- The intervertebral disc acts as the shock absorber between the vertebra above and below. When they are hydrated and healthy, they keep the spine flexible. Think about the disc as a jelly filled doughnut with soft, squishy interior and tough, fibrous exterior. When the nucleus pulposus (jelly) begins to push on the annulus fibrosus (outer part of the doughnut), it can herniate/slip/protrude/bulge through some of those outer layers.
- When that occurs, the pressure inside the disc increases greatly. This can often cause significant, debilitating pain. Depending on the size of the herniation or bulge, the disc can encroach upon the nearby nerve root which would likely cause radiculopathy like symptoms such as sciatica (radiating pain). Some patients on the other hand can have a herniated or bulging disc but to a lesser degree.
- Diagnostic imaging might reveal a disc that is in the process of degenerating on its way to a herniation or rupture. While a patient might not feel any symptom at the current time, the spine is likely in a biomechanical distorted state causing undue forces which can lead to weakness, numbness, or tingling.
- Corrections to the spine via Upper Cervical Spinal Care often have a positive impact on herniated/bulging discs. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is the leading non-invasive treatment for herniated/bulging discs.
Testimonials
Dr Michael Lea and Lauryn are an incredible team. They have built this business together thoughtfully and with intention, and it shows in the excellence of care they provide. Dr Lea has provided me over 6 months of care to address my chronic health issues that I have been trying to resolve for over 10 years. I’ve seen countless physicians, PTs, chiropractors, etc – and lost faith in the possibility of ever really getting better (therefore, I follow through fairly poorly in what I was being offered). But after 6 months of consistent upper cervical care, the proof is in the pudding: my pre-treatment and post-treatment x-rays are drastically different. My skull, jaw, and pelvis are more aligned/level, my cervical and lumbar spine disc spaces have increased, and I’m putting more equal weight through my feet. I will be honest- even though I’m a medical professional myself and upper cervical care is evidence-based, I didn’t think it would work for me (mostly because nothing else ever has). But, I’m grateful for this improvement, and for the functional outcomes that are starting to bloom, like less headaches. I super appreciate Dr Lea’s model – let’s start with getting good data about your body (functional assessment, weight plates, x-rays, thermographic scan of your spine), decide if you even need upper cervical care – then start with frequent, consistent care, reassess after a period of time, and then decrease frequency, hopefully getting to a point where you need less and less care. I’ve been to so many doctors that just use me to fill their schedules- they provide a formulaic treatment and they never reassess to see if it’s working. Dr Lea and his team know what they’re doing. They’re bright, they’re person-centered, they’re kind, and they’re your kind of people. Trust me.
Johanna
