Lumbar disc injuries can cause significant back pain and discomfort, affecting daily life. Fortunately, Gonstead Chiropractic care offers a specialized approach to effectively treat these issues.
~What Are Lumbar Disc Injuries?~
Lumbar disc injuries involve damage to the intervertebral discs in the lower spine, often resulting in pain and restricted mobility. Common causes include trauma, degeneration, poor posture, heavy lifting, and repetitive motion.
Symptoms
Lower back pain
Radicular Pain (pain radiating down the leg)
Numbness or tingling in the legs (usually caused by an inflamed spinal nerve)
Muscle weakness (due to limited spinal nerve function)
Limited flexibility & range of motion - muscle guarding to protect an injured joint
The Gonstead method starts with a detailed exam to find the root cause of the problem, including:
Case history
Visualization
Instrumentation (Nervoscope)
Static & motion palpation
Spinal X-Rays
~Misconception About Disc Injuries~
Where the disc herniation is does not necessarily mean that is where the underlying problem is, sometimes it is the direct sight of the problem, but not always.
Example 1: L5 disc herniation with L5 vertebrae misalignment & dysfunction that caused that disc to herniate.
Example 2: L5 disc herniation with underlying foundational pelvis problem (particularly with a lot of rotation) --> put a lot of compensatory torque on L5 disc directly above pelvis and caused it to wear out and herniate over time.
With this example, this is often the sight of surgical intervention with a complete discectomy, microdiscectomy or even sometimes surgical fusions however results are limited because the true problem was never corrected.
~Misconception About MRIs~
A common misconception is that an MRI is always necessary to diagnose lumbar disc injuries. While MRIs provide detailed images of soft tissues, they don’t always offer the needed mechanical and specific joint assessment needed for effective care.
Why Gonstead Chiropractors Don't Rely on MRIs
As a Gonstead Chiropractor, my focus is on the spine's structure and its impact on the nervous system. MRIs, which are non-weight bearing images, often show details that aren’t directly actionable for chiropractic adjustments. In contrast, standing X-rays are weight-bearing images that provide much more clinical insight than non-weight bearing MRI images from a chiropractic perspective. They allow us to see how the spine supports the body’s weight and helps in identifying specific vertebrae needing adjustment. This precision is crucial for effective care and to correct the problem and not just manage it.
Clinical Examination Over MRI
A thorough clinical examination often reveals the exact location of a disc bulge. The specificity of a Gonstead clinical exam allows for diagnosing and determining the best course of treatment without solely relying on MRI imaging. Moreover, the precise size of a disc bulge (e.g., 2mm vs. 7mm) isn’t always clinically relevant. Some individuals experience very minimal pain with a 7mm bulge, while others may have excruciating pain from a 2mm bulge. This variability underscores the importance of a comprehensive clinical evaluation over just imaging results.
Gonstead Chiropractic uses precise adjustments to target only the problematic vertebrae, promoting effective healing.
Benefits
Reduces nerve pressure & inflammation
Alleviates pain
Restores disc & joint function
Improves mobility
Structural correction
Prevention Tips
Practice good posture & workplace ergonomics
Proper lifting mechanics
Staying active
Maintain a healthy weight
Consider regular chiropractic check-ups
Conclusion
-MRIs are not always necessary when getting help with spinal conditions
-Gonstead Chiropractic is perfectly positioned to help with chronic, intricate spine injuries.
-Disc herniations typically take 5+ years to develop & are often the result of complex spine and pelvis misalignments
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