Understanding Disc Fragments with Satterwhite Chiropractic: From Surgical Solutions to Conservative Chiropractic Care
So you've been told you have a disc fragment, and now you're probably googling frantically at 2 AM wondering what this means for your future. Let's start with the most important thing: this is treatable, you will get better, and there's a whole toolkit of options out there to help you heal—many of them gentle and non-invasive as appropriate. Satterwhite Chiropractic is here for you.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN YOUR SPINE?
Think of your spinal discs as jelly donuts cushioning the bones in your spine. A disc fragment occurs when that inner "jelly" breaks through the outer layer and actually moves away from where it started. When this happens, it can press on nearby nerves, causing that shooting pain down your leg, numbness, or weakness you've been experiencing. We want you to know what’s happening!
YOU HAVE OPTIONS—AND SURGERY ISN'T YOUR ONLY ANSWER
Here's the good news: you don't have to jump straight to surgery. While surgical options like transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy exist for severe cases and have helped many patients (1), there's a gentler way you might want to check out first.
COX® TECHNIC: A PROVEN NON-SURGICAL APPROACH
Flexion-distraction manipulation (aka Cox® Technic) offers real hope for people who have disc fragments. Research shows this specialized chiropractic technique can effectively manage the radiating leg pain and back discomfort produced by disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic stand out? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach utilizes a specialized table that allows the chiropractor like yours at Satterwhite Chiropractic to create a rhythmic pumping motion while maintaining contact with the spine at the appropriate specific level of pain. This motion works to:
- Lower pressure inside your disc
- Help reposition the herniated material
- Decompress those pinched nerves
- Widen the space between your vertebrae
It's non-invasive, drug-free, and has helped countless patients stay away from surgery while getting back to the activities they love.
Understanding your condition is the first step toward healing. Researchers keep studying how disc herniations affect surrounding muscles and tissues (3), giving us better insights into treatment approaches.
You deserve to explore all your options before making major decisions about surgery. Many patients find that starting with conservative chiropractic care—especially Cox® Technic—gives them the relief they need without going under the knife. Maybe see see what conservative care can do for you first?
Your pain doesn't have to be permanent. There's a path forward, and it begins by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Satterwhite Chiropractic.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Joel Dixon from Australia on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief possible for a patient with disc extrusion with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
