Understanding Disc Fragments with Layden Chiropractic: From Surgical Solutions to Conservative Chiropractic Care
So you've been told you have a disc fragment, and now you're probably googling wildly 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 available to help you heal—many of them gentle and non-invasive as appropriate. Layden Chiropractic is here for you.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN YOUR SPINE?
Think of your spinal discs as jelly donuts padding 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. This is what's behind that shooting pain radiating down your leg, the numbness, or weakness that's been disrupting your daily life—but knowing the source of your pain means we can target treatment effectively and help you get real relief. 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 go right to surgery. While surgical options like transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy exist for severe cases and have helped many patients (1), there's a gentler path you might want to explore first.
COX® TECHNIC: A PROVEN NON-SURGICAL APPROACH
Flexion-distraction manipulation (aka Cox® Technic) offers real hope for people dealing with disc fragments. Medical literature substantiates this specialized chiropractic technique as an effective treatment for the radiating leg pain and back discomfort coming from disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic stand out? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach uses a specialized table that lets the chiropractor like yours at Layden Chiropractic to create a rhythmic pumping motion while keeping contact with the spine at the appropriate specific level of pain. This motion works to:
- Reduce pressure inside your disc
- Help reposition the herniated material
- Decompress the pinched nerves
- Increase the space between your vertebrae
It's non-invasive, drug-free, and has helped countless patients avoid surgery while getting back to the activities they love.
Understanding your condition is the first step toward healing. Researchers continue studying how disc herniations affect surrounding muscles and tissues (3), giving us better insights into treatment approaches.
You deserve to investigate all your options before making major decisions about surgery. Many patients find that beginning with conservative chiropractic care—especially Cox® Technic—gives them the relief they need without going under the knife. Why not see what conservative care can do for you first?
Your pain doesn't have to last forever. There's a path forward, and it starts with a conversation with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Layden Chiropractic.
CONTACT Layden Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Joel Dixon from Australia on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the relief possible for a patient with disc extrusion with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
