If you are dealing with a herniated disc, you already know how much it can take over your life. The pain, the limitations, the frustration of not being able to do the things you used to do without a second thought.
Dr. Frank Stiso at Stiso Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy in Manasquan, NJ has been treating disc herniations for nearly two decades. But more than that, he has been living with them since he was 21 years old.
That is not something you find in most chiropractic offices, and it shapes everything about the way he approaches this condition.
The spine is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other with soft cushioning discs sitting between them. Think of each disc like a jelly donut. The outer layer is tough and fibrous, designed to absorb shock and hold the disc in place. The inner layer is soft and gel-like, providing the cushioning that allows the spine to move freely and distribute weight evenly.
A disc herniation occurs when that tough outer layer weakens, cracks, or tears and the soft inner material pushes outward. When that displaced material presses against a nearby nerve root or the spinal cord itself, the result is the pain, numbness, and radiating symptoms that most disc herniation patients know all too well.
Disc herniations most commonly occur in the lumbar spine, the lower back, where the greatest mechanical stress is placed on the spine during daily activity. They can also occur in the cervical spine in the neck, producing symptoms that radiate into the shoulder, arm, and hand. Thoracic disc herniations in the mid back are less common but do occur.
Herniations can develop suddenly from a specific injury like a fall, a car accident, or improper lifting. They can also develop gradually over time from repetitive stress, poor posture, prolonged sitting, or the natural aging process that causes discs to lose hydration and become less resilient.
Symptoms vary depending on the location and severity of the herniation and which nerve is being affected.
Common symptoms include:
-
Sharp, aching, or burning pain in the lower back or neck
-
Pain that radiates down the leg, known as sciatica, or down the arm
-
Numbness or tingling in the legs, feet, arms, or hands
-
Muscle weakness in the affected limb
-
Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, coughing, or prolonged standing
-
A feeling of electrical shock running through the limbs with certain movements
-
Difficulty finding a comfortable position
It is worth noting that not all disc herniations cause severe symptoms. Some patients have significant herniations visible on MRI with minimal discomfort. Others experience debilitating pain from relatively modest herniations. The degree of nerve involvement and individual pain sensitivity both play a role in how symptoms present.
This is the question most disc herniation patients are quietly asking when they walk through the door. The honest answer is that surgery is rarely the first or best option for most disc herniations. Research consistently shows that the majority of patients with lumbar disc herniations improve significantly with conservative treatment over time, without surgical intervention.
Surgery is generally considered when conservative treatment has failed after a reasonable trial period, when there is progressive neurological deficit such as worsening weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control, or when pain is severe enough to significantly compromise quality of life despite non-surgical care.
For most patients, the appropriate path is to pursue conservative treatment first and reserve surgery for cases that genuinely require it. Chiropractic care is one of the most evidence-based conservative options available, and many patients who have been told surgery is their only option find significant relief through chiropractic treatment they had not yet tried.
If your case does require surgical consultation, Dr. Stiso will tell you that directly and make the appropriate referral. He will never recommend care that is not in your best interest.
Chiropractic care addresses disc herniations by restoring proper alignment and movement to the affected spinal segments, reducing the mechanical pressure on the herniated disc and the nerve it is compressing, and allowing the surrounding muscles and connective tissue to relax and recover.
Research consistently ranks spinal manipulation among the most effective conservative treatments available for lumbar disc herniation. It produces meaningful pain reduction, improved function, and faster recovery compared to many other non-surgical approaches.
Dr. Stiso begins with a thorough evaluation to assess the nature, location, and severity of the herniation before recommending treatment. This step is not optional. Every disc herniation is different and the treatment approach should reflect that.
Depending on the findings, treatment may include:
Diversified spinal manipulation, the most widely used and well researched chiropractic technique, which restores proper joint movement and reduces nerve pressure through precise manual adjustments.
Activator Method, a gentle low force instrument-assisted adjustment that is particularly appropriate for patients with significant inflammation, acute pain, or those who are uncomfortable with manual adjustments.
Drop table technique, which uses a specially designed table to allow effective spinal correction with reduced force, offering another comfortable alternative to traditional manipulation.
Flexion distraction, a gentle stretching and decompression technique that is particularly effective for lumbar disc herniations, reducing intradiscal pressure and creating space for the herniated material to retract over time.
In many cases patients begin to notice meaningful improvement within the first several weeks of care. For more significant or longstanding herniations, a longer course of treatment may be needed to achieve lasting results.
Recovery from a disc herniation is rarely a straight line. Most patients experience improvement in waves, with good days and bad days, particularly in the early stages of treatment. This is normal and does not mean the treatment is not working.
The timeline varies significantly depending on the severity of the herniation, how long it has been present, the degree of nerve involvement, and the patient's overall health and activity level. Patients who follow their treatment plan consistently and make any recommended lifestyle modifications tend to recover more fully and more quickly than those who come in sporadically or ignore contributing factors like prolonged sitting or poor posture.
Dr. Stiso will set realistic expectations at the outset and monitor your progress throughout the course of care, adjusting the treatment plan as needed based on how you respond.
In 1995, at 21 years old, Dr. Stiso was in a serious accident that left him with multiple lumbar disc herniations. He has lived with that diagnosis ever since. More than three decades of managing flare-ups, learning what works and what does not, understanding the frustration of a bad day when the pain radiates down the leg and sitting through a meal feels impossible.
Most physicians treat conditions they have read about. Dr. Stiso treats one he has lived with. That changes the way he listens to patients, the way he explains what is happening, and the way he approaches treatment decisions. He is not going to tell you to just rest and take ibuprofen because he knows that is not enough.
Disc Herniation FAQs
Ready to Get Started?
If a disc herniation is affecting your daily life in Manasquan, Wall Township, or the surrounding Monmouth County area, Dr. Stiso and the team at Stiso Chiropractic, Acupuncture & Massage Therapy are ready to help.
Most major insurance accepted. Call us at (732) 528-7746 or click the button below to get started.
