral to an appropriate provider if it is not a condition Dr. O’Keefe feels he can help.
3. Get Back To Everything You Love With The People You Love The Most
Enjoy the benefits of following your specific game plan that you have been seeking. Find joy in playing pickle ball again, bask in the excitement to get outside and garden, or perhaps feel the energy of sleeping well once again.
How We Treat Disc Injury in Clear Lake, WI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
If you or someone you know is experiencing a disc injury, it is essential to get evaluated as soon as possible to determine if conservative treatment is a viable approach to alleviate symptoms and address the underlying cause of the problem. We begin with a comprehensive consultation to gain a deeper understanding of your history of the problem and ask questions to determine if this injury may have occurred months to years earlier. We decide what makes it better, what makes it worse, and how it impacts your daily life.
After gaining a better understanding of the details, we can then determine which orthopedic and neurological tests, muscle strength tests, reflex tests, and proper digital X-rays are needed to precisely identify the injured disc and effectively treat this condition. The more specific we can be in targeting the injured area, the better the outcomes will be compared to throwing more medications and more invasive procedures at the situation.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Clear Lake, WI
Chiropractic care can be an effective conservative treatment for injured discs. Typically, a subluxated vertebra has occurred well before a disc becomes injured, and the chiropractor is trained to identify which vertebrae are subluxated. When a vertebra is subluxated, two or more vertebrae are not moving as they were intended to, which can lead to abnormal wear and tear on the disc and surrounding tissues.
As a chiropractor, we make adjustments to subluxated vertebrae to restore proper motion to the affected areas of the spine, thereby improving mechanics that help reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and aid in the healing of injured discs. When true healing can occur, it reduces the chances of the injury recurring, which is often the case with other methods of treatment that rely on painkillers and muscle relaxers.
Digital X-Rays
In our office, we take digital X-rays. To see is to know. In the case of spine problems, we are gaining a better understanding. Without imaging, we are losing critical information for each patient. Digital X-rays produce a photo of the spine quickly, which allows us to begin treatment more efficiently for that patient. X-rays enable us to visualize the vertebrae and other bony structures on the film. When we can see the vertebra, we can also see the space where the disc should be. In disc injuries, we commonly see a narrowed space or wedging where the injured disc is located. There are other clues and signs on the X-ray that give us essential information for that patient. These clues and signs, which may include surrounding degenerative changes, help us determine whether the problem is more recent or more chronic in nature. This information enables us to provide realistic expectations not only for outcomes but also for the amount of time it may take to recover from this condition fully.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Oftentimes, while under a treatment plan, it is beneficial for a patient to undergo a therapeutic exercise plan at home. As mentioned before, subluxated vertebrae often occur well before a disc becomes injured. As we begin to restore normal motion to those areas that are not functioning as intended, it is also essential to strengthen the muscles surrounding the injured area.
Oftentimes, these exercises may include core stability exercises. These exercises focus on the entire spine and are equally essential to sustain long-lasting, positive improvements.
Spinal Decompression
A disc comprises the ligament layers that surround the internal jelly-like nucleus, and there is not much for blood flow from the outside to the inside of the disc. Because there is limited blood flow, the movement of the disc is crucial in helping to pull nutrients and hydration toward the center of the disc. Gravity, slips, falls, and everyday wear and tear on our spine compress the discs in our spine day after day, hour after hour. Just like a jelly donut, if enough compression occurs, the jelly inside the donut needs to go somewhere. In the case of a disc, this leads to a disc bulge or, worse yet, a herniation.
We use non-surgical spinal decompression therapy in our office to unload and pump those injured and compressed discs. The treatment utilizes computerized tables, each set explicitly for each patient; it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Angles, pounds used, and positioning are all critical to the success of each patient. The computerized table has a pull-and-release effect on the discs, creating internal pressure within the disc to help absorb nutrients and maintain hydration, both of which are crucial in the healing process.
Softwave Therapy
Another therapy that we utilize to help the healing process is called Softwave tissue regeneration therapy. It uses hydroelectric sound wave technology to stimulate blood flow, promote cell healing, and reduce inflammation in the affected area.
We include this therapy in our protocol for healing because it has been shown to help aid and improve the time to recovery.
Common Causes of Disc Injury in Clear Lake, WI
Work Injuries
In the Clear Lake area, numerous job opportunities are available, including factory work and farming. These repetitive factory jobs, which involve lifting, bending, moving in the same direction, and climbing in and out of tractors, as well as bouncing around the field, or enduring hard laborious work day in and day out, stress the discs of our spine.
Ergonomics at work is critical. It is essential to ensure your workstation is set up correctly. Proper footwear, bending at the knees, and not the hips, are a few easy tips to remember to reduce strain on the discs. If you do get injured at work, make sure to report it immediately and seek consultation with your chiropractor. Any injury must be handled and cared for appropriately and promptly to prevent future complications.
Auto Accidents
Many times, those involved in motor vehicle accidents walk away feeling fine or uninjured. However, research shows that a vehicle traveling at only 5mph and impacted can sustain ligament and whiplash trauma. This is another critical example, similar to a work injury, where it is paramount to get evaluated for an injury. The correct protocol for healing can be implemented, making it easier to heal sooner rather than later.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease are both chronic conditions, meaning the problem has been slowly accumulating in these areas. Many times, they are chalked up as an aging problem; however, we are seeing these issues in younger populations.
Of course, when areas of the spine are subluxated and not moving as they were intended due to slips and falls, wear and tear from childhood on, if these subluxations are never corrected, they will continue to cause advanced degeneration in the spine. The quicker these damaged areas can be evaluated and treated, the better the outcomes will be, not only now but also for the patient’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can chiropractors in Clear Lake, WI help with disc problems?
Absolutely. We help individuals with these problems every day in our clinic and offer some of the most advanced non-surgical and conservative treatments to help people heal naturally.
Is it safe to go to a chiropractor with a herniated disc?
Yes. Often, it is recommended to start with the most conservative treatment first, before proceeding to the more invasive and usually more expensive treatments.
How long does it take for a disc injury to heal?
This can significantly depend on the extent of the injury sustained and the duration of the injury. Additionally, factors such as lifestyle, work, home life, and stress can also influence each person’s healing time frame.
Can chiropractors in Clear Lake, WI, cause harm?
The good news is that more often than not, a chiropractor will not make things worse. If an injury is severe enough, the person may not experience any noticeable change, and this may be the time for a more invasive procedure or treatment to step in. However, for the most part, chiropractic care is a very safe and effective non-invasive approach to healing these injuries.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation With Your Doctor, Thorough Chiropractic Examination, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays If Necessary, First Treatment & MRI Review.