Disc Herniation Treatment in Austin, TX
WHAT IS DISK HERNIATION
A disc herniation is an injury to an intervertebral disc, the cartilage pad that separates the vertebrae (the bones of the spine). It can occur in the cervical spine (neck) and cause pain into the arm, wrist, and fingers; in the thoracic spine (mid-back) and cause pain in the mid-back and around the chest; or in the lumbar spine (low back) and cause pain into the thigh, calf, ankle, foot, and toes.
At Whole Body Health in Austin, we offer non-surgical care to relieve that pain and support healing.
Types of Disc Herniation
A disc herniation goes by several names, including:
- Ruptured disc
- Herniated disc
- Slipped disc
- Bulging disc
- Protruding disc
- Extruding disc
They all come down to two basic types:
- Contained herniation: the center of the disc (the nucleus) stays within the outer annular fibers, usually causing low back pain and sometimes leg pain.
- Non-contained herniation: the nucleus escapes through the outer annular fibers, usually resulting in leg pain.
Each section of the spine is examined, diagnosed, and treated a little differently, but the goal is the same: a return to your pain-free quality of life as quickly as safely possible.
Our Non-Surgical Treatment Approach
At Whole Body Health, we focus on non-surgical care that takes pressure off the disc and supports its natural healing. In office, Dr. Ulery uses:
- Muscle balancing techniques to relieve the muscular tension pulling on the spine
- The McKenzie method, a structured approach of specific movements and positions
- Specific low-force adjustments to reduce pressure in the disc, so the nucleus can move back toward the center, support healing of the torn annular fibers, and help clear the chemicals that irritate the spinal nerves
Depending on your needs, care may also draw on our other therapies and rehab options, including dry needling, and, where stress is contributing to your pain, Neuro Emotional Technique (NET).
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING HEALING
Feeling pain-free again, sometimes for the first time in weeks, months, or years, is a real milestone. It helps to remember that a torn disc takes about three months to heal well enough to return to daily activities like prolonged computer work, lifting, and twisting. The first three to four weeks of focused treatment, therapies, and at-home care are designed to give the disc the best opportunity to heal quickly.
At home, supportive habits include:
- Avoiding sleeping on your stomach
- Sleeping on a good, supportive mattress
- Doing your recommended exercises consistently
- Taking nutritional supplements that help rebuild disc cartilage, as advised
- Modifying your daily activities as needed
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
Many disc herniations improve with non-surgical care. At Whole Body Health, we use muscle balancing, the McKenzie method, and specific low-force adjustments to reduce pressure on the disc and support natural healing. Dr. Ulery will assess your situation and explain what to expect.
How long does it take a herniated disc to heal?
A torn disc generally takes about three months to heal enough to return to everyday activities like prolonged sitting, lifting, and twisting. The first three to four weeks of focused treatment and at-home care set the stage for that recovery.
What is the difference between a contained and non-contained disc herniation?
In a contained herniation, the center of the disc (the nucleus) stays within the outer fibers, usually causing low back pain and sometimes leg pain. In a non-contained herniation, the nucleus escapes through the outer fibers, which more often causes leg pain.
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