As Queens’ trusted chiropractor, we specialize in treating car accidents and work-related injuries. Schedule an appointment by calling 718-275-1313.
According to the New York Department of Health, car accidents hospitalize 12,093 state residents every year. Sometimes these collisions can lead to injuries such as herniated discs. There are several types of treatment for this condition, but visiting a herniated disc chiropractor is a good place to start.
Herniated discs are also known as slipped or bulging discs. If you are experiencing back pain after a car accident, a chiropractor can identify the problem and offer solutions.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Soft, gel-like discs sit between each vertebra in your spine. These discs cushion the spinal column and allow you to bend, twist, and stretch. If something pushes these discs out of alignment, they may swell up or burst from the pressure.
If you are in a car accident that affects your back, your spinal discs can slip and pinch the surrounding nerves. Herniated discs also affect the joints, muscles, and other tissues around your spine. Although they will usually heal on their own with enough time, the damage may last for weeks, months, or even years.
This condition can be extremely painful, especially if the discs rupture. Surgery is usually necessary if this happens.
What Causes a Herniated Disc?
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of herniated discs. This is because these collisions generally impact your neck and spine. The sudden trauma can cause the discs to slip or bulge in unexpected ways.
Discs become weaker and thinner as you age, but long-term habits like poor posture and overexertion can be contributing factors. For example, a recent study found that 61% of patients with herniated discs were overweight and led sedentary lifestyles
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
A few key clues could indicate that you’re suffering from a herniated disc. A herniated disc chiropractor can also diagnose the issue, so seek professional help if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Achy back
- Stiff neck
- Muscle spasms
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs
- Inflammation around your spine
- Shooting pains in your back and limbs
- Weak limbs
Herniated discs affect your nervous system, so you might feel these painful symptoms in other parts of your body as well. It all depends on where the slip happens within the spine.
If you were recently in a car accident and are dealing with unexplained aches and pains, a herniated disc may be the culprit.
Chiropractic Treatments for a Herniated Disc
Although there are more intense ways to address a herniated disc, chiropractors use non-surgical methods to realign the spine and relieve pressure. They generally begin with X-rays or MRI scans to determine the severity of the issue.
A herniated disc chiropractor can then try some of the following methods.
Medical Massages
A soft tissue massage can soothe the muscles around your spine. The entire area around a slipped disc is usually quite painful. Therefore, targeted medical massages can relieve pain and tension.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy targets the joints and ligaments within your body. With help from a chiropractor, this type of treatment can expand your range of motion.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Although you might want to lay in your bed until the pain goes away, exercise is a crucial part of recovery. Gentle, chiropractor-approved stretches can help you loosen up. They can also help to improve blood flow and alleviate the pressure on your spine.
Flexion-Distraction
Flexion-distraction is a special technique that chiropractors can use to stretch out your back. It involves using a specialized table to realign your spine and relieve pressure.
This type of stretching also helps the discs expand and draw in more water. They become more flexible as a result.
In addition to these chiropractic techniques, chiropractors can create a personalized treatment plan for your situation. The treatments above don’t completely solve herniations, but they do soothe the pain while your body heals naturally.
With proper treatment, herniated discs sometimes will heal themselves over time. However, if your pain worsens throughout treatment, surgery may become necessary.
Alternative Treatments for a Herniated Disc
Chiropractors can help treat the pain and discomfort associated with herniated discs, but herniated discs come in many different forms of severity. Some will heal on their own, while others require more extreme treatment.
Chiropractors can help you find the appropriate solution for your level of pain.
For example, they may suggest the following at-home treatments:
- Bedrest
- Hydration
- Over-the-counter painkillers
- Gentle stretches/exercise
- Heat treatment
Benefits of Visiting a Chiropractor
Chiropractors are medical professionals specializing in back and spine therapy. According to The American Chiropractic Association, 77% of people who visited a chiropractor said that their treatments were highly effective.
Most people don’t want to undergo surgery, and chiropractors are a valuable alternative. Their work focuses on noninvasive treatment, and they employ a holistic approach that heals the entire body.
Additionally, chiropractors can suggest lifestyle tips to help you minimize your pain. With all these different forms, chiropractic treatment has helped many people who are recovering from car accidents.
Find Help at Chiropractic Approach
If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Queens, NY, contact our Chiropractic Approach team. In addition to herniated disc treatment, we can also teach you some chiropractic stretches for lower back pain.
Our doctors accept some insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection.) Same-day appointments are available.
Call 718-275-1313 to schedule an appointment with a herniated disc chiropractor.
FAQs
How Serious Is a Herniated Disc?
Herniated discs are not life-threatening, but they can be painful and debilitating.
Can a Herniated Disc Heal on Its Own?
Many herniated discs can heal without treatment within six months. However, treatment can help reduce pain and speed up your recovery.
How Does a Car Crash Cause Disc Herniation?
Car crashes cause disc herniation because they deliver a sharp impact to the spine. This causes the discs to slip out of alignment.
