How physical therapists can help treat a slipped disc

How to Treat a Slipped Disc

You could be experiencing back pain on a daily basis, and you aren’t alone if that’s true. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) warns that 80% of Americans are likely to experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. A slipped disc is one issue that could be causing your back pain, but a physical therapist can help you treat this back problem. There are two physical therapy techniques in particular that can help treat a slipped disc. 

1.   Redcord® training

When you hear the word “suspension,” you may think of a type of bridge. People who remember their chemistry classes may recall this is a mixture of solid particles and liquid. However, you probably won’t think about the Redcord® suspension system, but this system can help to treat your slipped disc.

The Redcord® system looks like a number of padded, red swing set seats, but it can help treat slipped discs and other back problems. When using this system, the patient can be fully or partially suspended in the air, and they will be asked to move their body in various ways. These suspended movements allow physical therapists to target weak muscles that could have allowed a disc to slip. The system can also be used as an assessment tool. For example, physical therapists can use it to see if you have back muscle imbalances that led to your slipped disc.  

2.   Graston Technique®

Another physical therapy method that can help treat slipped discs is the Graston Technique®. This option is also commonly called instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization. The reason is because the method calls for the use of ergonomic metal tools to be used. These tools are then moved over the affected area of the body, and the goal of these movements is to break up scar tissue. 

Scar tissue, or adhesions, can be a literal pain when it builds up in soft tissue like muscles. It causes pain by restricting the muscle’s ability to move normally. Adhesions can also tighten a back muscle and cause the spine to move out of alignment. This can lead to a slipping of one of the discs in the spine. By breaking up the scar tissue, the Graston Technique can also help reduce back muscle tension, realign the spine and help treat slipped discs.

Armor Physical Therapy offers many physical therapy methods for treating slipped discs

At Armor Physical Therapy, we’ve helped many people figure out how to effectively treat their slipped discs. Since every patient is unique, we’ll start by doing a one-on-one screening to determine how this issue is affecting you. Once we have this information, our team will create a personalized plan for you. This plan may make use of the Redcord® suspension system and the Graston Technique, but it can also include other methods like: 

Take the next step to get our help with your slipped disc. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.

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