Understanding Disc Fragments with Apple Country Chiropractic: From Surgical Solutions to Conservative Chiropractic Care
A disc fragment diagnosis might sound scary, but think of this moment as the beginning of your healing journey, not the end of your story. Yes, you're dealing with real pain—shooting leg discomfort, back aches, maybe numbness or weakness—but you're also standing at a crossroads where informed choices can lead you back to comfort and mobility. The good news? You don't have to face this alone, and surgery isn't your only option. Apple Country 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 essentially 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
You might be relieved to learn: you don't have to go right to surgery. While surgical options like transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy exist for severe cases and have relieved many patients (1), there's a gentler path you might want to check out first.
COX® TECHNIC: A PROVEN NON-SURGICAL APPROACH
Flexion-distraction manipulation (aka Cox® Technic) offers real hope for people dealing with disc fragments. Published research confirms this specialized chiropractic technique successfully addresses the radiating leg pain and back discomfort caused by disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic stand out? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach utilizes a specialized table that lets the chiropractor like yours at Apple Country 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 those 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 that make their lives happy.
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 be permanent. There's a path forward, and it begins by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Apple Country Chiropractic.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Joel Dixon from Australia on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the relief possible for a patient with disc extrusion with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
