What causes herniated / bulging disc?
Discs bulge or herniate when repeated loading, bending, sitting, lifting under fatigue, pushes the soft center against the outer wall, sometimes irritating a nearby nerve. Age-related stiffness and weak supporting muscles make a disc more vulnerable to a flare.
What to expect from care
Care starts with a careful screen to make sure conservative treatment is right for you. From there we use gentle, position-specific work to take pressure off the disc and nerve, then gradually rebuild your tolerance to sitting, bending, and loading. If imaging or a specialist referral is warranted, we'll tell you.
How we help
We use gentle, position-specific care to take pressure off the disc and nerve, then progressively rebuild tolerance so you can move confidently again.
Treatments we use for herniated / bulging disc
Depending on what's driving it, your plan may include:
Frequently asked questions
Can chiropractic care help a herniated disc?
Often, yes. Many disc-related symptoms respond well to conservative care that reduces nerve irritation and gradually rebuilds load tolerance. We screen carefully and refer out when imaging or specialist care is warranted.
Do I need an MRI for a herniated disc?
Not always. Many disc-related symptoms improve with conservative care without imaging. We order or refer for an MRI when the exam suggests it would change the plan, for example, progressive weakness or symptoms that aren't responding.
Will a herniated disc heal on its own?
Often, yes. Many disc herniations settle over weeks to months as the body reabsorbs the material and inflammation calms. Care speeds comfort, protects the nerve, and rebuilds the strength that keeps it from flaring again.
What should I avoid with a herniated disc?
Early on, we usually limit repeated end-range bending, heavy lifting under fatigue, and long static sitting. We'll give you specific positions and movements that feel good and ones to ease off until the disc settles.
Care provided one-on-one by Dr. Dominick Hernandez, D.C. in Woodland Hills, CA.