Call 024 7622 2002. Prolapsed disc is also known as a Herniated,Bulging or Slipped Disc. The dishirec’s in the spine are called intervertebral discs; they are thin, biscuit like structures that act as cushions between the bones of the back (vertebrae). Each disc is made of a soft gelatine centre surrounded by a tough, fibrous outer case. This structure allows the disc to be tough enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to absorb when the spine flexes during any movement such as bending, leaning and turning sideways.
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Prolapsed Disc.
Prolapsed disc is also known as a Herniated or Slipped Disc. The dishirec’s in the spine are called intervertebral discs; they are thin, biscuit like structures that act as cushions between the bones of the back (vertebrae). Each disc is made of a soft gelatine centre surrounded by a tough, fibrous outer case. This structure allows the disc to be tough enough to maintain the space between the vertebrae, but soft enough to absorb when the spine flexes during any movement such as bending, leaning and turning sideways.
People, mostly adults between 25 and 55 are at risk of suffering from a Prolapsed disc. A disc’s tough outer case develops an area of weakness or a small tear. The result can be, part of the disc’s soft inner core can bulge out of its normal position (herniate), producing a condition called a prolapsed disc. If the Prolapsed disc presses on nerves in the area of the spinal canal, this can cause differing nerve related symptoms, including pain, numbness and muscle weakness. In the most severe cases, a Prolapsed disc can compress nerves that control the bowel and bladder, causing urinary incontinence and loss of bowel control.
Combination of the following factors:
Prolapsed discs are in people under 20, but common among people aged over 25 to 55. Of all the factors responsible for Prolapsed disc’s, aging is probably the biggest factor. With age the disc’s outer case appears to degenerate slowly, through wear and tear.
Genetic factors,
In some families, several close relatives suffer from Prolapsed discs
Individual risk factors.
There may be at increased risk of a Prolapsed disc if you work at a job or participate in a sport that involves heavy lifting or impacted.
There are three distinct areas of the vertebral column where a prolapsed disc may occur:
· The cervical area between the vertebrae in the neck
· The thoracic area between the vertebrae in the upper back.
· The lumbar region between the vertebrae in the lower back and above the pelvis.
The symptoms and signs of a prolapsed disc are usually back pain in the area of the affected disc. This is the pain is the signal that a disc tough outer case has been injured in some way, However, it’s not necessarily that the inner core has herniated. If the inner core does herniate and presses on a nearby nerve, the resulting symptoms will be different, depending on the location of the Prolapsed disc.
· In the cervical region Pan occurs in the neck, shoulder, shoulder blade, arm or chest, together with numbness or weakness in the arm or fingers, headaches may also occur.
· In the thoracic region Symptoms may be vague and varying, from pain in the upper back, lower back, chest, abdomen or legs, together with weakness and numbness in one or both legs. This may also affect the bowel or bladder incontinence.
Sciatica
Chiropractors have been treating effectively millions of people for lower back pain for over 100 years. Recent research shows that chiropractic techniques are the most effective treatment for Sciatica ad lower back pain.
Sciatica is defined as a lower back pain that refers into buttock, one or both legs along the course of the sciatic nerve. Patients with sciatica suffer from a wide range of symptoms. Pain can range from minimal to severe, localized in the lower back and buttock to spreading in one or both leg and to weakness and tingling into the lower legs and feet. Loss of sensation and weakness are present in more severe cases of sciatica. Compression of sciatic nerve can be caused by misalignments of the lumbar spine, herniation of one or more lower back disc, tumors, diabetes, trauma, or inflammation and spasm of the piriformis muscle.
Sciatica usually begins as an acute pain in the lower back and then extends down the back of either leg. The pain usually worsens with long periods of sitting or standing. The sciatic nerves are formed by five pairs of nerves exiting the spine in the lower back. They may endure abnormal pressure from bugling, herniated, or ruptured discs, resulting in swelling, inflammation, and pain when coughing, sneezing, or moving. By restoring joint motion and positioning, chiropractic care can improve disc height and spacing. Removing the source of pressure on the sciatic nerve roots allows them to heal
Discs do not slip
Intervertebral disc are attached to the adjacent vertebrae through strong fibrous tissues. Discs however do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse or rupture – the terms describe the tears in the outer fibre layer of the disc causing herniaton of the nucleus pulposus (central part of the disc). The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin
Cold/Low Level Laser Therapy/Treatment
The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser. For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan. In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy. It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.
Cold/Low Level Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally. In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain. These activities can occur in all types of cells and includes ligament, nerves, cartilage and muscle.
Cold/Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as:
Back /Mid/ Lower back
Sciatica
Prolapsed/ Herniated/ Slipped / Bulging discs
Lower back injuries
Trapped nerves
Hip and joint pain/ inflammation
Athletic and sports injuries
Lower Back Pain
Knee and Foot Pain
Shoulder Injury
Whiplash and Neck injuries
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Arthritic Pain Relief and Muscle Spasm
Relief of Muscle and Joint Pain
Skin infections, including cold sores,
Wound Management including Skin Ulcers, Pressure Sores and Burns
Soft Tissue Injuries including Sprains and Strains, Tendonitis and Haematomas
Joint Disorders including Arthritic pain relief and Tenosynovitis
Chronic pain such as Trigeminal Neuralgia,
For further in depth information on Prolapsed disc, Back Pain, lower back pain, and Sciatica, please go to top left corner under “Pain” or “Conditions”.
