Chiropractic Management of Cervical Bulging, "Slipped", Herniated and Ruptured Discs

The chiropractor explained the treatment options to Carlos. She explained treatment would comprise a trial course of non-surgical, conservative care consisting of a protocol of gentle spinal distraction, physiotherapy, exercises, and home care. A "trial" meant that conservative measures would be used for one-month and then Carlos would be re-evaluated. If Carlos' condition was not improved by 50% after a month of treatment, he would be referred to a spine surgeon for evaluation. If during the treatment month Carlos' symptoms increased and examination findings showed his condition worsening, the referral would also occur.

Carlos's chiropractor had developed a reciprocal relationship with a spine surgeon. The spine surgeon referred patients to the chiropractor who he felt might benefit from conservative care. The chiropractor referred patients to the spine surgeon who she felt were either outside the scope of conservative care or who were not responding to conservative treatment.

Carlos decided to pursue a program of chiropractic care. Treatment consisted of a gentle distraction technique and a type of spinal stretching therapy. The goal of spinal stretching therapy is to draw the disc away from the nerve root. This treatment was augmented with electrotherapies, cold and hot packs, muscle techniques, and other non-forceful procedures.

Carlos did reach the 50% improvement goal after a month and continued treatment for another two months. He was eventually given exercises to strengthen his neck muscles and flexibility exercises to maintain the increased spinal joint motion achieved by his chiropractic care. He was stable without neck or arm pain at the end of three months.