Bottom Line:

Disc bulging (and herniations) are a natural part of the aging process. Yes, that’s right. As gravity pulls us down, we continue to age, and injuries catch up to us- our body starts to wear down and degenerative processes start. As a matter of fact, degeneration of the spine begins when we are about 30 years old!  If you have had an MRI of your spine, you may have hit the floor when looking at the report. It can be scary when you see multiple levels of your spine have disc bulges, degenerative changes, and herniations. Well, don’t despair, just because multiple levels of your spine are “not perfect”, doesn’t mean that they all are causing pain. And research shows us that you are in the right place.

Why it Matters:

If you are suffering from a disc bulge or herniation that is causing pain, adjustments may be just what the doctor ordered. Here are a few quick facts you should know:

• Over 90% of people with disc herniations were “better” or “much better” with chiropractic care.

• Within just two weeks, over 55% of people had significant improvement!

Next Steps:

Sharing is one of the best ways to show you care for your friends and family. Take this Research That Matters article and share it with a friend or family member who recently had an MRI of their spine. They may be scared and unsure of what to do next. But, once they are able to understand their condition, and that conservative care is their best option, they will be able to make a smart decision about their health!

To find out more, visit the local chiropractic office of Dr. Allan Puritz serving Westminster, Finksburg, Hampstead and Manchester MD.

Call today to schedule your visit at 410-848-8022.

Science Source: Outcomes from Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Symptomatic Cervical Disk Herniation Patients Treated with High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. October 2013 Outcomes of Acute and Chronic Patients with MRI Confirmed Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniations Receiving High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude, Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study with One Year Follow-Up. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. Volume 37, Number 3. March/April 2014 Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics.  Volume 33,  Number 8.  October 2010 Symptomatic MRI-Confirmed Lumbar Disk Herniation Patients: A Comparative Effectiveness Prospective Observational Study of 2 Age- and Sex-Matched Cohorts Treated with Either High-Velocity, Low Amplitude Spinal Manipulative Therapy or Imaging-Guided Lumbar Nerve Root Injections.  Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2013 May; 36(4):218-25