Understanding Disc Fragments with Manahawkin Chiropractic Center: 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 just 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. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center is here for you.
WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN YOUR SPINE?
Think of your spinal discs as jelly donuts cushioning the bones in your back. A disc fragment happens when that inner "jelly" breaks through the outer layer and actually moves away from where it started. When this happens, it can press on nearby nerves, triggering that shooting pain down your leg, numbness, or weakness you've been experiencing. We want you to know what’s happening!
YOU HAVE OPTIONS—AND SURGERY ISN'T YOUR ONLY ONE
Here's the good news: you don't have to jump straight to surgery. While surgical options like transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy exist for severe cases and have relieved many patients (1), there's a gentler way 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 stemming from disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic different? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach utilizes a specialized table that allows the chiropractor like yours at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center to create a rhythmic pumping motion while keeping contact with the spine at the appropriate specific level of pain. This motion works to:
- Lower 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 stay away from 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), allowing us better insights into treatment approaches.
You deserve to explore 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 undergoing surgery. 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 by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
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.
