Herniated Disc Treatment in St. Paul, Minnesota
Get lasting relief from herniated, bulging, and slipped discs without surgery
Non-Surgical Herniated Disc Treatment
A herniated disc (also called a slipped disc or bulging disc) is one of the most common causes of back pain and sciatica. At Twin Cities Chiropractic, Dr. Scot Sorum specializes in treating herniated discs naturally using advanced non-surgical techniques. With 25 years of experience, Dr. Sorum has helped thousands of patients avoid surgery and find lasting relief from disc-related pain through comprehensive, conservative treatment approaches.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Spinal discs are the cushions between your vertebrae that act as shock absorbers and allow smooth movement of the spine:
Disc Anatomy
Annulus Fibrosus
Tough outer ring of cartilage
Nucleus Pulposus
Soft, gel-like center
Function
Cushioning, shock absorption, and spinal flexibility
Types of Disc Problems
Bulging Disc
Disc extends beyond normal boundaries but outer ring remains intact
Herniated Disc
Outer ring tears and inner material leaks out
Ruptured Disc
Complete tear allowing nucleus material to escape
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related disc deterioration and height loss
Common Causes
Age-related Wear
Natural degeneration over time
Sudden Injury
Lifting, twisting, or trauma
Repetitive Stress
Repeated bending, lifting, or poor posture
Genetic Factors
Family history of disc problems
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle
Recognizing Herniated Disc Symptoms
Location-Specific Symptoms
Lumbar (Lower Back) Herniated Disc
Lower Back Pain
Sharp or aching pain in lumbar region
Sciatica
Pain radiating down buttock and leg
Leg Numbness or Tingling
In specific nerve distribution patterns
Leg Weakness
Difficulty lifting foot or toes
Muscle Spasms
Protective muscle contractions
Cervical (Neck) Herniated Disc
Neck Pain
Localized cervical spine discomfort
Arm Pain
Radiating pain down shoulder and arm
Hand Numbness
Tingling in fingers and hand
Arm Weakness
Difficulty with grip strength
Headaches
From cervical nerve irritation
General Symptoms
Pain that worsens with Sitting
Increased disc pressure
Pain relief when Walking
Reduced disc pressure
Coughing or Sneezing Pain
Sudden pressure increase
Morning Stiffness
Overnight disc swelling
Activity Limitations
Reduced ability to perform daily tasks
Advanced Non-Surgical Disc Treatment
Comprehensive Evaluation
Detailed pain and symptom history with Dr. Sorum
Physical examination including neurological testing
Orthopedic tests to confirm disc involvement
Range of motion and strength assessment
Review of MRI or CT scans when available
Identification of specific disc level and severity
Treatment Options
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Non-Surgical Decompression
FDA-approved treatment for disc problems
Negative Pressure Creation
Allows disc material to retract
Nutrient Flow Improvement
Promotes natural disc healing
Pain Relief
Reduces pressure on compressed nerves
Chiropractic Care
Specific Adjustments
Gentle techniques for disc conditions
Flexion-distraction
Specialized technique for disc herniation
Cox Techniques
Gentle spinal manipulation for disc problems
Advanced Therapies
Physical Therapy
Strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility
Massage Therapy
Joy Vang's therapeutic massage reduces muscle tension and inflammation
Postural Rehabilitaion
Address contributing factors
Advanced Technology for Disc Healing
How Spinal Decompression Works
Spinal decompression creates negative pressure within the disc, which:
Retracts Herniated Material
Pulls disc material away from nerves
Increases Disc Height
Restores proper spacing between vertebrae
Improves Circulation
Brings healing nutrients to damaged discs
Reduces Inflammation
Decreases swelling around affected nerves
Promotes Healing
Stimulates natural repair processes
Treatment Protocol
Initial Phase
3-4 sessions per week for 4-6 weeks
Session Duration
20-30 minutes per treatment
Gradual Progression
Increasing decompression force as tolerated
Monitoring Progress
Regular assessment and plan adjustments
Maintenance Phase
Reduced frequency as symptoms improve
Success Rates
86% Improvement
in patients with disc herniation
Significant Pain Reduction
in majority of cases
Avoided Surgery
in many patients who were surgical candidates
Long-term Relief
with proper maintenance and lifestyle changes
Targeted Treatment for Different Disc Conditions
Acute Disc Herniation
Immediate Decompression
Reduce disc pressure and nerve compression
Pain Management
Natural methods to control acute symptoms
Activity Modification
Positions and movements that promote healing
Anti-inflammatory Protocols
Reduce swelling and inflammation
Chronic Disc Problems
Comprehensive Rehabilitation
Long-term approach to disc health
Strengthening Programs
Build support for damaged discs
Lifestyle Modifications
Address contributing factors
Maintenance Care
Prevent future disc problems
Multiple Level Disc Disease
Comprehensive Spinal Care
Address entire spine health
Segmental Treatment
Target each affected disc level
Global Strengthening
Improve overall spinal stability
Long-term Management
Prevent progression of degeneration
Post-Surgical Disc Problems
Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Treatment for persistent symptoms
Adjacent Segment Disease
Address problems above/below fusion
Scar Tissue Management
Reduce adhesions affecting function
Restoration Programs
Improve function after surgery
Protecting Your Discs Long-Term
Lifestyle Modifications
Proper LiftingTechniques
Squat lifting, avoid twisting
Weight Management
Reduce pressure on spinal discs
Smoking Cessation
Improve disc nutrition and healing
Regular Exercise
Maintain disc health through movement
Ergonomic Improvements
Workplace Setup
Proper chair, desk height, monitor position
Driving Posture
Seat position, lumbar support, frequent breaks
Sleep Environment
Supportive mattress, proper pillow placement
Daily Activities
Safe body mechanics for all tasks
Exercise and Strengthening
Core Strengthening
Support spine with strong abdominal muscles
Back Muscle Exercises
Strengthen erector spinae and multifidus
Flexibility Training
Maintain range of motion and prevent stiffness
Low-impact Activities
Walking, swimming, cycling for disc health
Early Treatment Prevents Permanent Damage
Seek Immediate Treatment If
Severe back or neck pain with leg or arm symptoms
Numbness, tingling, or weakness in extremities
Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities
Symptoms persisting more than a few days
Progressive worsening of symptoms
Bowel or bladder dysfunction (emergency)
Benefits of Conservative Treatment
Avoid Surgery
90% of disc herniations heal without surgery
Natural Healing
Allow body's natural repair processes to work
Preserve Anatomy
Maintain normal spinal structure
Lower Risk
No surgical complications or recovery time
Cost Effective
Less expensive than surgical interventions
25 Years of Non-Surgical Disc Treatment Expertise
Dr. Scot Sorum brings a quarter-century of experience treating herniated discs and spinal conditions to Twin Cities Chiropractic. As a Northwestern College of Chiropractic graduate who founded the practice in 2001, Dr. Sorum has successfully helped thousands of patients avoid surgery through advanced conservative care.
His Comprehensive Approach includes
Advanced Diagnostic Skills
Accurately identifying disc problems and severity
Multiple Treatment Techniques
Tailored to specific disc conditions
State-of-the-art Equipment
Including spinal decompression technology
Surgery Avoidance Focus
Helping patients heal naturally when possible
Leading Non-Surgical Disc Treatment
Experienced Doctor
Dr. Sorum
25 years treating disc conditions and spinal problems
Thousands
of successful disc patients treated
Specialized Expertise
in non-surgical disc rehabilitation
High Success Rates
helping patients avoid surgery
Advanced Technology
Spinal Decompression Equipment
FDA-approved technology for disc treatment
Comprehensive Treatment Options
Multiple approaches for disc problems
Modern Facility
State-of-the-art equipment and comfortable environment
Integrated Care
Combining decompression with chiropractic and massage
Proven Results
86% Success Rate
with disc decompression therapy
Pateint Testimonials
documenting avoided surgeries
Long-term Relief
Addressing root causes of disc problems
Functional Restoration
Getting patients back to normal activities
Common Herniated Disc Treatment Questions
Yes, many herniated discs can heal naturally with proper treatment. The body has remarkable ability to reabsorb herniated disc material over time.
Most herniated discs (about 90%) respond well to conservative treatment. Surgery is typically only considered when conservative care fails and there are serious neurological symptoms.
Healing time varies depending on severity and location. Some patients see improvement within weeks, while others may take several months for complete healing.
Yes, spinal decompression is very safe when performed by trained professionals like Dr. Sorum. It’s FDA-approved and has an excellent safety record.
Certain exercises can be very beneficial for disc healing, while others may be harmful. Dr. Sorum will guide you on appropriate activities for your specific condition.
While we can’t guarantee prevention of future problems, proper treatment and lifestyle modifications significantly reduce the risk of recurrence.
Severe Disc Pain? We Can Help Today
Same-Day Appointments Available
Acute Disc Herniation
with severe symptoms
New Onset
leg or arm pain from disc problems
Worsening Disc Symptoms
not responding to home care
Work or Auto Accident
disc injuries
Emergency Situations - Seek Immediate Medical Care
Loss of bladder or bowel control (cauda equina syndrome)
Progressive weakness in arms or legs
Numbness in genital area
Severe pain in both arms or legs
Inability to move affected extremity
Comprehensive Herniated Disc Treatment
Dr. Sorum’s herniated disc treatment is enhanced by our integrated approach:
Spinal Decompression
Advanced technology specifically for disc problems
Chiropractic Adjustments
Gentle techniques appropriate for disc conditions
Physical Therapy
Strengthen supporting muscles and improve flexibility
Massage Therapy
Joy Vang's therapeutic massage reduces muscle tension and inflammation
Lifestyle Counseling
Address contributing factors and prevention strategies
Comprehensive Disc and Spine Care
Sciatica
Often caused by lumbar disc herniation
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related disc deterioration
Spinal Stenosis
Often occurs with disc problems
Pinched Nerves
Nerve compression from disc material
Chronic Back Pain
Often related to disc problems
Neck Pain
Can be caused by cervical disc herniation
Protecting Your Discs Every Day
Daily Activities
Lifting Safely
Squat down, keep back straight, avoid twisting
Sitting Properly
Use lumbar support, take frequent breaks
Sleeping Position
Side sleeping with pillow between knees
Getting Up
Roll to side before sitting up from lying down
Exercise Guidelines
Walking
Excellent low-impact exercise for disc health
Swimming
Provides exercise without spinal loading
Avoid High Impact
Running, jumping may aggravate disc problems
Core Strengthening
Support spine with strong abdominal muscles
Work and Travel
Ergonomic Workstation
Proper chair, monitor height, keyboard position
Frequent Position Changes
Stand and move every 30 minutes
Travel Tips
Use lumbar support, stop frequently on long drives
Stress Management
Reduce tension that can worsen disc problems
State-of-the-Art Equipment for Disc Healing
Computerized Spinal Decompression
FDA-approved Technology
Proven safe and effective for disc problems
Precise Computer Control
Customized treatment protocols
Real-time Monitoring
Continuous adjustment for optimal results
Patient Comfort Features
Designed for relaxation during treatment
Treatment Advantages
Non-invasive
No surgery, injections, or medications required
Pain Free
Most patients find treatment comfortable and relaxing
Outpatient
No hospital stay or recovery time needed
Proven Results
High success rates documented in clinical studies