A herniated or bulging disc happens when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes against or through its outer wall, often pressing on a nearby nerve. It is one of the most common causes of serious back and leg pain — and one of the most treatable without surgery. Coweta Chiropractic in Newnan, GA treats disc injuries with non-surgical spinal decompression.
Dr. Valerie Román and Dr. Javier Amador see disc patients from across Coweta County. Hablamos Español.
Bulging vs. Herniated — What Is the Difference?
A bulging disc extends outward beyond its normal boundary while its outer wall stays intact. A herniated disc means that outer wall has torn and inner material has escaped through it. Herniations are more likely to irritate a nerve, but a large bulge in the wrong place can cause just as much pain.
Symptoms
- Sharp or burning back pain, often worse with sitting or bending forward
- Pain radiating into the buttock, leg, or foot — or into the shoulder and arm if the disc is in your neck
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve’s path
- Pain that spikes with coughing, sneezing, or straining
- Muscle spasm and difficulty standing up straight
Why Discs Injure
Discs have very little blood supply of their own, which is why they heal slowly and why pressure relief matters so much. Common causes include lifting with a rounded back, repetitive strain, prolonged sitting, the compressive forces of a car accident, and age-related degeneration that leaves the disc less resilient.
Non-Surgical Treatment
The centerpiece is Cox Flexion-Distraction decompression. It drops intradiscal pressure to as low as -192 mmHg and widens the spinal canal area by as much as 28%. That negative pressure helps draw herniated material back toward center, relieves the nerve, and encourages fluid and nutrients into a disc that cannot feed itself well.
Alongside decompression we use adjustments to correct the mechanics that overloaded the disc, and therapeutic modalities to settle inflammation and spasm.
Getting the Diagnosis Right
Not all back pain is disc pain, and treating the wrong thing wastes your time. We examine thoroughly and take on-site digital X-rays when indicated. If your presentation suggests you need an MRI or a surgical opinion, we will say so rather than treat around it.
Herniated Disc Treatment in Newnan, GA
We are located at 1201 Lower Fayetteville Road, Suite E, Newnan, GA 30265, open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and closed Fridays — call us if you need something outside those hours. We treat patients throughout Newnan, Sharpsburg, Peachtree City, Senoia, Grantville, and Palmetto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?
Many do. Conservative care resolves symptoms for a large share of patients. We cannot promise that in any individual case, and some presentations do need a surgical opinion.
Is decompression safe with a herniated disc?
Flexion-distraction is gentle and specifically designed for disc problems. We screen for the conditions where it is not appropriate before starting.
How long until I feel better?
Disc injuries respond over a series of visits rather than overnight. Many patients feel meaningful relief within the first few weeks of care.
Take the pressure off the disc
Book your new patient appointment at Coweta Chiropractic in Newnan, GA and find out whether non-surgical decompression is right for your case.
