Find out what can cause a herniated disc and how getting chiropractic care in Austin can help.

A spinal disc is made up of a hard outer surface with a softer region in the center. If the disc is herniated (sometimes referred to as a “slipped disc”) this means that the soft center is protruding out of a crack in the exterior. A herniated disc may not always cause problems, but it can cause numbness, weakness or even pain. Our Austin, TX chiropractor, Dr. Zeke Harkleroad, is here to talk about what causes herniated discs and how chiropractic treatment could help.

Why am I experiencing a herniated disc?

The most common cause of this spinal condition is wear and tear that happens over time, due to age. This is known as disc degeneration and this problem happens gradually as we get older. Why? Spinal discs contain water, which it starts to lose as we age. As water lessens the discs become less mobile and are more susceptible to tears and ruptures when an injury occurs.

While you may not be able to determine the root cause of your herniated disc, postural habits, traumatic falls, accidents or even lifting heavy object incorrectly are enough to cause disc herniation.

What are the symptoms?

As we mentioned above, not everyone will experience symptoms. Sometimes the only way to determine that you have a herniated disc is through imaging tests. However, sometimes those with herniated discs do experience pain. Here are some of the most common symptoms:

• Arm or leg pain
• Tingling or numbness in a certain body part
• Muscles weakness

If you notice that neck or back pain radiates to your arms or legs and you’re also experiencing weakness, numbness or tingling it’s important that you seek out medical attention.

How can a chiropractor help?

Fortunately, we can help treat your back pain and other symptoms related to your herniated disc. Before we start treatment, we will need to get some information about your medical history and also perform a thorough physical exam.

We will check to make sure that your reflexes are responding properly, that you are losing muscles strength and that there is no loss of sensation along the nerve pathways. We will examine your entire spine, even if you are only noticing pain or issues with your lower back. We want to know how well your entire spine is functioning since a problem in one area can cause issues in other areas. If you are a good candidate for chiropractic care, your treatment plan may include spinal manipulation (also referred to as spinal adjustments), manual therapy and therapeutic exercises. Your treatment plan will be tailored to you based on your health, physical activity level and the severity of your symptoms.

Here at Bee Caves Scoliosis Center in Austin, TX, our goal is to reduce your pain and other symptoms to make it easier to get around. Improve your quality of life by getting the chiropractic care your body not only deserves but also needs to be healthier.