Herniated Disc Treatment

Herniated Disc Treatment in Holland, MI — McAlpine Chiropractic

You Have Been Told You Have a Herniated Disc. Now What?

A herniated disc diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Maybe an MRI just confirmed what you have suspected for weeks — that the pain radiating down your leg or arm is coming from a damaged disc in your spine. Maybe a surgeon has already mentioned discectomy or fusion. Maybe you are searching for alternatives because surgery does not feel like the right answer yet.

If that is where you are, you should know this: the majority of herniated discs can be treated successfully without surgery. And at McAlpine Chiropractic in Holland, MI, herniated disc treatment is one of our specialties.

We combine chiropractic adjustments, FDA-cleared non-surgical spinal decompression, and Class IV laser therapy to treat herniated and bulging discs at their source — reducing nerve compression, promoting disc healing, and getting you back to your life without an operating room.

Schedule Your Appointment | Call 616-392-7031

Serving Holland, Zeeland, Saugatuck, and West Michigan | Over 30 years of experience | 4.8+ stars on Google

What Is a Herniated Disc?

Your spinal column is made up of 24 moveable vertebrae, and between each pair sits an intervertebral disc — a tough, flexible cushion with a gel-like center (the nucleus pulposus) surrounded by layers of strong fibrous tissue (the annulus fibrosus). These discs absorb shock, distribute load, and allow your spine to bend and twist.

A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of the disc tears or weakens, allowing the gel-like center to push outward. When this herniated material contacts or compresses a nearby spinal nerve root, it causes pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness — often radiating into the arm (for cervical herniations) or the leg (for lumbar herniations).

Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

• Radiating pain — shooting pain from the low back into the buttock and leg (sciatica), or from the neck into the shoulder and arm
• Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, arm, or hand — the specific location indicates which nerve root is affected
• Muscle weakness — difficulty gripping objects, lifting the foot, or pushing off while walking
• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing
• Reduced range of motion — difficulty bending or twisting without pain
• Pain that improves when lying down or walking (reduced disc pressure in these positions)

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms in Holland, MI, early and accurate diagnosis is critical. The longer a nerve remains compressed, the more difficult recovery becomes.

Herniated Disc vs. Bulging Disc — What Is the Difference?

These two terms are often confused, and the distinction matters for treatment.

Bulging disc: The disc expands outward beyond its normal boundary but remains intact. Think of it like a hamburger patty that is wider than the bun — the disc is protruding, but nothing has broken through. Bulging discs are very common (many people have them without symptoms) and often develop gradually from age-related degeneration, repetitive stress, or postural imbalance.

Herniated disc: The outer wall of the disc has torn, and the inner gel material has pushed through the tear. This is a more significant structural failure. The herniated material can directly compress a nerve root, causing the sharp radiating pain, numbness, and weakness that characterize disc herniation.

Degenerative disc disease is a related but distinct condition. Over time, discs lose hydration and height. The vertebrae move closer together, narrowing the space available for nerve roots. Bone spurs may form. This degeneration can cause a disc to bulge or herniate, or it can cause pain independently through joint irritation and nerve compression.

All three conditions — bulging disc, herniated disc, and degenerative disc disease — respond to the conservative treatments we provide at McAlpine Chiropractic. The specific approach depends on the severity, location, and whether nerve compression is present.

When Is Surgery Necessary — and When Is Conservative Care the Right Choice?

This is the question most herniated disc patients want answered. Here is an honest assessment.

Surgery may be necessary when:

• You have progressive neurological deficits — meaning the weakness in your leg or arm is getting worse despite treatment
• You have cauda equina syndrome — sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, saddle numbness, and severe bilateral leg weakness (this is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery)
• Six months of consistent conservative treatment has not produced meaningful improvement
• The structural damage is severe enough that non-surgical approaches cannot adequately decompress the nerve

Conservative care is appropriate — and often successful — when:

• Pain and neurological symptoms are stable or improving
• You have not yet tried structured chiropractic care combined with spinal decompression
• Your MRI shows a contained herniation without cord compression
• You want to exhaust non-surgical options before committing to an irreversible procedure

A landmark study published in JAMA (2006) followed patients with lumbar disc herniations and found that surgical and non-surgical groups showed similar improvement at four-year follow-up — suggesting that many patients can achieve excellent outcomes without surgery when conservative care is appropriate.

At McAlpine Chiropractic, we will always tell you honestly if your condition requires surgical evaluation. We are not opposed to surgery — we are opposed to unnecessary surgery. Our goal is to give you every opportunity to heal without it, and to refer you promptly if your case demands a different approach.

How We Treat Herniated and Bulging Discs at McAlpine Chiropractic

Our Holland, MI clinic combines multiple treatment approaches to address every component of a disc injury — the structural displacement, the nerve compression, the inflammation, and the muscular compensation.

Comprehensive Diagnosis — Imaging First

Effective herniated disc treatment starts with knowing exactly what is happening inside your spine. Our chiropractors — Dr. Phillip Maletta, Dr. Ben De Young, and Dr. Ann McAlpine — can order X-rays and MRI directly from our office. There is no need for a referral to another provider and no weeks-long wait for imaging. If you already have an MRI, bring it to your first visit — we will review it thoroughly.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression (SpineMed Table)

Our FDA-cleared SpineMed decompression table is the centerpiece of herniated disc treatment at McAlpine Chiropractic. This is not ordinary traction. The SpineMed system uses precisely controlled angles — 0 to 25 degrees for lumbar discs, 0 to 30 degrees for cervical discs — to isolate the exact disc that is damaged and create targeted negative pressure within the disc space.

What that negative pressure does:

• Draws herniated or bulging disc material back toward the center of the disc, away from the compressed nerve
• Creates a vacuum effect that promotes the flow of oxygen, water, and nutrients into the dehydrated, damaged disc
• Reduces intradiscal pressure from approximately +200 mmHg (standing) to -150 mmHg (during decompression)
• Allows the outer annulus to begin healing as pressure is relieved

The SpineMed table’s patented pelvic restraint system eliminates the muscle guarding response that limits other decompression systems. It applies approximately 60% less force than conventional systems while achieving superior decompression. For cervical herniations, gel-padded brackets cradle the head without jaw pressure — comfortable and effective.

Most herniated disc patients undergo 20 to 30 decompression sessions over 6 to 8 weeks. Each session lasts approximately 30 minutes. The treatment is gentle — many patients fall asleep during the procedure.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments complement decompression by restoring proper vertebral alignment. When vertebrae are misaligned, they create uneven pressure on discs and nerve roots — which can cause a disc to herniate in the first place and prevent it from healing. Precise spinal adjustments reduce this asymmetric loading, improve joint mobility, and optimize the spinal environment for disc recovery.

Class IV Laser Therapy

Class IV laser therapy addresses the inflammatory and soft tissue components of a disc injury. Herniated discs create significant inflammation around the compressed nerve root, and the surrounding muscles go into protective spasm. Laser therapy reduces inflammation at the cellular level, accelerates tissue repair, and provides measurable pain relief — reinforcing the structural correction achieved through decompression and adjustments.

Corrective Exercises and Core Stabilization

A disc that has herniated needs long-term structural support to prevent re-injury. Our chiropractors have passed the national board exam for physical therapy and provide targeted core strengthening and flexibility exercises in-house. These exercises stabilize the spine around the healing disc and reduce the forces that contributed to the herniation. When rehabilitation needs exceed our in-office scope, we coordinate with local physical therapists — including Ruther Health and Wellness and Rehab for Performance — to ensure a complete recovery.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

Your first appointment is focused on accurate diagnosis. We begin with a thorough history and examination — orthopedic testing, neurological assessment, range of motion evaluation, and review of any existing imaging. If MRI is needed and you do not have one, we order it directly.

Once we confirm the diagnosis, we explain what is happening to your disc, which nerve is involved, and exactly how we plan to treat it. You will know the expected timeline, the number of visits, and what outcomes are realistic for your specific condition.

In most cases, we begin treatment on your first visit. There is no reason to wait when your nerve is compressed and your disc needs help.

Book Your First Visit | Call 616-392-7031

Why Choose McAlpine Chiropractic for Herniated Disc Treatment

• SpineMed spinal decompression — Our FDA-cleared SpineMed table is among the most advanced non-surgical disc treatment systems available. It is not offered at most chiropractic or physical therapy offices in Holland, MI.
• Three experienced chiropractors — Dr. Phillip Maletta, Dr. Ben De Young, and Dr. Ann McAlpine have decades of combined experience treating disc injuries conservatively.
• In-house diagnostic imaging — We order X-rays and MRI directly, eliminating referral delays and getting you answers faster.
• Comprehensive approach — Decompression, adjustments, laser therapy, and corrective exercises address every component of your disc injury under one roof.
• Over 30 years serving Holland — An established, trusted practice with a 4.8+ star Google rating.

Learn more about our team and our approach.

Patient Results

“Dr. Ann has a gift in figuring out what hurts and why and how. Second to none, hands down the best.” — Verified Google Review

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Frequently Asked Questions About Herniated Disc Treatment

Can a herniated disc heal without surgery?

Yes. The majority of herniated discs can be treated successfully with conservative care. A study published in JAMA (2006) found that patients with lumbar disc herniations treated non-surgically showed similar outcomes to surgical patients at four-year follow-up. Non-surgical spinal decompression, chiropractic adjustments, and laser therapy address the structural cause of nerve compression and promote disc healing without incisions or downtime.

What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?

A bulging disc expands outward beyond its normal boundary but remains structurally intact — no tear in the outer wall. A herniated disc has a tear in the outer annulus, and the inner gel material has pushed through. Herniations are generally more symptomatic because the extruded material can directly compress a nerve root. Both conditions are treatable with spinal decompression and chiropractic care.

How long does it take to recover from a herniated disc?

With consistent treatment — typically 20 to 30 spinal decompression sessions over 6 to 8 weeks combined with adjustments and laser therapy — most patients experience significant improvement. Some patients feel relief within the first few sessions. Full recovery depends on the severity of the herniation, how long the nerve has been compressed, and the patient’s overall health. We provide a specific timeline after your examination.

Is spinal decompression the same as traction?

No. While both involve stretching the spine, spinal decompression on the SpineMed table is fundamentally different from traction. The SpineMed uses precisely controlled angles to isolate the targeted disc, a patented pelvic restraint that eliminates muscle guarding, and cycling protocols that create true negative intradiscal pressure. Traditional traction applies a sustained, non-specific pull that often triggers muscle spasm and does not achieve the same decompression effect. Read more about how the SpineMed works.

Can a chiropractor make a herniated disc worse?

When performed by a qualified chiropractor after proper diagnosis and imaging, chiropractic adjustments for herniated discs are safe and effective. At McAlpine Chiropractic, we review imaging before performing any adjustment on a patient with a known disc injury. The techniques we use are selected specifically for disc patients — gentle, controlled, and designed to reduce pressure rather than increase it.

How do I know if I have a herniated disc?

The most reliable way to confirm a herniated disc is MRI. However, certain clinical signs strongly suggest disc herniation: radiating pain into the leg (sciatica) or arm, numbness or tingling that follows a specific nerve path, weakness in a specific muscle group, and pain that worsens with sitting or bending. Our chiropractors can order MRI directly from our Holland, MI office — no referral needed.

Does insurance cover herniated disc treatment?

Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care, though coverage for spinal decompression varies by plan. If your herniated disc resulted from a car accident, your Michigan no-fault auto insurance PIP benefits typically cover treatment. Call our office at 616-392-7031 and we will help you check your benefits before your first visit.

Your Disc Is Not Going to Fix Itself. But It Can Heal.

Herniated discs do not resolve on their own. Left untreated, nerve compression worsens, muscle compensation patterns develop, and what started as a disc problem becomes a chronic pain condition that affects your entire life. But with the right treatment — targeted decompression, precise spinal correction, and therapeutic support — your disc can heal, the nerve pressure can be relieved, and you can get back to living without pain.

McAlpine Chiropractic in Holland, MI has the experience, the technology, and the results to treat your herniated disc without surgery. We have helped thousands of disc patients recover — and many of them were told surgery was their only option.

Schedule Your Appointment Now

Call us: 616-392-7031

Visit us: McAlpine Chiropractic, Holland, MI

Hours: Monday-Friday