Disc, Back, and Neck Pain Relief

The spinal disc is a special cartilage between the bones of your spinal column. Sandwiched between your spinal vertebrae, discs are often called the shock absorbers of your spine. Discs create space for your nerves and contain a jelly-like “ball bearing” core surrounded by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs provide the flexibility to bend and turn your back easily.

As you age, the discs may lose flexibility, elasticity, and shock-absorbing characteristics. When discs become rigid, that restricts your movement and causes pain.

Accidents, strains, and trauma can shift the core of your spinal disc, causing a herniated or slipped disc. Herniated discs most commonly occur in your lower back and can cause chronic pain. The jelly-like core of the disc may also rupture or leak through to the outer portion of your disc, causing other back problems.

Another cause of disc pain is degenerative disc disease. Often brought on by aging, this condition can cause pain, stiffness, and soreness, particularly in the morning.

Your practitioner at The Scottsdale Chiropractor takes a complete medical history and conducts a thorough physical examination. Disc-related conditions are usually diagnosed through an X-ray. Afterward, your practitioner reviews your X-ray to look for signs of disc thinning or degeneration. They also look for bone spurs, which form due to abnormal wear and tear on your back.

When your diagnosis is complete, your practitioner recommends a holistic treatment plan that emphasizes hands-on chiropractic techniques, rather than surgery or medications.

Chiropractic care works by restoring proper mechanics in your discs and spine. The team at The Scottsdale Chiropractor performs a range of chiropractic manipulations to alleviate pain and numbness due to herniated discs, ruptured discs, and degenerative disc disease. Your provider may suggest spinal decompression techniques, a type of manual manipulation that creates a negative pressure within the disc. This process may help hydrate the disc, allowing it to regain flexibility and elasticity.

Back pain can originate from past injuries, accidents, and conditions, such as:

• Herniated or ruptured discs
• Sciatica
• Muscle strains or tears

Back pain is common, and most people experience at least one episode of backache in their lifetime.

The health assessment includes:

• Medical history
• Lifestyle factors (diet, sleep, exercise, stress, substance use)
• Discussion of symptoms, including nerve-related signs:
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Physical exam and possibly X-rays to identify contributing issues.

During spinal manipulation, you lie on a special table. Your practitioner uses their hands to move individual joints in your spine to the end of their range of motion. They next make light thrusting motions. Often referred to as an adjustment, this technique realigns the bones of your spine to make them straighter.

Valley Spinal Care Kierland emphasizes holistic care. Because of this, your practitioner may suggest other treatments to complement spinal manipulation, such as physical therapy or cold light laser therapy.

You shouldn’t feel any pain during your manipulation. Afterward, you may experience some aches, stiffness, and fatigue for a few days. These feelings indicate your body is adjusting to the new alignment.

This nonsurgical therapy utilizes both laser energy and infrared light to help alleviate back pain caused by a slipped disc or similar condition. The procedure involves a handheld device that your practitioner holds over your treatment area. The therapy is brief, taking between 30 seconds and several minutes.

An injury is the most common cause of low back pain. Often, an old trauma, such as a car accident, creates a misalignment in your back that results in back pain. Other causes of low back pain include:

• Scoliosis
• Osteoarthritis
• Disc degeneration
• Degenerative disc disease
• Slips and falls
• Sports injuries

Overuse, particularly from repetitive motion, is another source of low back pain.

Your practitioner at The Scottsdale Chiropractor begins with a complete physical exam. They ask about your symptoms and your medical history. They hone in on your diagnosis by recommending:

• Orthopedic tests
• Neurological exams
• Posture analysis
• Range of motion assessment

They may also suggest an X-ray of your spine.

Treatment is based on the specific cause of misalignment or nerve interference. Techniques may include:

Spinal adjustment: Spinal adjustment is a procedure to gently move your spine to its original, natural position to help relieve nerve interference that’s causing back pain. An adjustment may help you function at an optimal level and avoid pain.

Spinal decompression: This technique slowly lengthens and then releases your spine in a controlled fashion. The process creates negative pressure in your discs to relieve back pain.

Cold laser therapy: This therapy utilizes both infrared and cold laser light to alleviate back pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease swelling. The noninvasive treatment is an alternative to back surgery.

Physical therapy is another standard treatment option. Before you begin any treatment program, your practitioner explains all of the pros and cons of each procedure. You have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

The team at The Scottsdale Chiropractor develops a holistic treatment plan to alleviate your symptoms while addressing the underlying cause of your neck pain. Your treatment options include, but aren’t limited to:

• Immobilization: a neck brace to allow your injury to heal
• Physical therapy: to improve your strength and posture
• Cold light laser therapy: a noninvasive treatment to promote cellular healing

Your practitioner discusses these options, as well as others. Together, you decide on the most appropriate therapy to set you on the path to recovery. 

Your neck is a complex structure made of vertebrae, ligaments, and muscles. These tissues and bones work together to support your head and allow you to move your neck and head freely.

Sometimes, the complexity of your neck makes it prone to injuries and degenerative disorders. These conditions can limit your range of motion and trigger neck pain. You may also notice that the pain affects your arms, shoulders, or upper back.

Neck pain produces a variety of symptoms. Common signs to look for include:

• Headaches
• Neck tightness
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty turning the head
• Seek care if you experience:
• Severe or persistent pain
• Pain spreading to arms or legs
• Weakness, tingling, or numbness

Although some neck pain may eventually subside with at-home care and rest, in other cases, it’s best to seek professional care.

A complete medical history and symptom review are taken. A physical exam evaluates the range of motion and pain response. Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

A holistic treatment plan is developed based on the source of pain. Treatment options may include:

• Spinal adjustments to realign the spine
• Physical therapy to improve strength and posture
• Cold light laser therapy to promote cellular healing