Dealing with Disc Pain in Chicago, IL

If you have recurring lower back pain or if the pain radiates down your leg and into your foot, it could be a sign of a slipped disc.

Also referred to as a herniated disc, this condition can cause severe, sometimes disabling, pain.

Pain Associated with a Herniated Disc

A slipped disc can be incredibly uncomfortable. However, in many cases, symptoms resolve within six weeks or less—this happens in about 90% of herniated disc cases.

If your pain persists for longer than six weeks or continues to return over months or years, it may indicate that the condition won’t improve on its own. At this point, you may want to consider other treatments, such as gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.

What Causes a Disc to Slip?

The spine consists of a series of bones called vertebrae. The front portion of each vertebra is known as the vertebral body. Between each vertebra are soft spinal discs, which have a tough, multilayered exterior and a gel-like core called the nucleus pulposus.

These discs enable flexibility in the spine, allowing us to bend forward or rotate our upper body. They also help absorb shock during activities like running or jumping.

When a disc slips, it means the disc is bulging beyond the borders of the vertebrae above and below it. There are three types of slipped discs:

• Prolapsed Disc — The disc bulges out between the vertebrae, but the outermost layer of the disc remains intact.
• Extruding Disc — A tear has occurred in the outer layer of the disc, allowing some of the disc tissue to leak out, though it is still connected to the disc.
• Sequestration — The most severe type of slipped disc, where the disc tissue has moved into the spinal canal and is no longer attached to the disc.

Although all three types of herniated discs can cause intense pain, many people find relief through gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy.

If you’re experiencing chronic disc pain and suspect you may have a slipped disc, it’s important to consult with a medical professional.

By gently adjusting the spine, our team of spinal disc specialists can help restore the spine’s natural alignment, relieving the pressure caused by the slipped disc and providing immediate pain relief.

If you or someone you know is suffering from disc pain due to a slipped disc, contact us today for a free consultation. Our expert spinal disc doctors will determine whether gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is the right treatment option for your pain.

Contact Chicago Disc Center at 847-227-8427 to Schedule Your Consultation Today!