Low back pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms that lead people to seek diagnosis and treatment with a healthcare professional. When the individual’s low back pain is accompanied with pain in one or both legs or buttocks, resulting in symptoms similar to sciatica, it may be an indicator that the patient may have a lumbar disc herniation, also referred to as a herniated disc, ruptured disc, or slipped disc.

Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine

The lumbar spine consists of five vertebrae that extend through the length of the ribcage and pelvis. From top to bottom, these vertebrae are medically labeled L1 through L5 and they’re each separated by intervertebral discs. The discs are made up of a fibrous tissue known as the annulus with a soft nucleus found at the center of each disc. These discs are fundamental towards the proper function of the spine, performing the important roles of shock absorption and distribution of pressure.

In the instance the annulus becomes ruptured or torn, the nucleus can become separated from the disc. This complication can decrease the disc’s ability to properly separate the vertebrae, an issue which often leads to increased pressure due to the compression or impingement of the spinal nerves found between each vertebrae of the spine. Individuals with a lumbar disc herniation and symptoms of sciatica commonly experience pain and discomfort related to the pinching of the nerves, which can in turn radiate down the legs.

Generally, a herniated disc is caused by the natural degeneration of the body’s structures as we age. If not diagnosed or treated in time, however, this simple wear and tear complication can develop into a more serious injury or condition. In addition, intervertebral discs can also tear due to trauma from heavy lifting or as a result of a sudden injury, such as an automobile accident or a work injury.

Diagnosing a Lumbar Disc Herniation

A chiropractor can properly diagnose a variety of injuries or conditions relating to the musculoskeletal and nervous system, including a lumbar disc herniation. During the first consultation, the chiropractor will conduct a thorough physical exam, including a comprehensive review of your medical history and test results. Using this, the healthcare professional will be able to determine the source of the symptoms. In many cases, the specialist may require additional tests to confirm the presence of a specific injury and/or condition. Most chiropractic offices will provide you with up to date information about your diagnosis, as well as the risks and benefits of each treatment option. Chiropractors will work with the individual personally to decide on the best treatment option for their complication.

Treating a Lumbar Disc Herniation

Chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulations are the most common forms of treatment provided by a doctor of chiropractic, or DC. Using this gentle techniques, the healthcare specialist will carefully realign the spine, correcting the subluxations in order to decrease and eliminate the symptoms caused by nerve compression or impingement. Chiropractors may also redirect a patient to receive other types of treatment depending on the severity of their issue. Chiropractic care can help restore an individual’s strength, mobility and flexibility, offering a wide variety of benefits. Chiropractic treatment is well-known for its natural benefits, including the enhancement of many functions of the body.

Chiropractic Can Improve Sex Life

Many people visit the chiropractor with back pain, but after several sessions of treatment, they often return reporting that their sex life has improved. Jason Helfrich, co-founder and CEO of 100% Chiropractic, stated that the body can positively respond in many aspects when the unnecessary pressure on the nervous system is decreased or removed.

Every function of the body is controlled by the nervous system, however, when the spine is misaligned, known as a subluxation, the nerves traveling between the brain and the rest of the body, these can become blocked, compromising the body’s ability to function properly. A chiropractor’s goal is to remove these subluxations, since they can both cause pain and impede feeling. But treatment can help more than just improve symptoms of back pain. The lumbar region of the spine is where the nerves that extend into your reproductive regions are found. Correcting misalignments in the lower spine can improve nerve flow to your sexual organs, increasing things like blood flow to your clitoris or the penis.

“Correcting a spinal subluxation also allows the organs to send messages to the brain more easily. This means that not only do you become physically aroused faster, but your brain also registers that ready-for-action, heightened sense of pleasure more quickly, so you move past the mental obstacles that may be keeping you from orgasming”, quoted Helfrich.

Other Adjustments for an Improved Sex Life

Libido and fertility need a proper balance of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones, many of which are released in the upper cervical and neck area of the body. If there are any misalignments or subluxations in the upper region of the spine, the nerve transmissions exiting the brain can be interrupted due to the compression or impingement of these tissues, which will ultimately have an effect all the way down to the reproductive organs, among others.

Including fertility is affected by the nerves and hormones coming out of the spine, as they control the reproductive cycle.

Beyond all of the physiological benefits of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, chiropractic treatment can also simply give the muscles more range of motion. This means you can try previously difficult positions under the sheets, enhancing an individual’s sex life further.

“We want to improve people’s health, and health is about living life as its intended. Having a great sex life is huge part of that”, Jason Helfrich concluded.

A lumbar spine herniation can lead to a variety of symptoms, primarily characterized as sciatica. The spinal impingement of compression caused by the disorder can additionally lead to other complications along the lower extremities of the body. A spinal misalignment in the lower back can even cause issues relating to the reproductive system. In the case of a lumbar spine herniation, however, chiropractic care can help improve the condition and its symptoms, improving overall performance.

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 . 

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.elpasobackclinic.com

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Low Back Pain After Auto Injury

After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. An auto collision can ultimately affect the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues surrounding the spine, commonly the lumbar region of the spine, causing symptoms such as low back pain. Sciatica is a common set of symptoms after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.

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