FAQ 1: Is chiropractic safe for herniated discs?

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Yes. Chiropractic care, when appropriately applied by a trained clinician, is widely recognized as safe and effective for herniated discs.¹⁰,¹¹ Our approach is gentle, evidence-based, and tailored to your specific disc type and location.

Research shows the risk of chiropractic manipulation causing a clinically worsened disc herniation is less than 1 in 3.7 million.¹² In contrast, surgery carries risks of infection, nerve damage, and complications.

We use precise, low-force techniques specifically designed for disc conditions. You're in experienced hands.

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FAQ 2: Will my herniated disc heal without surgery?

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Most likely, yes. Research consistently shows that 66-67% of herniated discs spontaneously shrink (resorb) with conservative treatment.¹,² This phenomenon is well-documented on repeat MRI imaging.

The larger and more severe the herniation (extrusions and sequestrations), the more likely it is to naturally resorb because these trigger stronger healing responses.²,⁴

With proper conservative treatment—including chiropractic care, targeted exercise, and rehabilitation—most patients experience significant improvement within 4-12 weeks.⁵,⁸

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FAQ 3: How long until I feel better?

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Most patients experience noticeable pain reduction within 1-3 weeks of starting treatment.⁵,⁸ Significant functional improvement typically occurs within 4-8 weeks.

Complete resolution varies based on:

• Disc type and severity (extrusions often heal faster than protrusions)

• Duration of symptoms before treatment (earlier = faster)

• Your consistency with home exercises

• Overall health and age

• Presence of other spinal conditions

Typical timelines:

• Mild herniation: 4-6 weeks to major improvement

• Moderate herniation: 6-10 weeks to major improvement

• Severe or chronic herniation: 8-16 weeks to major improvement

We provide a personalized timeline after reviewing your MRI and examination findings.

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FAQ 4: Do I really need an MRI?

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For herniated disc cases, yes—MRI is the gold standard for diagnosis. Here's why:

MRI allows us to:

• Confirm the presence, location, and type of herniation

• Determine severity (bulge, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration)

• Identify nerve compression and which nerve is affected

• Rule out serious conditions (tumors, infections, fractures)

• Create a targeted, effective treatment plan

• Track healing progress with follow-up imaging

X-rays alone cannot show disc herniations—only MRI or CT can visualize soft tissues.¹³

If you don't have recent MRI (within 3-6 months), we'll discuss ordering one or can refer you for imaging if needed.

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FAQ 5: What will treatment feel like?

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Our herniated disc treatment is gentle and designed for your comfort:

• Spinal manipulation - Controlled, low-force adjustments. You may hear a "pop" (gas release), but it's not painful. Most patients feel immediate relief.

• Flexion-distraction - A specialized table gently stretches your spine. Feels like a gentle rocking motion. Very comfortable.

• Soft tissue therapy - Similar to deep massage. Releases muscle tension.

• Therapeutic modalities - Electrical stimulation (gentle tingling sensation), ice/heat (soothing), ultrasound (you feel nothing).

• Exercises - Targeted stretches and movements you can do at home.

Most patients describe treatment as relaxing. Temporary soreness (like after a workout) can occur in the first few sessions but resolves quickly.¹⁰,¹¹

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FAQ 6: How often will I need to come in?

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Visit frequency depends on disc severity, but typically:

Weeks 1-3: 2-3 times per week
Intensive pain relief and inflammation control phase. Frequent visits help accelerate healing.

Weeks 4-8: 1-2 times per week
Rehabilitation and strengthening phase. Less frequent as you improve.

Weeks 8+: As-needed or maintenance
Periodic visits for monitoring and prevention, or discharge if fully recovered.

Most herniated disc patients require 12-20 visits over 8-12 weeks.¹⁴ We also provide home exercises you perform daily to speed recovery.

Your specific schedule will be determined after your initial evaluation.

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FAQ 7: What if I've had symptoms for months or years?

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Chronic herniated discs (symptoms lasting 6+ months or years) are more challenging but absolutely treatable.¹⁵

The longer symptoms persist, the more changes occur in:

• Nerve sensitivity (central sensitization)

• Muscle weakness and atrophy

• Movement patterns and compensations

• Psychological factors (fear of movement, anxiety)

However, research shows that even chronic disc herniations respond well to comprehensive conservative treatment.¹⁵ It simply takes longer—often 12-20 weeks instead of 6-10 weeks.

We've successfully treated many patients with chronic disc herniations who avoided surgery.

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FAQ 8: Will my herniated disc come back?

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Recurrence risk exists but is significantly reduced when treatment includes:

✓ Core stabilization - Strengthening deep spinal muscles that protect discs. Research shows this reduces recurrence.⁹,¹⁶
✓ Proper movement mechanics - Learning how to lift, bend, and move safely
✓ Postural correction - Addressing positions and habits that stress discs
✓ Ongoing exercise - Maintaining strength and flexibility long-term

Studies show that exercise-based rehabilitation reduces recurrence rates of disc-related back pain by approximately 50%.¹⁶

Our approach treats the root cause—not just symptoms—so recurrence is uncommon. Most of our successfully treated herniated disc patients remain pain-free long-term.