Herniated Discs

Osteopathy for a Herniated or Prolapsed Disc

What is a Herniated or Prolapsed Disc?

A slipped disc—also known as a herniated or prolapsed disc—can be a debilitating condition, causing pain, numbness, and limited mobility. If you’re seeking a non-invasive, holistic approach to recovery, osteopathy may be an effective treatment option.

Your spine is made up of small bones known as vertebrae, which protect and support your spinal cord. Intervertebral discs are structures found between vertebrae all the way from the base of the skull to the tailbone. They are composed of two parts: a tough outer layer, similar to a tyre, and a soft inner core of a gel-like consistency. When the disc is herniated or prolapsed, the gel-like material leaks out of the tyre and can put pressure on spinal nerves.

Discs are fairly soft, acting as shock absorbers and allowing flexibility. Sometimes we cause this disc material to leak out of its space when we overload the spine in certain positions. It’s important to use good lifting techniques and maintain good strength around your spine to reduce the risk of injuring the disc. Over time, the disc wears and loses height due to natural fluid loss. Small cracks can appear in the outer layer and, if put under strain, the disc can start to be pushed out of shape. Obesity, genetic predisposition, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and physically demanding occupations, may also increase the likelihood of developing a herniated disc.

So, there are various factors that may lead to this type of injury including age-related degeneration, repetitive strains and improper lifting technique. No matter the cause, disc prolapses tend to be most common in the lower back.

This can cause symptoms such as:

  • Back or neck pain
  • Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
  • Sciatica
  • Pain in buttocks, hips or legs
  • Weakness in affected muscles
  • Difficulty standing, walking or sitting for long periods

 

The pain of a slipped disc often feels worse:

  • After prolonged standing or sitting
  • At night
  • When sneezing, coughing, or laughing
  • When bending backward or walking more than a few metres

Osteopathic Treatment for a Herniated Disc

Treatment options for a herniated disc depend on the severity of symptoms and may include conservative measures like rest, manual therapy, physical therapy, pain medications, and steroid injections. In more severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove or repair the herniated disc.

Our osteopathic practitioners will first assess your posture, mobility of the spine and other joints, and the quality of the soft tissues. Whether it is a minor strain or a prolapse, the disc has sustained physical damage, and this requires time to resolve and repair.

Gentle manual techniques are used to correct any strains found. This may include joint manipulations, muscle stretching, and myofascial release techniques. The goal is to relieve pressure on the intervertebral discs and restore natural mobility to the spine.

Osteopathic care offers an effective, non-surgical treatment option for those suffering from bulging discs. We are committed to improving your quality of life and getting you back on track.

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