Bottom Line:
A disc herniation can make sitting, walking or training uncomfortable, and it is reasonable to have questions about the available options. An MRI finding does not automatically tell you which treatment is suitable. Discuss symptoms and examination findings with an appropriate health professional. For other information about chiropractic care, you can read chiropractic care during pregnancy and techniques and care options.
Why it Matters:
Disc herniations can follow different courses and some become smaller over time. Results reported in selected patient studies do not establish that chiropractic manipulation causes discs to heal or provides better results than injections for everyone. Our related article about scoliosis assessment discusses a different spinal concern.
Many people with back symptoms begin by discussing non-surgical care options, but medication, injections, surgery or other approaches may be considered depending on the presentation. No single treatment is automatically best or a last resort for every person.
Next Steps:
If you’re unsure what a disc report means for your daily activities, MyChiro in Bondi Junction offers new patients a free initial consultation including assessment and advice. Treatment is not included, and optional same-day treatment is $125 if clinically appropriate. We’ll discuss suitable options, costs and any need for referral without promising a particular outcome.
Science Source(s):
Outcomes of acute and chronic patients with magnetic resonance imaging-confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations receiving high-velocity, low-amplitude, spinal manipulative therapy: a prospective observational cohort study with one-year follow-up.
Symptomatic, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Cervical Disk Herniation Patients: A Comparative-Effectiveness Prospective Observational Study of 2 Age- and Sex-Matched Cohorts Treated With Either Imaging-Guided Indirect Cervical Nerve Root Injections or Spinal Manipulative Therapy.
