Everything to Know About Disc Herniations: Causes, Symptoms, & Chiropractic Care

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a chiropractor, and one frequent culprit is a herniated disc.

If you’re struggling with persistent back pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates into your legs or arms, you might be dealing with a disc herniation. But don’t worry. Chiropractic care offers natural, effective solutions to help you recover, reduce pain, and get back to doing what you love.

In this post, we’ll explain all you want to know about herniated discs, including symptoms, who’s most at risk, and how chiropractic care can support herniation healing and long-term relief. Let’s get to it.

 

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your spine comprises a series of vertebrae, and between each is a disc that acts as a cushion. Each disc has a soft, gel-like center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher outer shell (annulus).

A herniated disc, also called a “slipped disc” (this isn’t a real term because discs are held very tightly in place) or ruptured disc, occurs when the inner gel pushes out through a tear in the tough, outer layer.

When this happens, the protruding disc material can press against nearby spinal nerves, leading to pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness in the back, neck, arms, or legs, depending on where the herniation occurs.

Disc herniation symptoms may include:

• Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, or limbs
• Numbness or tingling in the arms or legs
• Muscle weakness
• Pain that worsens with specific movements or sitting
• Sciatica (pain that radiates down the leg)

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to seek chiropractic care early. For some, ignoring a herniated disc can lead to worsening pain and long-term symptoms.

 

Who Gets Herniated Discs & Why?

Herniated discs can happen to anyone, but certain factors increase your risk.

Common reasons you may experience a disc herniation include:

• Age: Discs lose water content and elasticity over time, making them more prone to injury
• Repetitive motion: Jobs or sports that involve repeated bending, lifting, or twisting can lead to a disc herniation
• Trauma: Accidents, falls, or heavy lifting with poor form can cause sudden disc injury
• Poor metabolic health: Those with Type 2 diabetes and also smokers are at greater risk for disc herniations
• Sedentary lifestyle: Lack of movement stiffens the joints in the spine putting the discs more at risk

Whether you’re an athlete, laborer, or office worker, you can experience disc herniation due to different lifestyle and mechanical stressors.

 

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Relieve Disc Herniations

Chiropractic solutions offer noninvasive, drug-free techniques for treating herniated discs and restoring function. Dr. Alex at KC Performance Chiropractic & Rehab uses multiple techniques to get the treatment zeroed in to you for your best results!

Some of the methods chiropractors use to effectively and safely treat disc herniations include:

Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)

Dr. Alex is one of the few chiropractors in the world certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. This is a great series of assessments and home treatments that help get you involved in your healing and rehab journey, and it takes the fear and anxiety out of your condition. Many times we will see a great reduction in symptoms in just the first several weeks with greater healing and recovery over the next few months!

Chiropractic Adjustments

Gentle spinal adjustments help restore proper spinal mobility and reduce pressure on the affected disc and surrounding nerves. By improving spinal mobilty, adjustments support the healing process and provide noticeable pain relief.

Active Release Technique (ART)

ART is a hands-on technique that targets tight muscles and scar tissue that often develop around the spinal injury. By manually breaking up these restrictions, ART improves mobility, reduces nerve entrapment, and helps normalize movement patterns.

Dry Needling

Dry needling involves inserting thin needles into muscle trigger points, releasing tightness, and improving blood flow to the affected area. For herniated discs, this can reduce muscle spasms, alleviate referred pain, and promote healing in surrounding tissues.

Rehab Exercises

Rehabilitation is a critical part of long-term recovery. Your local chiropractor can provide customized exercise programs that strengthen the core, improve posture, and stabilize the spine. These movements not only help relieve current symptoms but also prevent future disc injuries.

RockTape (Kinesiology Tape)

RockTape is a specialized form of kinesiology tape that supports muscles and joints while allowing a full range of motion. For herniated disc patients, it can reduce pain and provide postural support during recovery.

 

Choose Our North Kansas Chiropractic Clinic & Get Lasting Results

Our N. Kansas chiropractic team understands the demands of your lifestyle, whether you’re an athlete, a busy parent, or someone with a physically demanding job. We’ll work with you to design a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your disc issue and supports full recovery without relying on medications or surgery.

A herniated disc doesn’t have to mean the end of your active routine. With the right combination of chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, corrective exercise, and supportive guidance, healing is possible.

So, if you’re struggling with disc-related pain, now’s the time to take action!

Book an appointment with our trusted N. Kansas City chiropractor today and start your journey toward a stronger, pain-free spine.