Herniated Disc Specialist

Soma Healthcare Center

Lawrence Rugg, D.C.

Chiropractic Clinic located in Elmhurst, IL & Chicago, IL

You don’t have to live with back pain or confine yourself to bed when you have a herniated disc. Entrust your spine health to the experts at Soma Health Care Center. Families in the Chicago and Elmhurst, Illinois, area turn to our chiropractors for their compassionate, knowledgeable care. We use the leading-edge McKenzie Method® for diagnosis and treatment. If you’re in pain, call the office today for relief.

Herniated Disc

What is a herniated disc?

We all have jelly-like discs that act as cushions in between our vertebrae. When one of those soft, spongy discs slips out of alignment, the result is a herniated disc. Sometimes the disc presses into the spinal nerves, causing pain and numbness.

How do I know if I have a herniated disc?

The first clue that you have a herniated disc is pain, typically in the lower back. Other symptoms include weakness, tingling, or numbness in your back or down your legs.

Symptoms alone don’t allow for an accurate diagnosis. The clinicians at Soma Health Care Center use the McKenzie Method to identify and treat herniated discs, which involves a series of movements to help them pinpoint your problem areas and target treatment.

In severe cases, a primary care doctor or neurologist might order a CT scan or MRI to get a more detailed picture of your spine. But in most cases, your specialist is able to identify a herniated disc without costly imaging.

What are the risk factors of herniated disc?

Aging
Strenuous work environment
Poor lifting form and posture
Trauma
Extra body weight
Genetics

Can you explain more about the McKenzie Method?

At Soma Health Care Center, our professionals use the McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy®. This method involves four steps to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal issues.

The first step in your care is an initial assessment. Your specialist will ask questions about your medical history and your current symptoms. Then, he or she will test you with a variety of movements to help pinpoint the problem. Using the information gathered from the assessment, your specialist will classify your problem into one of three syndromes.

Based on your classification, your specialist will then provide treatment. He or she will give you targeted exercises to improve function in your weak areas. You get to take an active role in your own recovery by performing these exercises several times a day at home.

The fourth step is prevention. The clinicians can help you identify postures or movements that leave you susceptible to problems so you can avoid them. THey will also provide self-maintenance strategies. If you suspect you have a herniated disc, take a proactive step in your recovery my making an appointment at Soma Health Care Center.