Herniated Disc Treatment - Chiropractor in Memphis, TN
A herniated disc can turn the simplest movements into agony — bending, sitting, coughing, even sleeping. If you've been told you need surgery, Dr. Matt Hayden wants you to know there's an effective non-surgical path. Chiropractic adjustments and spinal decompression treat herniated discs at the source — relieving nerve pressure and giving the disc what it needs to heal.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Your spinal discs sit between each vertebra, acting as shock absorbers. Each disc has a tough outer wall (annulus) and a soft gel-like center (nucleus). A herniated disc occurs when the outer wall tears and the inner material pushes outward — pressing on nearby spinal nerves.
Related terms you may hear: bulging disc (the wall weakens and protrudes but doesn't rupture), extruded disc (nucleus material breaks through the wall entirely), and sequestered disc (a fragment separates from the main disc). All of these can compress nerves and cause significant pain.
Signs and Symptoms
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Sharp or burning pain in the back, neck, arm, or leg — depending on the herniation's location
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Radiating pain that follows a nerve pathway (sciatica is a common example)
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Numbness or tingling in the affected extremity
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Muscle weakness in the arm or leg served by the compressed nerve
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Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing
Non-Surgical Treatment at
Chiropractic Memphis Downtown
Dr. Hayden combines two primary approaches for herniated discs:
restore proper spinal alignment around the affected disc, reducing uneven pressure and allowing the disc to begin healing. Gentle, specific corrections take pressure off the nerve without forcing the spine.
creates negative intradiscal pressure through controlled traction — gently pulling herniated material back toward the center of the disc and relieving nerve compression. This is one of the most effective non-surgical treatments available for disc herniations.
SoftWave as an Adjunct Therapy
For chronic or severe herniations with significant inflammation and tissue damage, Dr. Hayden may add SoftWave Therapy to the plan. SoftWave reduces inflammation at the cellular level, activates stem cells, and accelerates healing in the tissue surrounding the damaged disc.
Why Choose Us
Dr. Hayden has been treating herniated discs at Chiropractic Memphis Downtown since 2006 — with a multi-modal approach that combines adjustments, spinal decompression, and advanced regenerative therapies.
We don't just manage your pain. We correct the structural and mechanical problem driving it. Patients come to us after other treatments have failed, and after they've been told surgery is their only option. For many of them, it wasn't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?
Chiropractic care can't "push" a disc back in, but it corrects the spinal misalignment contributing to the herniation and creates conditions for the disc to heal. Combined with decompression, most patients experience significant relief without surgery.
Is spinal decompression effective for herniated discs?
Yes. Decompression creates negative pressure inside the disc that helps retract herniated material and relieve nerve compression — making it one of the most effective non-surgical options available.
Do herniated discs heal on their own?
Some mild herniations improve with time and rest, but without correcting the alignment and pressure that caused the herniation, recurrence is common. Targeted treatment produces faster, more reliable results.
How long does treatment take?
It depends on severity. Many patients feel improvement within the first few decompression sessions. A full corrective plan typically spans several weeks to a few months.