Can a Chiropractor Help with a Herniated Disc?
If you're experiencing sharp back pain, numbness, or tingling radiating down your leg, you may be dealing with a herniated disc.
Many patients we treat at Cruz Chiropractic seek chiropractic care as a non-surgical treatment option for herniated disc relief. Chiropractors can indeed help with herniated discs through specialized spinal adjustments, decompression therapy, and targeted rehabilitation exercises that address the root cause of your pain. Whether you're a busy professional working in Midtown, a resident of the Gramercy area, or someone from nearby Chelsea or Union Square looking for effective herniated disc treatment, understanding how chiropractic care works can help you make an informed decision about your spine health and get you back to enjoying everything New York City has to offer.
Surgery is not your only option, and I highly recommend you try non-invasive options, like chiropractic care, first.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. This can happen due to age-related wear and tear, sudden injury, or repetitive strain. When the herniated material presses on nearby nerves and nerve roots, it can cause significant pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling that often radiates into your arms or legs.
Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:
Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs
Numbness or tingling in the affected area
Muscle weakness
Pain that worsens with certain movements like bending or twisting
Sciatica (pain radiating down the leg)
Since you're reading this blog post and doing research on herniated discs, my assumption is that you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms.
But I do want to point out that many folks who have herniated discs do not have any symptoms at all.
The goal with chiropractic care is to decrease/eliminate the symptoms you feel and prevent them from coming back. In the future, even if you have a herniated disc, you may not feel any of the aforementioned symptoms, which is the ultimate goal.
How Long Does a Herniated Disc Last?
When you have a herniated disc, you'd do anything to not feel the symptoms you're feeling. How long, exactly, symptoms last is dependent on many different things.
Ultimately, the goal is to have less pain overall, fewer episodes of debilitating pain over time, increased ability to move with less pain, and then eventually, experience fewer and fewer episodes of pain over time until eventually, you forget you went through this at all.
Learn more about how long herniated discs last.
How Chiropractic Care Addresses Herniated Discs
Chiropractors use a variety of non-invasive techniques specifically designed to relieve the pressure on intervertebral discs and promote natural healing.
The approach is tailored to your specific condition, location of the herniation, and overall health status. A one-size-fits-all approach is not what we opt for at Cruz Chiropractic; your treatment will be specific to you.
Spinal Adjustments
Gentle, controlled spinal manipulations can help improve spinal alignment and reduce pressure on the affected disc. Chiropractors use specific techniques like the flexion-distraction technique, which involves a gentle pumping action on the herniated disc area rather than direct force. This can help move the disc away from the nerve, reducing inflammation and pain.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a specialized treatment that uses a traction table to gently stretch the spine. This creates negative pressure within the disc, which can help retract the herniated material and promote the flow of healing nutrients into the disc. Many patients experience significant relief after a series of decompression sessions.
Manual Therapy, Soft Tissue Work, Red Light Therapy, and Cupping Therapy
In addition to spinal adjustments, we often incorporate massage therapy, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy to address muscle tension and spasms that commonly accompany herniated discs. Relaxing the surrounding muscles can provide additional pain relief and support the healing process.
We also offer red light therapy and cupping therapy in or office and see fantastic results with our clients who have back pain and symptoms after herniating a disc.
Therapeutic Exercises
A crucial component of chiropractic care for herniated discs is a customized exercise program. Your chiropractor will guide you through specific stretches and strengthening exercises designed to:
Improve flexibility and range of motion
Strengthen the core muscles that support your spine
Reduce pressure on the affected disc
Prevent future injuries
Get you back to doing what you love (CrossFit, Yoga, etc.)
Learn more about exercises for herniated discs and sciatica here.
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first visit will involve a comprehensive physical examination, including a review of your medical history, physical assessment, and possibly imaging studies.
Your chiropractor will develop a personalized treatment plan based on the severity and location of your herniation.
Treatment typically involves multiple sessions over several weeks or months. Many patients begin to experience relief within the first few weeks, though complete healing takes time. Your chiropractor will monitor your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Is Chiropractic Care Right for Your Herniated Disc?
Chiropractic care can be highly effective for many people with herniated discs, particularly those who want to avoid surgery or are looking for conservative treatment options first.
Research has shown that chiropractic manipulation can provide significant pain relief and improved function for patients with herniated discs.
However, chiropractic care may not be appropriate in all cases.
Severe herniations with significant nerve compression, cauda equina syndrome (a rare but serious condition), or cases where conservative treatment did not give the results that were wanted may require surgical intervention.
We will work with you to determine the best course of action and will refer you to other specialists if necessary.
Where to Find Chiropractic Care in Midtown and Lower Manhattan
If you're struggling with a herniated disc, chiropractic care offers a safe, effective, and non-invasive approach to pain relief and healing.
By addressing the underlying mechanical issues and supporting your body's natural healing processes, chiropractors can help you return to the activities you love without the need for surgery or long-term medication use.
We'd love to work with you at Cruz Chiropractic. We offer the best chiropractic care in NYC's Flatiron District, Gramercy Park, and surrounding areas (of course, we’re biased, but we’d love to show you how we’re different). We also offer mobile chiropractic/conceirge options so you can get care from the comfort of your own home or office.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms and explore whether chiropractic care is the right solution for you. We can attest that with the right treatment plan, many patients experience significant improvement and get back to living pain-free.
Not sure what’s safe to do? Book a 15‑minute consult and let’s build your custom treatment plan.
