A Look At Spinal Discs

Most people have herd someone say “I sliped a disc in my back”.  However, few people know that since discs are attached to the vertebrae they do not slip. Actually discs can have one of the below 5 conditions:

1.  Disc Tear -  Being one of the most frequent disc injuries a disc tear is essentially a slight tear in the outer cartilage of the disc.  As a result of this tear, fluid can leak out causing the thinning of a disc.

2.  Bulging Disc -  There is a soft jelly like material found in the disc.  When this jelly like material pushes to one side of the disc it creates a bluging or swelling which can cause painful  symptoms. 

3.  Herniated Disc - A herniated disc occurs when the soft jelly like material from inside the disc ruptures through or beyond the normal limit of the disc.

4.  Prolapsed Disc -  This condition occures when a piece of the disc sprates away and becomes free floating piece.

5.  Dessicated Disc -  When the disc loses it fluid it become worn down and eventially bone fuse together.

In general a healthy disc is flexible.  This flexibility is kept by normal motion in the spine which circulates joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste.  The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to keep motion in the spinal joints helping reduce inflammation in the surrounding and soft tissue. 

While disc problems can be very serious and no results (even surgery) can be guarenteed many patients have been able to aviod back surgery and pain medication by using conservative chiropractic care.