Herniated discs
Your back is made up of muscles, ligaments, discs, joints and bones. The bones that go from the neck and extend down your back are called vertebrae. Each vertebra is cushioned by a disc, which has three primary functions:
- Shock absorption
- Allows for mobility of the spine
- Holds the spinal vertebrae together
A disc requires a high water content to function properly. Without this proper hydration, the disc will weaken, be inflexible and cannot support heavy loads. What causes the disc to become dehydrated? It can be from injury, inadequate nutrition or poor body mechanics. The disc is then unable to support the spinal bones and can result in a herniation or bulge.
The Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
If a cervical disc is herniated, you will experience pain in the hands, arms, chest, neck and shoulders. It is commonly found in those who are 30-50 years old. The symptoms typically seem to appear spontaneously rather than by a form of trauma. If you have arm pain from a cervical disc, it occurs because a cervical nerve is being pinched or pressed on by the disc material.
The signs that you may have a herniated disc in your neck include
- Neck, shoulder or arm pain
- Radiating arm pain
- Numbness, weakness or tingling in the arm or hand
The pain can range from a dull, aching sensation to sharp, burning and can be easily pinpointed.
How Our Class IV Laser Helps
Our form of laser therapy will reduce pain and inflammation while accelerating your healing. The neuronal impulses and release of endorphins are boosted, which cuts down on your pain. The inflammatory factors and edema are decreased, which results in less inflammation. Your blood flow and collagen production are increased, cytokines released, and fibroblast activity stimulated, which combine for your greater healing power.
