You have the MRI report. Somewhere in it is the word herniation, and somewhere in the conversation that followed, someone mentioned surgery. Now you are trying to work out whether that is the only road.
It usually is not, and this is the part that tends to go unexplained.
What the report is describing
A spinal disc sits between two vertebrae and works as a cushion. Under enough stress, repetitive strain or age-related wear, the softer inner material can push outward. When it presses on a nearby nerve root, you feel it — often not in your back but along wherever that nerve travels.
The distinction between a bulge and a herniation matters less than most people expect, and we covered it properly in bulging disc vs. herniated disc. What matters more is whether a nerve is under pressure, and where.
Why an MRI finding is not automatically the cause of your pain
Disc findings show up on imaging in people with no symptoms at all. That is not a reason to dismiss your report — it is a reason to check that the finding on the scan matches the pattern of your symptoms before anyone treats it.
If the examination and the imaging point at the same nerve level, you have something specific to work with. If they do not, treating the picture rather than the patient is a real risk.
What the Cox Technique does
Cox Flexion-Distraction is a gentle, non-surgical decompression performed on a specialised table. Rather than forcing a joint, it opens space at the affected segment, which reduces pressure on the nerve root and allows movement through a range that would otherwise hurt.
It is not a forceful adjustment, and it is not what most people picture when they imagine chiropractic. Dr. Propper is a Certified Cox Technique Specialist — a certification that requires dedicated training rather than a general qualification.
Who it suits, and who it does not
It is used for disc-related pain: herniation, bulge, and the nerve compression that comes with them, including where the disc has begun to degenerate over time.
It is not the answer to everything. Some presentations need medical management first, and some need surgical assessment. Loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness through the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly progressing weakness are emergencies — same-day medical attention, not an appointment.
Questions worth asking before you decide
- Does the imaging finding match my symptoms? If the scan shows a problem at one level and your pain follows a different nerve, that gap is worth resolving first.
- What happens if I try non-surgical care first? Ask what would have to change for the recommendation to change.
- How will we know whether it is working? A plan with no review point is not really a plan.
Where to start
If you are weighing options, bring the imaging. Reading it alongside an examination is more useful than either on its own, and it makes the conversation about what to do next a concrete one. You can read more about the technique on our Cox Technique page, or about related back pain care.
Weighing surgery and want another read on it? Schedule your visit online or call (203) 226-1047.
Common questions
What is Cox Flexion-Distraction?
A gentle, non-surgical form of spinal decompression performed on a specialised table. It creates space at the affected segment rather than forcing the joint, which is why it is used for disc-related pain.
Does a herniated disc always need surgery?
No. Many disc herniations are managed without surgery. Whether yours is one of them depends on your examination findings and your symptoms, and it is a decision to make with your physician rather than from an article.
Is Dr. Propper certified in the Cox Technique?
Yes. Dr. Propper is a Certified Cox Technique Specialist, which requires dedicated training beyond general chiropractic qualification.
When is a disc problem an emergency?
Loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness through the groin or inner thighs, or rapidly progressing weakness require emergency medical attention the same day.