Lumbar Disc Herniation

The annulus of the intervertebral disk is a strong and dense cartilaginous fiber that protects the nucleus within, facilitating the movement of the spine. If the annulus structure is compromised, the nucleus can leak into or beyond the annulus, leading to a disk herniation, protrusion, extrusion, or sequestration. When a disk herniation in the lumbar spine places pressure on a lumbar nerve root, an individual may feel pain down into the leg, which is called lumbosacral radiculopathy or sciatica. In the absence of red flags such as infection, fracture, cancer, and cauda equina syndrome (loss of bowel and/or bladder control), conservative treatment approaches are generally advised before consulting with a surgeon.

In 2022, researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study that looked at outcomes of more than 11,000 patients under age 49 with a newly diagnosed lumbar disk herniation, half of whom received initial treatment from a doctor of chiropractic. While the authors of the study note that additional studies are needed, their analysis revealed that lumbar disk herniation patients whose first choice of treatment is chiropractic care are significantly (up to two-times) less likely to undergo lumbar diskectomy in the following two years than disk patients who initially seek out a different healthcare provider.

If you have been diagnosed with lumbar disk herniation, we at Morgan Chiropractic can help you. Our chiropractic care is a conservative treatment approach that can help alleviate your pain and improve your quality of life. We offer personalized treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs. Our goal is to help you recover as quickly as possible and get back to doing the things you love. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.