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The Better Health and Wellness Center focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system), and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.

 

Dr. LeiLani Vidal has been in practice for 30 years, and she truly enjoys what she does.  Helping others is her number one goal.  Dr. Vidal is going to get to the root of what is causing your pain or health troubles, instead of just treating the symptoms.  She specializes in correction and wellness care, as well as injuries caused by accidents, sports, physical trauma, etc.

Herniated Disc

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Herniated discs are often painful and debilitating, but you don’t have to suffer. Fortunately, nonsurgical chiropractic care helps aid in recovery and ease the pain when you have a herniated disc. 

What is a herniated disc?

You have a herniated disc when the soft discs filled with jelly-like substances located between vertebrae in your spine rupture. The jelly-like center of discs can leak, irritate nerves nearby, and cause back pain. Many men and women suffering from herniated discs don’t require surgery.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?

If you have a herniated disc, you may experience the following symptoms:

  • Back or neck pain

  • Arm or shoulder pain

  • Shooting pain

  • Weakness, tingling, or numbness in one or both legs

What causes a herniated disc?

Herniated discs often happen as a result of the normal wear and tear associated with aging. Turning or twisting the wrong way can cause a ruptured disc, so can using your back to lift heavy objects instead of lifting with your arms and legs.

Risk factors for a herniated a disc include family history (genetics), being overweight or obese -- this puts extra pressure on the spine -- and having a physically demanding job. You’re also at risk if you continuously lift, push, or pull heavy objects.

Which treatments are best for a herniated disc?

Various treatment options help manage herniated disc pain and promote a faster recovery. Treatments available through Dr. Vidal's office include:

  • Heat therapy

  • Ultrasound therapy

  • Red Light therapy

  • Chiropractic traction therapy

  • Electric muscle stimulation

  • Exercise therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to aid in healing, and cold laser therapy utilizes low-level light energy to ease pain and enhance healing. Electric muscle stimulation sends electronic pulses to nerves, to create muscle contractions.

Herniated disc injuries and pain often improve gradually with proper treatment.  A small number of men and women who suffer from herniated discs require surgery.  Dr. Vidal talks with you about which treatment option is the best match for you based on your medical history.

A few simple tips can help prevent herniated disc recurrence:

  • Practice good posture

  • Lift heavy objects with your legs

  • Maintain a healthy weight

  • Exercise regularly (cardio and resistance)

When you’re ready to relieve the pain associated with a herniated disc and recovery quickly, call Dr. Vidal's office at 858-679-5544. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves. The 24 bones of the spine, or vertebrae, surround and protect the spinal cord and nerves. When misaligned, or subluxated, the vertebrae can interfere with the nervous system, causing pain and dysfunction.

As chiropractors, our objective is to analyze the spine, locate and correct these vertebral subluxations. The chiropractic method of correction is by specific adjustments of the spine, which are intended to correct vertebral subluxations overtime, thereby allowing the innate (inborn) healing abilities of the body to work at maximum efficiency.

What conditions can Chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors do not treat conditions, nor do they cure disease! Chiropractors adjust vertebral subluxations to remove interference from the nervous system. With a properly functioning nervous system, your body is able to heal itself. Chiropractors do not chase symptoms; they look for the cause of the problem so the symptoms do not return. From sports injuries to prenatal care, our goal is always the same - to adjust spinal subluxations allowing the body to heal itself and function more efficiently.

How much education do Doctor's of Chiropractic need?

After completing their undergraduate education, chiropractors receive an additional four years of post-graduate education and a one-year internship to become a Doctor of Chiropractic. Their education curriculum is similar to medical school and there is special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics, nutrition, X-ray, and spinal adjusting techniques.

 

To become a licensed chiropractor, he or she must pass a demanding four-part National Board Examination and then a State Board examination for the state in which they wish to practice. A chiropractor’s education never stops, as yearly continuing education is required for license renewal.

What is an Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a carefully directed and controlled pressure applied to a spinal joint that is subluxated, or not moving properly. The chiropractic adjustment removes subluxations and restores motion to the joints, helping the bones of the spine gradually return to a more normal position and motion. With improved position and motion, there is decreased interference with the nervous system, increased communication within the body, and improved overall balance.

After many years of training, a chiropractor is an expert at using the correct amount of force in the correct direction. Some adjustments may require a quick movement, and others involve slow and constant pressure. After a thorough examination, we determine which technique will work best for you.

Do you have to be a certain age to see a Chiropractor?

Chiropractic is safe and effective for people of all ages, from newborns to senior citizens. Each person is unique, so we will design a care program specific for your age, condition, and lifestyle.  We let you decide whether you prefer "relief care" or "correction care."

Can I adjust myself?

It is virtually impossible to adjust yourself because a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force applied in a specific direction to one area in the spine.  Even a chiropractor cannot adjust him or herself.  It is possible to bend or twist and hear and feel a “popping” along the spine. This is a general movement, however, that may help release pressure but is usually counter-productive and can create areas of instability. The best way to adjust the spine is to see a doctor of chiropractic.

There is a reason they went through all of that schooling!

Is Chiropractic care expensive?

No, chiropractic care can be relatively inexpensive. Your insurance may cover chiropractic care.

 

Or, if you are without health insurance coverage, there is no charge for the consultation and X-rays start at $65.

How long will it take for me to get better?

It is difficult to predict how your body will react to adjustments. Correcting a spinal problem depends on several factors including how long the problem has been around and your current lifestyle. Your body will heal as quickly as it wants to, and sometimes that takes time. Some patients may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function, while others find that periodic checkups help keep them in balance and maintain better health.

As Dr. Vidal says:

“My goal is to find the root cause of your pain and help you live the pain-free life you deserve”

– Dr. LeiLani Vidal, D.C

While chiropractic care is well known for addressing back and neck pain and injuries, there are many other conditions that can benefit from chiropractic treatment.

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Arthritis

  • Asthma

  • Back Pain

  • Car Accidents

  • Carpal Tunnel

  • Disc Herniations

  • Ear Infections

  • Exercise/Fitness

  • Foot Problems

  • Headaches

  • Heartburn

  • Knee Pain

  • Leg Pain

  • Migraines

  • Neck Pain

  • Nutrition

  • Post Surgery

  • Sciatica

  • Scoliosis

  • Shoulder Injuries

  • Sports Injuries

  • Sprains/Strains

  • Stress

  • Torticollis

  • TMJ

  • Wellness

  • Whiplash

  • And much more

At our Poway location, Dr. Vidal and her staff bring their experience to your unique health concern.

Call us at 858-679-6655 to make your first appointment. We are conveniently located in Poway, just north of San Diego. 

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