Yes, you can go to a chiropractor if you have bulging discs in your spine. Bulging discs, also called herniated discs or slipped discs, occur when the soft inner material of the disc pushes out against the outer ring due to injury or wear and tear. This can cause pain, numbness or weakness in the area the disc affects. Many people find relief from bulging disc symptoms through chiropractic treatment. However, it’s important to consult with your doctor first to ensure chiropractic care is safe for your individual condition.
What are bulging discs?
Your spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae that are cushioned by discs. Discs have a tough outer layer and a soft jelly-like center. A bulging disc occurs when the inner portion pushes against the outer ring due to excessive pressure. This causes the disc to bulge out.
Discs can bulge due to:
- Injury such as a heavy lift, twist or fall
- Repetitive strain from poor posture or improper lifting technique
- Degeneration due to aging
- Genetic predisposition
Bulging discs are common in the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) spine because these areas bear the most weight and are very mobile. Bulging discs may cause:
- Lower back or neck pain
- Pain, numbness or tingling radiating down the arms or legs (sciatica)
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced range of motion
How can a chiropractor help with bulging discs?
Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other techniques to treat bulging discs and associated pain and symptoms. Some ways they may help include:
- Restoring mobility and alignment: Gentle adjustments can bring your vertebrae back into proper position, taking pressure off the bulging discs.
- Relieving inflammation: Chiropractic techniques like massage or ultrasound therapy can reduce swelling and irritation around the bulging discs.
- Improving range of motion: Stretching and mobilization exercises can improve flexibility and take strain off the bulging discs.
- easing muscle tension: Your chiropractor may use trigger point therapy or other methods to loosen tight muscles aggravating your bulging discs.
- Promoting healing: Proper alignment allows more blood flow to the area to nourish and heal the bulging discs.
Many patients find chiropractic helps relieve pain and other symptoms from bulging discs without drugs or surgery. It focuses on addressing the underlying structural problems causing the bulging discs vs just treating the symptoms.
What techniques do chiropractors use?
Chiropractors have many nonsurgical tools they can use to treat bulging discs, including:
- Spinal manipulation: The chiropractor uses their hands or a device to apply controlled force and mobilize joints in the spine. This can take pressure off bulging discs.
- Flexion-distraction: A specialized table gently distracts or decompresses the spine to create more space between vertebrae.
- Instrument-assisted adjustment: The chiropractor uses a hand-held instrument to apply targeted force to restricted joints.
- Manual massage: Helps relax muscles and increase blood flow around bulging discs.
- Trigger point therapy: Alleviates knots and tightness in muscles that may aggravate bulging discs.
- Heat/ice therapy: Reduces bulging disc swelling and discomfort.
- Electrical stimulation: Small amounts of electrical current can reduce bulging disc inflammation and pain.
- Ultrasound: Uses soundwaves to provide deep heating to the bulging discs and surrounding tissue.
Your chiropractor will tailor their techniques to your specific case and symptoms. Treatment plans are designed to provide gradual, progressive relief.
What results can you expect from chiropractic treatment?
Many patients see significant improvement in bulging disc symptoms with chiropractic treatment. However, keep in mind results vary on a case-by-case basis. Your age, overall health, disc location, and extent of damage all impact your prognosis.
In one study, over 70% of patients with bulging lumbar discs reported significantly less pain and improved function after chiropractic care. Those who engage in physical therapy and home exercises may see longer lasting benefits.
Potential results include:
- Decreased pain and stiffness
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced numbness/tingling (sciatica)
- Less need for medication
- Enhanced activity levels and quality of life
Some acute bulging discs may heal completely with chiropractic treatment. However, severely degenerated discs may need additional care like injections or surgery. Your chiropractor can give guidance on the prognosis for your specific condition.
Are there risks or side effects?
Chiropractic care is considered very low risk when performed by a trained professional. It does not involve drugs or invasive procedures. However, a small portion of patients may experience:
- Mild soreness or stiffness for a day or two after treatment.
- Temporary increase in pre-existing symptoms like pain or tingling.
- Headache or fatigue due to the body’s response to adjustments.
More serious complications are very rare. But chiropractic is not appropriate for some cases involving:
- Severe osteoporosis that weakens the spine.
- Spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome.
- Signs of progressive neurological deficits.
- Recent fracture or tumor in the spine.
- Bleeding disorders that interfere with healing.
- Infection, arthritis or connective tissue disorders affecting the spine.
Your chiropractor will do a thorough evaluation to rule out any red flags before recommending treatment. Let them know if you have any underlying health conditions. Staying within your recommended treatment plan will also help minimize any risk.
When should you avoid chiropractic adjustments?
In most cases, it is safe to have gentle chiropractic treatment for bulging discs as long as some basic precautions are taken. Avoid chiropractic adjustments if you have:
- Acute fractures, tumors or instability in the spine.
- Spinal cord compression or cauda equina syndrome.
- Advanced osteoporosis that weakens the vertebrae.
- Severe neurological deficits or deficits that are quickly worsening.
- Bleeding disorders or take blood thinners.
- Active inflammatory arthritis or connective tissue disease.
- Discitis, an infection of the disc space.
- Recent trauma like a car accident with potential injury.
Unsupervised “popping” or “cracking” of the neck is also not recommended.
Let your chiropractor know if you have any underlying medical conditions, take medications, or notice any concerning new symptoms. They can determine if chiropractic treatment would be safe in your specific case.
Tips for getting the most from chiropractic care
Here are some tips to enhance your results from chiropractic treatment for bulging discs:
- Choose an experienced chiropractor with good reviews.
- Give treatment time to work – it may take several weeks to feel significant relief.
- Come consistently to scheduled visits to achieve optimal results.
- Avoid activities that aggravate your symptoms in the early stages of care.
- Engage in physical therapy exercises at home to support the adjustments.
- Use ice/heat packs as recommended to control inflammation and pain.
- Maintain proper posture and lifting techniques to avoid re-injury.
- Communicate openly with your chiropractor about your progress and any side effects.
Following your chiropractor’s plan of care and making lifestyle modifications can help you achieve longer lasting relief.
When to see your medical doctor
While chiropractic offers a drug-free approach to treating bulging discs, it is not a substitute for medical care in some cases. See your doctor promptly if you experience:
- Loss of bowel or bladder function
- Sudden severe or progressive neurological deficits
- Signs of cauda equina syndrome such as saddle anesthesia
- Unexplained fever, nausea or chills
- Unrelenting pain not responding to conservative treatment
- New onset pain and weakness after a fall or injury
These can indicate serious medical conditions requiring urgent evaluation. Your doctor and chiropractor can work together to get you on the road to recovery.
Conclusion
Chiropractic offers a safe, non-invasive way to find relief from bulging disc pain and other symptoms. Research shows it can effectively reduce bulging disc issues for many people. However, it is important to consult with your doctor first and avoid certain conditions where adjustments could be risky. An integrated approach combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, and home exercises often provides optimal results. With some patience and consistency, many patients find life-changing relief from bulging discs through conservative chiropractic treatment.