Axis Health and Wellness

Herniated Disc Centennial, CO

  • Bulging & Herniated Discs
  • Spinal Decompression Care
  • No Injections or Surgery

Herniated Disc Chiropractor in Centennial, CO

Woman being treated for a herniated disc at a chiropractic office in Centennial CO

The pain from a herniated disc can be intense, and many patients often describe the sensation as a sharp pain felt in the lower back. This is what Dr. Tony Nicholas hears from his patients most of the time, and many are afraid to sneeze because it hurts. They also tend to think twice when sitting down and standing up because of this condition.

At Axis Health and Wellness in Centennial, spinal decompression can be used to treat this, and this means that many people won’t have to undergo surgery if the treatment goes well. This is a gentle alternative that reduces pressure on the surrounding nerves, and this can also bring pain relief if done right. 

How Does a Herniated Disc Feel Like?

  • Severe pain in the lower back that can take your breath away. 
  • Pain that travels down your leg when the problem is in your lower back. Others feel pain down your arm when the cause is from the nerves in the neck. 
  • It’s painful to cough, and many can’t even do their bowel movements properly because these actions can just increase the pressure that they’re feeling. 
  • Sometimes, the pain is manageable, but other times, it can be painful depending on one’s activity.

What Is Actually Happening in There?

A disc sits between two vertebrae, and it’s acting like a cushion because of its soft center. When there’s too much pressure, the core can push through the outer layer and irritate the nearby nerves, and the location where this happens can become painful. If there’s an issue with the disc at the lower back, it can cause pain down one’s legs, and this is worth getting assessed.

There are different types of disc problems, like herniated discs, while others may get a degenerative disc diagnosis. The goal of the treatment is to reduce pressure and give more room to the discs for relief. 

What’s The Treatment Built for this Medical Issue?

Spinal decompression can be helpful because it stretches the spine to slightly separate the vertebrae, and this lowers the pressure at the back. The session can last for about 20 minutes at a Chattanooga clinic, but it can vary according to experts. 

  • Luckily, the sessions are relatively painless, and many patients may even find it oddly relaxing. 
  • During a disc decompression session, expect the tightness to ease up, and this can happen during the first couple of meetings with one’s therapist. As the back starts to loosen up, other remaining sessions can get easier over time. 
  • Around a 90% success rate in Dr. Tony’s experience, for patients who follow the plan until it ends. 

“It’s designed to take bulging or herniated discs and pull them back into the center of the disc, removing the herniation. It works like gangbusters and the entire thing is amazing.”

Dr. Tony Nicholas, D.C., on spinal decompression

An important thing to know, though, is that some of the decompression treatments may not work, especially if the patient doesn’t follow the recommended plan, so it’s best to finish everything for the best results.

How a Disc Case Runs at Our Centennial Office?

  • 1Exam and x-rays first. The doctors are going to start with a thorough exam first, and they’re going to determine the target areas instead of just relying on guesses.
  • 2Finding Relief.  Typically, a minimum of two visits a week, plus decompression sessions with adjustments, are done to remove pain.
  • 3The correction phase. The specialists will make further adjustments so the herniated discs can be fully healed.
  • 4Weekly re-evaluation There will be several adjustments, but if the specialist sees that there is no improvement around the 8th to 12th visit, they will refer their patient to the appropriate medical practitioner for the best results. 

Go to the ER Instead If

  • There’s a loss of control, especially with bowel movements, because this is considered a medical emergency.
  • The pain rating is a 10 out of 10 you simply cannot handle.
  • The injury just happened in a trauma where a fracture needs to be ruled out.

Aside from the ones mentioned above, an aching back that makes it hard to breathe and the ones that affect the legs are what the decompression table is used for. 

What It Costs

Spinal decompression can be more affordable when patients choose longer sessions, and fortunately, the first visit just takes around $29. This amount already includes a thorough examination but know that the right clinic also accepts insurance except Medicaid. Patients can also pay with credit cards, FSA, HSA, Cherry, CareCredit, and cash if they want. Also,  payment plans are available, including no-interest options, and the costs will be discussed by the healthcare provider before any treatment can start.

Herniated Disc FAQs

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

The entire mission of the specialist is to be able to help people avoid surgery by offering them alternative treatments. Decompression can pull a bulging disc material back toward the center of the disc, and in Dr. Tony’s experience, it succeeds around 90% of the time when patients complete their plan. If there’s poor response, they get referred to another medical specialist who can handle their case.

Why does it hurt to cough, laugh, or use the bathroom?

These activities tend to increase pressure in the spine, and when one has a herniated disc, coughing can put more stress on the nerves that are already irritated. A simple sneeze can even trigger a sharp pain, so make sure to mention these symptoms during an examination. 

Do I need an MRI before starting?

There’s no need for an MRI just to get started, but an X-ray is required so the doctors can see if there are issues that they need to address. An MRI is only recommended if the exam shows something that needs a closer look or if the treatment doesn’t bring the expected results. 

My pain stopped. Am I healed?

Not really, because feeling better doesn’t always mean that everything is fully healed. Pain can go away, but the root cause is still present. This is why stopping the recommended treatment can allow the problem to return. Dr. Tony will explain the patient’s options, and they can decide if they want to continue or not. 

Is my neck disc treated the same way?

Herniated discs in the neck announce themselves differently, and the pain radiates down the arm. The care is mostly focused on the cervical side, which includes , dry needling for the muscle spasm that comes with it, and there can be an X-ray that’s going to be done first.

What if my disc injury came from a car accident?

When this happens, check out the auto accident care side. A customized treatment plan is made, and this usually needs the participation of the insurance company. Make sure to get medical check-ups to back up any claims that one may have for their insurance. 

Your Back Should Not Flinch at a Sneeze

Don’t leave a disc problem alone because the pain can get worse over time. Instead, get it examined and go to a clinic that’s designed to take the pressure off the discs. Fortunately, you can go to one that treats these cases, and they serve Centennial, Greenwood Village, Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, Aurora, Parker, and Castle Rock.