Getting a hernia can be an extremely painful and uncomfortable experience and may even require surgery. Hernias can become life-threatening if they are severe enough. There are various forms of treatment for hernias but one of the most effective treatments is chiropractic manipulation and massage. This is the process of working the hernia into place in the body cavity naturally. Generally, hernias are treatable without having to perform surgery. 

Herniated disks are harder to self-diagnose. Sometimes referred to as slipped disks, or ruptured disks, herniated disks can be problematic for nerve functioning for nerves surrounding the area of the damaged disk. Often people don’t notice herniated disks until they have symptoms that become problematic in their day-to-day lives. Numbness and tingling in the limbs are not only annoying but can affect one’s ability to perform their job properly. Or in some cases, a herniated disk can be so debilitating that it reduces one’s overall quality of life. 

What is a Herniated Disk?

A herniated disk refers to an issue with the disks (rubbery cushions) that sit between the vertebrae in your back and neck. Herniated disks can occur at any point in one’s spine and can affect the surrounding nerves, causing one to experience numbness, tingling, or pain in their arms or legs. 

The disks in our spine have a soft center or nucleus, inside of the annulus (tougher rubbery exterior). A herniated disk happens when part of the softer jellylike center protrudes through a tear in the exterior. Many herniated disks occur in the lower back. However, they also can occur in the neck. Symptoms vary based on where the disk is situated and whether or not the ruptured disk is pressing on a nerve.

If you experience a herniated disk in your lower back, most times you will have pain in your buttocks, thighs and calf. It is likely that you might have pain in your feet, as well. When you rupture a disk in your neck, you typically feel the most pain in your shoulders and arms. Some people experience shooting pains when they cough, sneeze or move certain ways. 

Where to Get Herniated Disk Treatment in Tampa Florida?

Contact Swann Medical to get the treatment you need for your herniated disk before the problem worsens and your numbness and pain start to increase. Chiropractic treatment is one of the most effective ways of reducing symptoms from herniated disks.

People who have a herniated disk can experience radiating numbness or tingling in the areas of the body part affected by the nerves in the spine being pinched. Muscles served by the affected nerves tend to get weaker if the herniated disk is left untreated. You can have a slipped disk without any symptoms. You might not know you have it unless it shows up on an X-ray or some other form of spinal imaging.

Seek medical attention if your neck or back pain travels down your arm or leg, or if you have numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs.

How Dangerous are Hernias?

June is Hernia Awareness Month, an effort put forth by the Surgical Review Corporation in an effort to allow patients to find surgeons, doctors, chiropractors, and more. 

There are various types of hernias that you can get including inguinal, femoral, umbilical, incisional hernias, hiatal hernia, or strangulated hernia. The most dangerous being a strangulated hernia, where part of the protrusion begins to lose blood flow. 

What are Strangulated Hernias?

Strangulated hernias can be life-threatening if left untreated. Some symptoms of a strangulated hernia, include:

• Nausea, vomiting, or both
• Fever
• Sudden pain that gets worse quickly
• A hernia bulge that turns red, purple, or dark
• Not being able to poop or pass gas

In most cases, surgery is not required to fix a hernia, however, in the case of most strangulated hernias, surgery is required to ensure that organ functioning is properly restored. Do not hesitate to reach out to your doctor if you start to experience any of the symptoms listed above.

How Do I Know If I Have a Hernia?

There is generally pain or discomfort associated with even the most minor of hernias. Oftentimes you can treat a hernia by manipulating and massaging it back in. 

According to WebMD, “Symptoms depend on the type of hernia. In some cases, you may not have any symptoms. For inguinal, femoral, umbilical, and incisional hernias, symptoms may include:

• An obvious swelling beneath the skin of the abdomen or the groin. It may be tender, and it may disappear when you lie down.
• A heavy feeling in the abdomen sometimes comes with constipation or blood in the stool.
• Discomfort in the abdomen or groin when lifting or bending over.
• A burning or aching sensation at the bulge
• Weakness or pressure in your groin
• Heartburn
• A hard time swallowing
• Shooting pain
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Pain and swelling around the testicles…”

Most times Hernias are either treatable by pushing the protrusion back into the body cavity yourself or through chiropractic massage. In some cases, the blood flow to the protruding organ can be restricted and may become life-threatening. If you suspect you have a Hernia 

When Should I Get Checked for a Hiatal Hernia?

During a hiatal hernia, the stomach pushes up through the hiatus. Small Hiatal hernias usually don’t cause too many issues, and you may not even know you have one unless your doctor finds it during a routine check-up. Chiropractic massage can help to push the stomach back into its proper position within the diaphragm. 

A small hiatal hernia usually doesn’t cause problems. You may never know you have one unless your doctor discovers it when checking for another condition. However, if you have a large hiatal hernia, it can allow food and acid to back up into your esophagus, causing heartburn. Self-care methods or certain medications can usually relieve some of these symptoms. Very large Hiatal hernias might require surgery. 

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help My Hernia?

Chiropractic treatment is especially effective for hiatal hernias. Hiatal hernias occur when the upper part of your stomach bulges through your diaphragm (the large muscle separating your abdomen and chest). There is a small opening in the diaphragm called the hiatus, essentially where your esophagus connects to your stomach.