Disc Injury Treatment in Grand Rapids MI

Have you been diagnosed with a disc injury or a slipped disc? The severity of a disc injury depends heavily on how it was sustained, and the complexity and pain involved call for the care of an experienced chiropractor. At Kentwood Family Chiropractic, we have the training to help you overcome your injury and return to living your life pain-free.

What discs do for you

The thin cushions that space your vertebrae and let them work at their best are known as discs. Each one has a rigid outer layer around its circumference and a spongier center that cushions your spinal column. There is a disc between each pair of vertebrae, and they are essential to your flexibility and nerve function. Without them, movement would be impossible.

Slipped and herniated discs

With a slipped disc, the cushiony substance inside the disc has leaked partially out from between the vertebrae. This often inflames the surrounding nerves and causes severe pain. A herniated disc is more serious: the internal fluid is pushed out further, producing more pain and, at times, partial impairment of the nerves in the area.

Disc extrusion

On the most extreme end of the disc injury spectrum is a disc extrusion, where the internal fluid pushes nearly all the way out from under the disc or bursts out completely. This often brings excruciating pain and a significant loss of flexibility.

How we treat disc injuries

Treatment starts with knowing exactly which kind of injury you have. Dr. Paul McAllister evaluates your spine thoroughly, with on-site X-rays when needed, and explains what he finds in a clear Report of Findings. Care typically combines precise chiropractic adjustments with spinal decompression therapy, which gently opens space between the vertebrae so the injured disc can heal. Because Dr. McAllister is an Advanced Certified Activator Methods chiropractor, adjustments can be delivered with a gentle, low-force instrument, no twisting of a spine that already hurts. Disc injuries in the low back are also a leading cause of sciatica and stubborn back pain, and the same careful approach treats those too.

Get back on the road to pain-free

If you want to recover from your disc injury, trust Kentwood Family Chiropractic in Grand Rapids MI to get you back to feeling like yourself. Contact us today with any questions, and be sure to take advantage of our new patient special.