One of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor is back pain. Back pain can take many forms, ranging from issues with the paraspinal muscles to problems with the neck or pelvis. The spine is a delicate structure with discs between the vertebrae. Doctors who treat these can be sometimes referred to as Disc Degeneration Doctors. The discs that support your back are there to provide a cushion for the vertebrae. Sometimes, problems can develop with these discs, leading to back pain. These problems can come in many forms.
A herniated disc is a disc that has ruptured. Typically, a herniated disc develops gradually as a side effect of age-related wear and tear. In other situations, this disc can tear acutely following a serious accident. Regardless, the cushion between the vertebrae is gone and the vertebrae start to rub together. This can also compress the nerves as they leave the spine, leading to shooting pains down the arms and legs. The exact location of these shooting pains is going to depend on the location of the herniation. Most of these herniations take place in the lower spine; however, they can take place at the top of the spine as well, leading to neck pain. This can be a debilitating condition for people to have to deal with.
A bulging disc is similar to a herniated disc; however, the disc is not completely ruptured. A bulging disc may start to stick out into the spinal canal, compressing some of the nerves intermittently. As a result, the pain may come and go. People might also notice that the pain can change depending on the position that they're in. It is important for everyone with these symptoms to get checked out immediately before the disc ruptures completely, leading to the problems above. Most of these bulging discs are in the lumbar region; however, they can be at the top, causing neck pain as well.
In other situations, people might have partial tears of a disc. When the cushion between the vertebrae starts to fade, problems start to develop. The vertebrae can compress upon each other and rub back and forth, leading to serious pain. These tears typically develop following a combination of both trauma and degeneration. Fortunately, there are treatment options available. A trained chiropractor can identify the location of the problem and perform corrective exercises and adjustments.
Degenerative disc disease is the term used to refer to osteoarthritis that develops in the spine. Arthritis develops with the cartilage cushion between the joints starts to fade. In this case, the target is the discs in the spine. As these discs start to degrade, people are going to notice back pain. This inflammation is going to get worse, eroding the vertebrae and the discs themselves. With this disease, everyone deserves the attention of a trained disc degeneration doctor.
While many people assume that they are going to need surgery to correct their disc problems, this isn't always the case. At Northeast Chiropractic Center, we make sure that we take a well-rounded approach to every disc problem. We strive to identify the root cause of the problem instead of just treating the symptoms. To this end, we provide a wide range of services that everyone can enjoy.
We provide expert chiropractic care complete with spine manipulations and adjustments that will make sure that everyone's spines are aligned properly, relieving a lot of the causes of back pain. We also provide massage therapy to focus on total body wellness. Our team is also capable of handling auto accident injury recovery, helping people get back on their feet as quickly as possible. Our doctors are even experienced with prenatal care, allowing people to carry their unborn child to term as stress-free as possible.
We do all of this to place the needs of our patients first. We have been serving the area of Fort Wayne, IN for years and provide same-day appointments with free patient consultations. We know that every patient has different needs and, to that end, we will come up with a comprehensive treatment plan that focuses on you. Call today at (260) 245-0460 to make an appointment!
At North East Chiropractic Center, our diagnostic process begins with a comprehensive physical assessment and a review of your lifestyle history. Dr. Osenga conducts orthopedic and range-of-motion tests to identify specific areas of mechanical stress. If a deeper look is necessary, we use on-site digital X-rays to assess spinal alignment, measure disc space narrowing, and check for signs of osteoarthritis.
Because spinal degeneration develops over several years, relief and structural stabilization require time. Many patients notice improved flexibility and comfort within a few weeks of consistent care. Your custom care plan will depend entirely on the severity of your disc degradation, your overall health, and how well your spine responds to foundational adjustments.
Yes, spinal decompression is a non-invasive, gentle option for many individuals experiencing disc issues. This specialized approach uses a computerized table to gently stretch the spine, creating negative pressure within the intervertebral spaces. This process helps relieve direct structural pressure on compressed nerves and encourages nutrients and fluids to flow back into the thinned discs, facilitating natural lifestyle management without surgical intervention.
Worn or degraded spinal discs cannot completely grow back or be structurally reversed. However, professional chiropractic care does more than simply mask your symptoms. By applying precise spinal adjustments, we aim to restore healthy structural alignment and improve joint mechanics. This reduces uneven mechanical pressure on the fading cushions, helping to limit further wear, minimize chronic inflammation, and improve your daily mobility.
While conservative chiropractic care is highly effective for managing chronic and mechanical disc problems, certain red flags require immediate emergency intervention. If your disc pain is accompanied by a sudden loss of bowel or bladder control, severe numbness in your groin area, or rapidly progressive weakness that causes your leg to buckle, you should go to an emergency room immediately.
Monday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday Closed
