A common term like “slipped disc” refers to a condition where one of the rubbery cushions between the spinal vertebrae is damaged. These cushions are medically known as intervertebral discs, and the injury can manifest as a bulge or a rupture. Chiropractic care often provides a non-surgical, non-pharmacological path to managing the pain and symptoms associated with this injury, though its appropriateness depends on the exact nature and severity of the disc injury.
What is a Herniated or Bulging Disc
The spine’s discs are composed of two distinct parts: a tough outer ring called the annulus fibrosus and a soft, gel-like interior known as the nucleus pulposus. A bulging disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus weakens, allowing the disc to protrude outward and place pressure on nearby nerves, but the outer layer remains intact. The disc injury is considered a herniation when the nucleus pulposus pushes completely through a tear in the annulus fibrosus. This leakage of the inner material is often more irritating to the surrounding nerves.
The primary symptoms of either a bulge or a herniation arise when the displaced disc material or the resulting inflammation presses on a spinal nerve root. This nerve compression frequently causes radiculopathy, which is pain that radiates away from the spine. In the lower back, a common manifestation is sciatica, characterized by sharp pain, numbness, or tingling that travels down the leg, and muscle weakness in the limbs served by the affected nerve is also a frequent complaint.
Specific Chiropractic Methods for Relief
One highly specific technique chiropractors utilize is the Flexion-Distraction technique, often performed on a specialized table that gently stretches and flexes the spine. This low-force, repetitive motion aims to create a negative pressure within the disc, which can help draw the herniated nucleus pulposus material away from the nerve root. The gentle pumping motion also improves circulation to the disc, promoting the exchange of fluids and nutrients necessary for healing.
Mechanical Spinal Decompression Therapy is a related, traction-based treatment that uses a motorized table to apply controlled, intermittent pulling forces to the spine. This targeted stretching works to decompress the spine and create space between the vertebrae. The resulting negative intradiscal pressure is thought to help the bulging or herniated disc material retract, which in turn alleviates direct mechanical pressure on the compressed nerve. This approach is customizable to treat injuries in both the lumbar (lower back) and cervical (neck) regions.
Another gentle approach is Pelvic Blocking, which involves placing cushioned wedges beneath specific areas of the pelvis as the patient lies on the table. This technique uses the patient’s body weight and gravity to encourage a subtle, self-correcting realignment of the sacroiliac joints and the lower spine. By addressing underlying biomechanical issues, pelvic blocking can reduce tension and secondary strain that contributes to disc pain. This method is particularly useful for patients who may not tolerate more forceful adjustments.
A comprehensive treatment plan also includes soft tissue therapies and rehabilitative exercises. Chiropractors may use manual soft tissue work to relax hypertonic muscles that are spasming in response to the disc injury. Therapeutic exercises, such as those emphasizing core stabilization or the McKenzie method of directional preference, are then prescribed to strengthen supporting musculature and improve spinal flexibility. These exercises are designed to help centralize the pain, moving it from the extremities back toward the spine, and are crucial for preventing future injury.
Determining If Chiropractic Care Is Right For You
Current research indicates that chiropractic care, particularly spinal manipulation and mobilization, can provide moderate short-term benefits for patients experiencing low back pain and disability, including those with disc involvement. Studies have shown that active spinal manipulation is more effective than simulated manipulation for reducing pain in cases of acute sciatica with disc protrusion. For both acute and chronic low back pain, chiropractic treatment is often viewed as a comparable and effective non-pharmacological option alongside physical therapy and standard medical care.
Despite its general effectiveness, chiropractic care is not suitable for every disc injury, and a thorough evaluation is required before treatment begins. Chiropractors are trained to screen for specific “red flags” that indicate a more serious condition requiring immediate medical referral. Absolute contraindications for spinal manipulation include conditions such as severe, progressive neurological deficits, cauda equina syndrome, or an acute fracture.
For many patients with disc pathology, the approach is not a choice between a chiropractor or a medical doctor, but rather a multidisciplinary co-management strategy. The chiropractor focuses on restoring spinal mechanics and reducing nerve irritation, while other specialists may provide pain management injections or physical therapy protocols. When a disc injury includes nerve symptoms, the chiropractor will often utilize the gentler techniques, such as flexion-distraction or pelvic blocking, rather than high-velocity adjustments.