Understanding Disc Fragments with Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn: 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 choice. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 occurs when that inner "jelly" breaks through the outer layer and actually 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 find real relief. We want you to know what’s going on!
YOU HAVE OPTIONS—AND SURGERY ISN'T YOUR ONLY ONE
What many patients don't realize is: 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 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 who have 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 uses a specialized table that allows the chiropractor like yours at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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
- 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 they love.
The clearer you are about what's happening in your spine, the better equipped you are to heal. 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 starting 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 be permanent. There's a path forward, and it begins by talking with a qualified chiropractor trained in Cox® Technic, like yours at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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.
Schedule your Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment today.
