Understanding Disc Fragments with Johnson Chiropractic: From Surgical Solutions to Conservative Chiropractic Care
A disc fragment diagnosis might sound scary, but think of this moment as the start 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. Johnson 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 going 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 going on!
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 helped 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 who have disc fragments. Research shows this specialized chiropractic technique can effectively manage the radiating leg pain and back discomfort produced by disc extrusions. (2)
What makes Cox® Technic different? Instead of the twisting you might associate with chiropractic treatment, this gentle approach uses a specialized table that lets the chiropractor like yours at Johnson 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 the pinched nerves
- Widen 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.
The more you understand about your condition, the more confident you'll feel about your path to recovery. Researchers keep studying how disc herniations affect surrounding muscles and tissues (3), allowing 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. Maybe see see what conservative care can do for you first?
Your pain doesn't have to last forever. There's a path forward, and it begins by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Johnson Chiropractic.
CONTACT Johnson 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.
