Having a herniated disc can put a serious damper on the way you live your life, but having incorrect information won’t make that any better. Let’s take a look at some common misconceptions about herniated discs and straighten out the facts.
Imaging like MRIs will show where the cause of the back pain is.
While there is advanced imaging technology that allows even the smallest of changes in discs, did you know that most adults actually have disc abnormalities, and that this increases with age?
Just because you have a bulging or degenerated disc doesn’t mean that’s where your specific pain is coming from. You may have had that for years!
Movement will make the disc injury worse.
You might not want to get out there and hit the links just yet, but movement such as certain exercises and physical therapy can actually help your back or neck heal. Whether through manual spinal manipulation, gentle stretching, or certain movements, often the disc can be allowed to slip back into place and return to its proper position with the right treatment.
Discs can simply slip out of place.
The disc, or the “cushion” in between vertebrae, are a soft tissue that is housed within a thick outer layer which is attached to the vertebrae both above and below it. The discs are attached quite firmly by two ligaments that are thick and strong, one in front and one in back. It is almost physically impossible for these to slip out. What happens is they actually herniate, meaning they begin to protrude. With a disc, this can happen in several ways, most commonly where the gelatinous inside pushes out into the harder outer layer, or the tough outer layer presses outwards, which can often put pressure on nerves, causing severe pain.
With a slipped disc, you are permanently disabled or limited in movement.
A lot of patients worry the a herniated disc means they’ll never get back to the physical activities they love. Some have trouble with motions as simple as sitting or bending over, and others miss playing golf, fixing things around the house, or exercising.
The good news is that there are treatments available that may be able to reverse this painful condition, and allow for your spine to heal so you can get back to what you love to do. Which leads us to the biggest myth about herniated discs…
Surgery is the only option for herniated discs (and the best option).
Surgery is certainly one of the more talked about treatments for a herniated disc, but is it really the only one? Is it even the best? Imagine being able to return to the activities you love without having gone under the knife, missing days or even weeks of your life in downtime, and without the associated risks (not to mention the price tag!).
Alternative (all-natural) treatment options include:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Spinal adjustment
- Massage therapy
- Spinal decompression
- Physical therapy combined with exercise
To learn more about our treatment options for herniated discs in St Petersburg, call us today at (727) 519-3757 to schedule a free consultation.