A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc, is one of the most common conditions to affect the spine. While it can occur anywhere along your spine, it most frequently occurs in the neck or lower back. Discs are essentially small cushions that sit between each of the vertebrae in your spine. When a disc herniates or slips, the disc ruptures, allowing the nerve center to move and become pinched between the vertebrae.
Effective Treatment Techniques for Herniated Discs at Center Point Physical Therapy New York
Managing a herniated disc involves addressing both the immediate pain and the underlying causes of the disc injury. At Center Point Physical Therapy New York, we provide a multi-faceted approach that includes physical therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture to ensure comprehensive, effective relief for each patient. Here’s how each of these therapies can benefit those with a herniated disc:
- Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a foundational treatment for herniated discs, helping to reduce pain and strengthen the muscles around the spine for better support and mobility. Our physical therapy for herniated discs includes:
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to gently manipulate the affected area, relieve muscle tension, and improve circulation around the injured disc.
- Targeted Exercises: Customized exercises to strengthen core muscles, support the spine, and improve flexibility. This helps alleviate pressure on the herniated disc and reduces the risk of future injuries.
- Postural Training: Education and exercises that improve posture, especially during daily activities like sitting, standing, and lifting. Proper posture reduces stress on the spine, which is crucial for preventing further disc damage.
Physical therapy can help manage acute pain and prevent chronic issues, offering a non-surgical path to recovery and improved quality of life.
- Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can be particularly effective for individuals with herniated discs by promoting spinal alignment and relieving nerve pressure. At our clinic, chiropractic treatments include:
- Spinal Adjustments: Gentle adjustments to the spine to align vertebrae, reduce nerve compression, and relieve pain caused by herniated discs.
- Therapeutic Ultrasound: Deep tissue heating that promotes circulation and healing at the site of the disc injury.
- Electrical Stimulation: Low-level electrical currents applied to the muscles around the herniated disc to reduce pain and muscle tension.
Chiropractic care can be a valuable addition to physical therapy, helping address spinal alignment and providing relief for compressed nerves, which is often a root cause of the pain associated with herniated discs.
- Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient practice that can be a highly effective complementary treatment for herniated discs, especially for managing pain and reducing inflammation. Our acupuncture services for herniated disc patients include:
- Pain Relief Techniques: Acupuncture points along the spine, lower back, and sciatic nerve pathways can be targeted to alleviate pain and reduce muscle spasms.
- Inflammation Reduction: Certain acupuncture points help regulate the body’s inflammatory response, which can decrease swelling around the affected disc.
- Energy Flow Restoration: According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture helps restore the natural flow of energy (Qi) through pathways that may be disrupted by pain or injury.
Studies have shown that acupuncture can enhance the effects of physical therapy and chiropractic care, providing holistic support for the body’s healing processes.
Comprehensive Herniated Disc Care at Center Point Physical Therapy New York
At Center Point Physical Therapy NYC, our herniated disc specialists work with each patient to develop an individualized plan that may incorporate physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and acupuncture based on the severity and type of disc injury. We believe in a conservative, non-surgical approach to disc healing, aiming for long-term relief and improved spinal health.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or think you may have a herniated disc, call us today at (646) 822-0588 to request your appointment at Center Point Physical Therapy New York with our chiropractor.