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Struggling with neck or back pain? Sharp, radiating pain. Numbness or tingling. Weakness in your arms or legs. A herniated disc may be the cause.
A herniated disc can take you from feeling active and strong to struggling through simple daily tasks. But there’s hope! At Hughes Health, we focus on non-surgical solutions to reduce pain, restore function, and prevent future injuries. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports chiropractic physicians at Hughes Health and get back to the active, pain-free life you deserve.
About Disc Herniations
& Anatomy That Contributes
Your spine is a complex structure made up of vertebrae, intervertebral discs, muscles, and nerves that work together to provide flexibility, stability, and movement. Between each vertebra sits a soft, gel-like disc that acts as a cushion, absorbing shock and preventing friction between bones. When one of these discs bulges or ruptures, it can put pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, weakness, or restricted movement.
Several key structures contribute to spinal health and can play a role in disc herniations:
1) Intervertebral Discs – Shock-absorbing cushions that prevent vertebrae from rubbing together.
2) Paraspinal Muscles – Deep muscles that provide strength and stability to the spine.
3) Multifidus & Erector Spinae Muscles – Essential for maintaining spinal posture and movement.
4) Pelvic & Core Muscles – Work together to support the lower back and reduce strain on the spine.
5) Spinal Nerves – Branch out from the spinal cord; when compressed by a herniated disc, they can cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
When muscle imbalances, repetitive strain, or injuries weaken the structures surrounding the spine, the risk of disc herniations increases. If left untreated, a herniated disc can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, and nerve-related complications. Early intervention and proper care are essential for long-term recovery.
Common Causes of Disc Herniations
Understanding Why It Happens
Herniated discs can happen gradually or suddenly, depending on the underlying cause. Some of the most common factors include:
• Poor Posture & Prolonged Sitting – Excess pressure on the spine from slouching or sitting for extended periods weakens discs over time.
• Repetitive Movements & Lifting Injuries – Jobs or activities that involve bending, twisting, or heavy lifting can cause a disc to bulge or rupture.
• Trauma or Accidents – Car accidents, falls, or sports injuries can lead to acute disc injuries.
• Age-Related Degeneration – Over time, spinal discs lose water content, making them more prone to tears and herniation.
• Muscle Weakness & Imbalances – Weak core or back muscles force the spine to absorb excess strain, increasing the risk of disc issues.
Common Conditions Related to Disc Herniations
A herniated disc can contribute to several other musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, including:
Sciatica – Compression of the sciatic nerve, causing pain and numbness down the leg.
Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve) – A compressed spinal nerve causing sharp, radiating pain, weakness, or numbness.
Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal, often exacerbated by disc herniations.
Facet Joint Dysfunction – Inflammation and irritation of the small joints in the spine due to improper movement.
Chronic Low Back or Neck Pain – Ongoing discomfort due to disc degeneration and instability.
Treatments for Herniated Discs
Find Relief Once & For All
Before we are able to treat your disc herniation at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your neck or back pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using chiropractic, orthopedic, and functional movement testing. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.
Sports Chiropractic: More Than Just Adjustments
At Hughes Health, we believe true recovery goes beyond spinal adjustments and manipulation. While we are chiropractors, we don’t just focus on your joints. We take a whole-body approach through Sports Rehabilitation to target the muscles and tissues that support you. Your body is more than just bones and joints, and your care should reflect that. By addressing movement, strength, and stability, we help you heal faster, stay active, and prevent future injuries so you can get back to doing what you love without limitations.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic herniated disc pain, PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy uses focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair—without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation—no discomfort, just relief
Spinal Decompression: Relieve Pressure, Restore Function
If you’re struggling with a herniated or bulging disc, Spinal Decompression Therapy provides a gentle, sustained stretch to:
Reduce pressure on your spine and nerves
Guide discs back into proper position
Work alongside chiropractic care and corrective exercises to help you heal and prevent future injuries
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in advanced chiropractic care and personalized treatment plans, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time—just the right care for the best results.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.