Disc Issues & Herniated Disc Care
Disc Issues & Herniated Disc Care
Most disc issues don’t need surgery. They need the pressure taken off and time to heal. We help with both.
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- Best of Omaha
- 18 years in West Omaha
- Most insurance accepted
- Conservative care first
What a disc issue actually means
Discs are cushions between your vertebrae. They absorb shock, allow movement, and protect the nerves passing through your spine. A disc “issue” usually means one of these:
- Bulging disc, the outer layer is intact but pushed out of shape, often pressing on nearby nerves
- Herniated disc, the outer layer has cracked and the inner gel has leaked out, often irritating nerves chemically as well as mechanically
- Disc degeneration, gradual thinning and drying out of the disc over years, reducing cushioning
- Disc bulge causing radiculopathy, nerve compression that creates pain, numbness, or weakness down an arm or leg
The good news: most disc issues respond well to conservative care. Studies show that most herniated discs actually resorb (the body reabsorbs the leaked material) over 6 to 12 months when given the right environment.
How we treat disc issues
Specific, gentle adjustments. Disc cases require a different approach from generic adjustments. We use techniques specifically designed for disc compression, focused on taking pressure off the disc and the nerve.
Decompression-style work. Specific techniques and positions that open up the space around the disc, reducing the pressure that’s causing your symptoms.
Dry needling and acupuncture. Reduces the muscle guarding and inflammation that always shows up around a disc injury.
McKenzie method exercises. Specific movements that, when done correctly, can centralize disc pain (move it from the leg back toward the low back, which is the direction of healing).
Activity modification. Clear guidance on what to do, what to avoid, and how to sleep, sit, and lift in ways that let the disc heal.
What to expect at your first visit
- History. When did symptoms start, what makes them worse, where do you feel them, any numbness/weakness, any imaging done?
- Exam. Orthopedic and neurological tests to confirm which disc is involved and rule out red flags. Specific tests like straight leg raise, slump test, and reflex/strength screening.
- Treatment plan. Realistic timeline, what we’re going to do, and what improvement to expect at each milestone.
- First treatment. Gentle and conservative the first visit, discs don’t respond well to aggressive treatment early on.
When a disc issue needs surgery
Most don’t. The cases that do typically include:
- Cauda equina syndrome (loss of bowel/bladder control, saddle numbness), emergency
- Progressive, significant weakness in a leg or foot
- Severe pain that doesn’t respond to 6 to 12 weeks of conservative care
If any of these describe your situation, we’ll refer you to a spine specialist or send you to the ER, depending on the severity. For everyone else, and that’s the great majority, conservative care is the right place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to get adjusted with a herniated disc?
With the right technique, yes. We use disc-specific adjustments, not the generic “twist and crack” approach. The exam tells us what your spine can safely handle, and we adjust the technique accordingly.
Do I need an MRI before I can be treated?
Not necessarily. The orthopedic and neurological exam tells us what we need to start treatment safely. If your case isn’t responding, or if there are signs of significant nerve damage, we’ll refer for imaging.
Will a herniated disc heal on its own?
Often yes. Research shows most disc herniations resorb (the body reabsorbs the leaked disc material) within 6 to 12 months when given the right environment. Conservative care helps create that environment.
How long until I feel better?
Most patients with disc-related pain feel noticeable improvement within 4 to 6 visits. Full resolution typically takes 8 to 16 visits over 6 to 12 weeks, with maintenance to keep things stable after.
Related reading
Get your disc issue evaluated
Most disc problems get better with the right conservative care. The first visit tells you exactly what’s going on and what your options are.