CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT OF LUMBAR SPINE DISC INJURIES AND HOW THIS DIFFERS FROM CONVENTIONAL THERAPY.

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In the last blog we discussed what lumbar spine disc injuries are and how they happen. It all translates back to too much pressure being placed on a particular spinal level(s), causing the disc to prolapse (bulge) outwards resulting in pressure on neural structures.

Conventional therapy focuses on treating the injured level itself with the aim of reducing the size of the disc bulge. This can include rest, analgesics and anti inflammatories. While this approach may yield temporary symptomatic relief it is effectively doing nothing about THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. More often than not the disc will repeatedly relapse a short while later because the dysfunction has not been corrected. It is effectively like putting a plaster over the problem.

CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT CORRECTS WHAT IS CAUSING THE DISC TO PROLAPSE:

•By correcting and normalizing the spinal biomechanics (movement patterns) throughout the spine, your Chiropractor ensures that all load is distributed equally. Joints which are not moving normally can simply not function normally forcing adjacent levels to carry extra load, loading the discs excessively. Specific Chiropractic manipulation/mobilization corrects this dysfunction.

•Structural anomalies such as excessive scoliosis/kyphosis/lordosis are addressed and corrective exercises are given.

•Leg length inequalities are treated if within the ‘functional difference ‘ category but may be referred for orthotics if structural in nature.

•Muscle strength/flexibility imbalances are addressed and corrective exercises are given.

•Postural correction for standing/sitting/sleeping postures is vital and corrective advice regarding occupational/sporting actions invaluable.

All of the above puts Chiropractic at the forefront for the conservative treatment of lumbar spine disc injuries.The holistic approach prevents future relapses.Your Chiropractor will always refer you when necessary but always try conservative therapy first! Written by Dr. E Greyling