Herniated Disc Treatment in
Solana Beach
A herniated disc does not have to mean surgery, painkillers, or pulling out of the things you love. Most cases respond beautifully to specific, conservative care.
What Is a Herniated Disc
Between each vertebra in your spine sits a disc. Each disc has a tough outer layer and a soft, gel-like center. When the outer layer weakens (from repeated stress, an injury, or just years of compression) the inner gel can push through and press on a nearby nerve.
That is a herniated disc. It is also called a slipped disc, bulging disc, or ruptured disc depending on severity. The result is usually some combination of sharp pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the area the affected nerve supplies (the leg for lumbar discs, the arm for cervical discs).
The good news: research consistently shows that conservative care, including chiropractic, gets the majority of herniated disc patients back to normal function without surgery.
Common Symptoms
Sharp, shooting pain in the low back or neck
Pain that radiates into one arm or one leg (depending on the disc level)
Numbness or tingling in the affected limb
Weakness in a specific muscle group
Pain that gets worse with coughing, sneezing, or bearing down
Pain that improves when you change position
Difficulty with daily tasks (sitting, standing, lifting, bending)
Loss of athletic performance
How We Treat a Herniated Disc
First we figure out exactly which disc is involved and which nerve is being affected. We do this with a careful exam: orthopedic testing, neurological screening, range-of-motion assessment, and review of any imaging you have had.
From there, our care plan typically includes:
Specific, low-force adjustments to take pressure off the disc
Targeted decompression work to create space at the affected level
Soft-tissue release for the muscles that have tightened in compensation
Movement and rehabilitation homework to retrain the area
Coordination with your primary care provider, orthopedist, or surgeon as needed
Most patients feel meaningful improvement in two to four weeks of consistent care. Full resolution can take longer depending on severity.
Why Choose Us
Dr. Lisel built her practice for active adults who refuse to take "just rest and take it easy" as the only option. She works with disc patients who want to recover and get back to running, lifting, surfing, or whatever they were doing before, not just get out of pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Not necessarily. We can often diagnose and start treating based on exam findings. If imaging is needed, we will order it or coordinate with your primary care provider.
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Most herniated discs do not require surgery. We will be honest with you about what we are seeing and refer you out if surgery is the right answer.
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Often yes, with modifications. We will help you figure out what is safe and what to avoid during recovery.
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Most patients feel meaningful improvement in two to four weeks. Full resolution can take two to four months depending on severity.
You do not have to live with this.
Book your $67 new patient visit and let us build you a real recovery plan.