Herniated Disc: A Postural Chiropractic Approach | Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, Chiropractor
Living with a herniated disc, lumbar or cervical, turns the simplest movements into challenges. Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, chiropractor, has been in practice for over ten years and is trained in the CBP (Chiropractic BioPhysics) technique, an approach centered on the objective evaluation of posture and spinal alignment. A graduate of the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and a member of the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec, he sees patients in Roxboro and Villeray for a complete chiropractic evaluation and a care plan adapted to each condition.
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Why consult Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, Chiropractor
Several chiropractors in Montreal can address a herniated disc. Here is what defines Dr. Beghdadi's practice for this condition:
- Over ten years of chiropractic practice, with a sustained focus on posture correction and spinal disorders
- Trained in the CBP (Chiropractic BioPhysics) technique,an approach grounded in objective postural measurements rather than subjective evaluation
- Complete evaluation from the first visit: case history, orthopedic and neurological tests, postural analysis and, if clinically indicated, radiological examination
- Care plan explained before treatments begin,so you know what to expect, how many sessions are anticipated, and what role you play in your recovery
- Emphasis on prevention and ergonomics at work and at home, so the benefits of care extend over the long term
- Two Montreal clinics,in Roxboro and Villeray, for easier access to care wherever you live
The CBP technique, and why it matters for your herniated disc
The CBP (Chiropractic BioPhysics) technique relies on objective postural measurements and aims to progressively restore the physiological curves of the spine. Training in this approach requires hours of intensive study beyond the doctorate in chiropractic. For a herniated disc, where posture determines the load on the discs, this approach targets the mechanical imbalances that contribute to disc compression.
Dr. Beghdadi, chiropractor, also intervenes in workplaces and in the community to educate the public on neuro-vertebral and postural health. This preventive vision is not a marketing line: it informs every evaluation, every care plan, and every piece of advice offered at the clinic. For a condition such as a herniated disc, where posture and spinal alignment play a direct mechanical role, this consistency between evaluation, treatment, and prevention makes a tangible difference.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus of an intervertebral disc passes through a fissure in the surrounding annulus fibrosus. The disc, located between each vertebra of the spine, acts as a shock absorber. When part of the nucleus protrudes, it can compress a nearby nerve root and trigger pain accompanied by radiation into the affected limb. Herniated discs occur most often in the lumbar region, where pressure on the discs is highest. The cervical spine is the second most affected area.
Symptoms of a herniated disc
Symptoms vary according to the location of the herniated disc and the nerve being compressed:
- Localized pain in the lower back or neck, sometimes sharp, sometimes dull and persistent
- Radiation into the leg (sciatica, cruralgia) in the case of a lumbar herniated disc
- Radiation into the arm or hand (cervico-brachial neuralgia) in the case of a cervical herniated disc
- Numbness or tingling in the affected limb
- Muscle weakness in the leg or arm
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion
The intensity of symptoms does not always reflect the size of the herniation.
Warning signs requiring urgent medical consultation
Certain symptoms require immediate medical evaluation. The nerves in the lumbo-pelvic region transmit force and energy to the organs of the pelvis. A neuro-vertebral or discal compression in this region can block this transmission and cause significant loss of strength in the leg or foot, loss of sensation in the anal or genital region, urinary or fecal incontinence, or extreme pain not relieved by usual measures. These signs may indicate cauda equina syndrome or spinal cord compression. Your chiropractor is trained to identify the signs and symptoms associated with this condition and to refer you to a medical practitioner when indicated.
Recognize your symptoms in this list?
A chiropractic evaluation helps clarify what is happening and identify the care options suited to your condition.
Make an appointmentCauses and risk factors
A herniated disc rarely results from a single event. More often it is the combination of factors that weakens the disc's annulus fibrosus:
- Age-related disc degeneration
- Heavy lifting or repetitive movements
- Trauma (fall, accident, sudden movement)
- Prolonged poor posture, particularly forward head posture in front of a screen
- Sedentary lifestyle and weak core musculature
- Excess weight, which increases pressure on the lumbar discs
Posture plays a central role. A postural imbalance changes how loads are distributed across the discs and can accelerate their wear. This is precisely the mechanism that the postural correction approach used at the clinic targets.
Lumbar vs. cervical herniated disc
Lumbar herniated disc
Lumbar herniated discs account for roughly 90% of all herniated discs. They most often affect the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels, where the lumbar spine supports the weight of the trunk. Pain is felt in the lower back and may extend down the leg. This is referred to as sciatica when the sciatic nerve is involved, or cruralgia when the femoral nerve is involved. A lumbar herniated disc is frequently accompanied by a postural imbalance of the pelvis and a loss of the physiological lumbar lordosis.
Cervical herniated disc
Cervical herniated discs are less frequent but can be particularly debilitating. They most often affect the C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels. Pain radiates into the shoulder, arm, and sometimes into the hand — a presentation known as cervico-brachial neuralgia. Numbness in the fingers, weakness in the arm, and headaches of cervical origin are commonly reported. Forward head posture, characteristic of desk work, directly increases the load on the cervical discs.
Our postural chiropractic approach for herniated disc
When facing a herniated disc, conservative care is the recommended first line of treatment. At our clinic, chiropractic care aims to address the musculoskeletal components: pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, postural imbalance.
What sets our approach apart: posture and spinal alignment are not incidental details. They determine how loads are distributed across the discs. That is why postural evaluation systematically precedes the care plan.
Chiropractic evaluation and postural analysis
Your first visit begins with a detailed case history, followed by orthopedic and neurological tests and a complete postural analysis. These steps allow Dr. Beghdadi, chiropractor, to establish a chiropractic diagnosis and to tell you clearly whether the chiropractic approach is appropriate for your condition.
The CBP technique (Chiropractic BioPhysics)
The CBP technique relies on objective and reproducible postural measurements rather than subjective evaluation. Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, chiropractor, is trained in this approach, which aims to support the progressive restoration of the spine's physiological curves in order to reduce mechanical strain on the intervertebral discs. The approach combines targeted chiropractic adjustments, specific postural exercises, and adapted loading protocols.
Chiropractic care and treatment plan
The care plan may include, depending on your condition, chiropractic adjustments, mobilizations, in-clinic and at-home traction, muscle therapies, corrective exercises, and postural advice adapted to your daily life. The number of sessions and the duration of the plan vary according to symptom severity and your response to care. You receive a clear picture of the proposed plan before treatments begin.
Let's discuss your condition during a first evaluation.
Make an appointmentPrevention and daily postural habits
Prevention, and especially preventing recurrence, rests on your daily habits:
- Ensure your posture is adequate, symmetrical, strong, and stable at all times
- Maintain proper posture when sitting, standing, and during physical activity
- Set up your workstation to respect spinal alignment
- Strengthen the core musculature (abdominals, paraspinal muscles)
- Engage in regular physical activity adapted to your condition
- Lift loads by bending the knees rather than the back
- Integrate active breaks to avoid prolonged sitting
These measures amplify the benefits of an individualized care plan. Ergonomics and prevention are part of the advice offered to every patient, at the clinic and in workplace settings.
Want a personalized plan rather than generic advice?
Make an appointmentBook an appointment in Roxboro or Villeray
Dr. Hamza Beghdadi, chiropractor, sees patients at two clinics in Montreal. Choose the one that suits you best and book your evaluation.
Roxboro Clinic
Centre Chiropratique Roxboro 10400 Gouin O Boul., Roxboro, QC H8Y 1W4 Phone: 514-683-3476
Villeray Clinic
1100 Crémazie Blvd E, Suite 210, Montreal, QC H2P 2X2 Phone: 514-742-7777
Choose your clinic and book your chiropractic evaluation.
Make an appointmentFrequently asked questions about herniated disc
Why choose a posture-correction approach rather than a standard treatment?
The CBP approach stands out for its reliance on objective postural measurements and for a protocol that targets the progressive correction of spinal curves, not only symptomatic relief. For a herniated disc, this attention to posture and alignment can help reduce the mechanical strain on the affected disc.
Can chiropractic care treat a herniated disc?
Chiropractic care does not treat the herniated disc itself. It aims to relieve the musculoskeletal components that accompany it: pain, stiffness, loss of mobility, postural imbalance. The approach is part of conservative care and represents, for the majority of our patients, a primary health resource for them and their families.
Are chiropractic adjustments safe in the case of a herniated disc?
When performed by a chiropractor who is a member of the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec, after an appropriate evaluation, chiropractic adjustments are very safe and effective. The chiropractor adapts the techniques to your condition: gentler approaches, such as mobilizations or instrumental techniques, may be preferred in the presence of a symptomatic herniated disc.
Do I need an MRI before consulting?
No. The initial clinical evaluation often guides care decisions. If imaging is deemed clinically necessary, the chiropractor may recommend it. If you already have an MRI report, bring it to your first visit.