Herniated Disc Treatments

Treatment is based on how your symptoms present and what we find during evaluation because not every disc herniation is approached the same way.

Chiropractic Treatment For A Herniated Disc

Chiropractic may be an excellent choice to treat disc herniation at many levels including severe. Our chiropractor has over 25 years experience at treating herniated discs. When performing a chiropractic adjustment for disc herniation, it is important to start slow and make constant progress.   Learn more: Week by Week Disc Herniation Timeline

We treat each patient in a precise manner that relates to their issue. We focus on the cause of pain and patient symptoms to treat a herniated disc in the most appropriate way.

Utilizing chiropractic treatment for most herniated disc’s is based on sound scientific evidence, and is found to be both safe and effective.

 

Disc Herniation Treatment with Class IV Laser

Class IV laser therapy is an advanced, non-invasive treatment option for our patients suffering from disc herniation. The Class IV Laser promotes photo- biomodulation, a natural response of our cells to light waves. By delivering a concentrated dose of light at a specific wavelength and frequency, the therapy triggers the production of ATP, which is responsible for cellular energy production. This leads to a range of positive effects:

• Heightened DNA/RNA activity, to accelerate healing time.
• Intensified collagen production, to aid in producing the material needed to rebuild the disc, tendons and ligaments around it.
• Reduced inflammation to get you out of pain, especially if inflammation is pushing on a nerve.
• Optimized cellular regeneration, for faster healing
• Improved blood circulation: Vertebral discs are not vascularized; however, the tissue around it is, and in the case of disc herniation, this soft tissue and ligaments may also be affected and inflamed. The improved blood circulation will help accelerate the healing of these adjacent tissues.
• Decrease Muscle Tension which is important in disc herniation because surrounding muscles become tight, guarding the injury.
• Improve Range of Motion: When your inflammation and pain are decreased you can move more.

Protective eye wear is worn during the procedure to ensure safety. The Class IV laser is then applied to the affected area, with most patients reporting slight warm sensations and an improvement in symptoms.

Unlike surgery or medication, no known side effects are associated with laser therapy, making it a safe and effective treatment option.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and Flexion-Distraction

In most cases, we can’t “pop” a disc back in one forceful adjustment, but instead, we use gentle adjustments over a period of time to make a full recovery. There are a few studies on the benefits of flexion-distraction chiropractic care when compared with physical therapy alone. Overall, the results indicate that those who took advantage of flexion-distraction experienced significantly lower pain one year after treatment.

We can think of treating a disc herniation with flexion-distraction the same way as working out at the gym. We can’t expect to lift weights one time and gain lots of muscle. However, when we are consistent with our training, we should be able to gain muscle over the long-term. In the same manner, those who are looking to heal their herniated disc correctly should have a long-term approach that is based around working with a chiropractor on a consistent basis.

For those suffering from severe or chronic neck or back pain caused by disc herniation, Non-surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy offers a safe and non-surgical chiropractic solution. Using a specialized Spinal Decompression table, this treatment method gently targets the injured disc with gentle repetitive movements, to stimulate the disc pump mechanism – creating a negative pressure change within the intervertebral disc and surrounding soft tissue.  The reduction in pressure allows for the disc bulge or herniated disc to be pulled back into place, promoting re-hydration and decreasing pain levels. This approach offers a natural healing process for those seeking relief from the chronic pain of disc herniation.

Physical Therapy – Identify the Cause and Stabilize The Weak Link

Our chiropractic physician has advanced training in biomechanics and is SFMA certified so now that your herniated disc has healed we can identify movement patterns that caused it in the first place so we can address these issues to prevent a recurrence.

Performing physical therapy is an excellent way to reinforce the muscles around the spine and reduce the chance of a recurrent herniated disc. Once the acute phase of your treatment plan has been completed, you will be approved to move on to our rehabilitation program.

Those who focus on an exercise program that is based on balance should be able to strengthen all muscle groups in a symmetrical way and focus on adequate flexibility. When embarking on a core strengthening program, we will start slowly and consistently to get the best results. Not only will this reduce the chance of re-herniating a disc, but balanced strength will also likely contribute to a higher quality of life overall.

Clinical Massage

Clinical Massage is an adjunct therapy and used to compliment chiropractic care and physical therapy.

Our clinical massage team uses specific massage techniques that will increase the range of motion and reduce inflammation in the area immediately around the herniated disc. This will allow blood flow to circulate throughout the area, reduce pain overall, and facilitate healing. Since massage is such a crucial part of recovering from a disc herniation, at some point during your treatment plan, we may recommend a clinical massage with one of our massage therapists.

 

We Make Getting The Disc Herniation Treatment You Need Easy

We keep our costs as low as possible to pass the savings on to you.   This is just one of the ways we work to make quality disc herniation treatment  available to everyone who needs it.

If you have health insurance and would like to have your coverage for our office visits verified by our patient service team for free and at no obligation to you before you schedule your appointment please click here to submit your insurance information and we will get back to you within one business day.

Additional Options include:

Flex Spending
Health Savings Accounts
ChiroHealth Discount Program
CareCredit

Choosing conservative disc herniation treatment before surgery and medications is often less costly and lower risk.

Home Care Instructions To Help You Until You Can See Your Chiropractor for Disc Herniation Treatment

These are general strategies that may help reduce irritation, but they should be adapted based on your specific condition.

Ice Instructions:  Ice is essential for inflammation and pain control. If you don’t have a gel ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables or ice in a plastic bag to apply this therapy. Make sure you have a piece of fabric between the ice and your skin to prevent damage to your skin. Apply ice until you feel numbness (about ten minutes). Do three times a day or as much as once an hour as pain requires.

Sleeping Positions:  

Many patients find it hard to get into a comfortable position with a disc injury. Although everyone is different, many patients find a neutral side-lying position helpful.

Some of our patients with disc herniation feel sleeping on your back with knees supported is the most helpful.

If you have a very soft bed, it may be helpful to know that some patients report that sleeping on very firm surfaces can give some relief, like a yoga mat on the floor. 

Whatever you do, try to get comfortable and get as much sleep as possible, you will likely use many strategies at first since the pain will worsen if you stay in one position, and do the few that will get you the shut-eye you need.  

How to Get Up from a Seated or Laying Down Position: Getting out of bed or a chair with a disc herniation can be difficult. Watch our video for these tips if you are having difficulty.

How To Keep Moving:  Bed rest is not advised with disc herniation. We recommend you alternate between sit, stand, laying down, and walking for 15 minutes every hour. The idea is to keep moving and change positions no longer than 15 minutes or less if you need to. Do your prescribed disc reduction exercises when you sit or lay down and ice therapy when standing or lying down. Remember to hydrate.

Keep moving as tolerable. Walking is beneficial, and if you can tolerate and access it, activities in water that don’t involve twisting or bending are also helpful to maintain activity and movement. When you see your chiropractor, they will likely recommend specific exercises and stretches for you.

How to Sit:

Stand up and place the back of one hand on the small of your lower back. Feel the curve that goes forward; now sit down and maintain that curve precisely. This is how you should sit usually and most importantly, when you have a disc herniation or injury. “Slouching” will put more pressure on the injured disc and cause it to bulge out more, thus increasing your pain. Use a support or a towel to maintain your curve for specific seats, like in a car.

 

Treating Disc Herniation at Ravenswood Chiropractic in Chicago

Even when our patients come in with sciatica or radiating nerve pain from a herniated disc, the majority (about 90%) of patients’ symptoms will improve over time. The time it takes for improvement can vary but typically ranges from a few days to weeks. And we can do various things at our office to accelerate that time, such as class IV Laser.

When treating disc herniation, we aim to include pain management (which we do with our Class IV Laser), and therapies to keep you moving like physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic care.

These treatments work together to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility and function. Treatment plans vary depending on the severity of the herniation and the individual’s overall health.

While surgical options may be necessary for some patients, most of our disc herniation patients can be treated with conservative care.  If you live in the Chicago area, we offer free consultations for disc herniation and same day appointments.  Our expert team is here to answer the questions you may have about disc herniation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disc Herniation

Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

In many cases, symptoms improve over time as irritation decreases. The body can adapt and, in some situations, reduce the impact of the herniation. Others benefit from guided care to reduce stress on the area.

Does a herniated disc always cause nerve pain?

Not always. Some people experience mostly localized pain, while others have symptoms that travel into the arm or leg depending on nerve involvement.

What’s the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

A bulging disc extends outward but remains intact, while a herniation involves a portion of the disc pushing further out. Both can cause symptoms depending on their location.

Is surgery always required for a herniated disc?

No. Many cases respond well to conservative, non-surgical care, especially when treatment is matched to the underlying cause.

How long does it take to recover from a disc herniation?

Recovery varies depending on the severity and how the body responds. Some cases improve within weeks, while others take longer and benefit from a structured plan.

Can I still exercise with a herniated disc?

In many cases, movement is helpful, but it should be appropriate for your condition. A guided approach helps avoid aggravating the issue.

What makes symptoms worse?

Prolonged sitting, poor posture, and certain movements can increase pressure on the disc and surrounding structures.