Did you know that disc herniations are common. In fact, if we were to take 10 random people from off the street, six of them would have a bulging or herniated disc. And only two of those with a herniated disc would have back pain at that particular point in time.

So why is a herniated disc so bad?

It’s NOT….necessarily. However, there is a sub-set of herniated disc patients…say 10-15% of them, that develop pain and disability…some severe. It’s still a very large number of people. And remember…over 80% of us will have a serious bout of back pain at some point in our lives…and the #1 risk factor for developing chronic back pain (pain that lasts over 3 months) is previous back pain.

The body can often heal bulging and herniated discs on it’s own. It just depends on the nature and severity of the problem.

Note: In order to even know you have a herniated disc for sure it needs to be confirmed by MRI. And in order for a doctor to order an expensive MRI in the first place, they have to suspect you have a disc herniation which means you are symptomatic.

According to research…many of us live and die with disc herniations we never knew we had.

So what’s the point?

Well…I guess the point I am trying to make is that a herniated disc is not the end of the world, and even if you are diagnosed with one you don’t automatically need surgery. In fact…quite the contrary…chances are you do not need surgery. A good doctor that utilizes chiropractic, core exercises, and nonsurgical spinal decompression, can most likely get you back on track.

Maintaining a healthy back is like a balance scale. If you are doing things, like sitting for 12 hours a day, or working construction, or fire fighting, or just working and playing hard, you have tools at your disposal that can help you balance the scales. Tools like chiropractic and spinal decompression. Tools that “those in the know” use to stay in the game. And so can you.

If you think you may have a herniated disc in the  low back you should be checked.