So what exactly is a disc herniation?

A disc herniation is sometimes referred to as a “disc bulge”, “disc protrusion”, “blown disc”, or “slipped disc”.  A disc herniation is an injury in which the soft center of a spinal disc (the nucleus) pushes through a crack in the outer lining.

How do disc herniations happen?

Disc herniation injuries are often a result of trauma.  For example, a car accident, a slip and fall, or a sports injury often result in disc herniations.

What are my treatment options after a disc herniation?

The answer to this depends on several factors:

• size of the disc herniation
• location
• “internal architecture” of your spine
• personal preferences

Options range from non-invasive, conservative approaches to more invasive methods such as epidural steroid injections or even surgery. The larger and more severe the injury, the more aggressive the treatment recommendations are.

In some cases, the pain from a disc injury can resolve on its own.  More often than not, options may include a combination of chiropractic, physical therapy, ice and heat, cold laser therapy, and corrective exercises.