You’ve probably heard of the term “slipped disc” — a prolapse of the structure between the vertebrae.
It’s also known as herniated, ruptured or strained disc and can cause pain and loss of mobility.
Here, we’re going to take a look at what a slipped disc is and answer questions like “Is osteopathy good for slipped disc?”.
What’s a slipped disc?
Discs are found in between your vertebrae. They’re layers of cartilage which separate each vertebra and have shock-absorbing properties too.
Over time, they suffer from wear and tear and may be pushed out of shape. Their gel-like centre may protrude out of the outer wall, creating a prolapse — perhaps a more accurate way to describe a “slipped” disc.
This prolapsed disc may push on the spinal nerves, and this can cause symptoms such as:
- Pain in the neck, back or leg
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Mobility issues
There are a few different treatment options when it comes to slipped discs.
Your doctor may recommend pain relieving or muscle relaxant medication to help with the immediate symptoms.
Some patients benefit from cortisone injections in the area around the spinal nerves to relieve pain and inflammation.
And sometimes surgery is offered when conservative treatment hasn’t helped.
Manual osteopathy for slipped disc
There is another effective treatment for slipped discs, which is both gentle and non-invasive — manual osteopathy.
A manual osteopath is a hands-on practitioner who uses a variety of therapies and treatments to ease the discomfort of issues like a slipped disc.
These may include the use of osteoarticular adjustments, a gentle manual therapy to ease discomfort in the joints around the spine, and adjunctive modalities (treatments that support the body’s own healing processes) like laser and ultrasound therapy to reduce pain and swelling.
Slipped disc osteopathy can also involve home care plan that explains what you should do in order to recover faster. After completing your course of the treatment an exercise program will be prescribed to help you regain strength and well-being.
Manual osteopathy for your slipped disc
Trying to get on with your everyday tasks with a slipped disc can be a real challenge.
But you don’t have to suffer in silence. The friendly team at Osteo Health is here to help you with a range of gentle therapies to get you back to your best self.
Call us at 403-814-0404 or book an appointment with us online at osteohealthcalgary.janeapp.com for a gentle solution.
We’ll work together to help relieve the pain and discomfort of a slipped disc in the most gentle and non-invasive way possible!
Approved by Indira Ravaeva. Manual Osteopath. Member of National Manual Osteopathic Society and Osteopathy Australia.
References
Essential Osteopathy website, ‘Prolapsed or ‘slipped’ disc in the back or neck,’ November 29, 2018
https://www.essentialosteopathy.co.uk/blog/back-pain/prolapsed-or-slipped-disc-back/
Wikipedia, ‘Intervertebral disc,’ January 1, 2023
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intervertebral_disc
Mayo Clinic website, ‘Herniated disk,’ February 8, 2022
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354101