Chiropractic care with a local professional can improve your spinal health. After all, your vertebrae bear the weight of your body all the time. When you put a lot of strain on your back, it can create problems for your spinal discs. As a result, you may need to visit Dr. Brian Willyard at Action Chiropractic in Port Orchard, WA.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

With the exception of the top two in the neck and the ones that are fused together in your sacrum and coccyx, your vertebrae are separated by spinal discs. If pressure or injury happens, the gelatinous inner material of the disc may bulge out into the fibrous, protective exterior. As the inner material bulges, it often presses against a nearby nerve. The only way to fix a herniated disc is with professional intervention, such as that of a chiropractor.

What Causes It?

There is no one sole cause of herniated discs. For some people, it may happen quickly due to trauma from an accident or bad fall. Some people may gradually develop this condition over time due to improper heavy lifting or repetitive movement, such as jobs in construction or industrial warehouses. As people age, they can become more susceptible to back problems as discs weaken or lose fluid.

Your overall health can also exacerbate this condition, as excessive weight or bad posture puts pressure on the lower back.

What Issues Can It Cause?

A herniated disc can continue to worsen without treatment. It can cause extreme pain, numbness, and tingling if it compresses a nearby nerve. If it compresses against the sciatic nerve, you may experience pain radiating from your lower back to the back of each heel, and if the herniated disc is in your neck, it may send shocks into your shoulders and arms.

How Can Dr. Willyard Help?

As your local Port Orchard, WA, chiropractor, Dr. Willyard has many techniques he can customize for your particular situation based on the severity of your disc injury. In addition to traction, he may use chiropractic adjustments, massage, or cryotherapy treatment to help realign your spine and relieve swelling in soft tissues. 

He can also advise you about lifestyle adjustments to prevent a recurrence of this issue. Dr. Willyard can demonstrate various stretching techniques you can do at home to resolve pressure on your back. You may also need to change your office setup or how you drive so you can keep better posture.

Dr. Willyard is your caring practitioner at Action Chiropractic. When you have a herniated disc in Port Orchard, WA, it can cause pain, numbness, mobility issues, and tingling. Stop this condition in its tracks and call us at 360-876-6865 today.