A chiropractor can help address back pain and other herniated disc symptoms. At your initial appointment, your chiropractor will go through your medical history, do a physical exam, and perform orthopaedic and neurological tests.

Your chiropractor will look for several things. These are important questions the orthopaedic and neurological exams can help your chiropractor answer.

Are the reflexes intact? That is, are your nerves sending messages correctly? (The classic reflex test is when the doctor taps your knee with a small hammer and your leg kicks up.)

Is there loss of muscle strength or signs of muscle wasting? Is there loss of sensation along the path of a nerve?

The chiropractor will also carefully look at your posture, and he or she may order an X-ray or MRI, if necessary, to help with the diagnostic process.

Chiropractors evaluate the entire spine. Even if you only have lower back pain, your chiropractor may examine your neck, too, for example. He or she wants to see how well your spine is functioning overall, and remember — what happens in one area of your spine can influence other parts of your spine and/or body.

After reviewing this information, your chiropractor can determine if you have an intervertebral disc injury. The type of disc injury you have will determine what treatments your chiropractor will use to address your symptoms.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com