Disc Problems 

Discs act as shock absorbers when the spine undergoes a sudden change of movement, unusual pressure, or forceful jarring. The discs also give us more than a foot of our height. As a person grows older, thinning discs makes one appear to shrink.
Three Types of Disc Trouble: Generally, disc problems fall into three categories:

1. Slipped disc

2. Ruptured disc

3. Disc Degeneration

What is a Slipped Disc?

The spine is designed to withstand a great deal of stress and strain; but a fall, a back injury, a violent sneeze, or long-continued strain may throw a vertebra out of position, protrude a disc, and compress nerves. This is usually called slipped disc and happens at one time or another to about two out of five adults.

What is a Ruptured Disc?

In a true rupture, the tough outer portion of the disc is torn or split, and the soft portion then protrudes and often presses against spinal nerves. But when the outer covering only weakens and bulges (slips), chiropractic adjustments will often release the vertebra from its locked position, allowing the disc to return to normal and relieve the pressure on spinal nerves.

What is Disc Degeneration?

As we grow older and less active the tough elastic tissue of the disc begins to lose its fluid. The loss of fluid thins and weakens the disc making its function as a shock absorber for the spine ineffective. Although the discs BEGIN to degenerate after about 25 years of age, everyone SHOULD be able to complete his entire life span with no discomfort from this aging process. It is when the degeneration speeds up beyond normal that a person is likely to have trouble. The fast-weakening disc begins to bulge like a weak wall on an automobile tire and gradually protrudes into the spinal canal to press against nerves and cause pain.

What Causes Speed-Up of Degeneration?

Even young persons may suffer from disc degeneration due to poor nutrition. This is not malnutrition in the sense of what we eat. It has to do with starved disc tissue. Every cell of the body must be fed correctly in order to maintain its proper function...and the disc is no exception. The disc must absorb its nutrition from the fluids which surround it. The disc may get some of its food through osmosis, but adequate absorption of nutrients takes place when the disc is in a state of accordion-like motion. when in motion it squeezes the surrounding fluid in and out, much like the action of a sponge. Some of the factors affecting disc nutrition are in-activity, poor posture, stress, weak muscles, injuries, muscle spasms, and fixation (two adjoining vertebrae moving as one).

Low Back Discs Give Most Trouble

Any of the spinal discs can be injured or undergo degeneration; but because of their location, discs in the lower spine are subjected to the greatest weight-bearing stress and are most likely to slip or be compressed. Persons who do a lot of lifting are likely candidates for disc trouble because of the day-to-day stress upon the low back. Regardless of occupation, anyone may have weak, degenerated discs. Office workers, inveterate bridge players, and chronic TV watchers are often affected since prolonged sitting is a primary cause of disc trouble.

What Can Be Done?

Fortunately, 95% of all disc cases can be managed through modern chiropractic methods. Years of research and experience in disc cases qualifies the doctor of chiropractic as the doctor of choice in acute and chronic disc problems. Chiropractic Care For Disc ProblemsSpecialized chiropractic techniques in disc care include:1. Thorough chiropractic examination to determine extent and cause2. Realigning the spinal column3. Balancing the spine and pelvis4. Eliminating fixations5. Reducing vertebral subluxations6. Stimulating disc nutrition7. Revitalizing ligaments and muscles

Chiropractic techniques may be employed in the management of particular disc problems. Any person suffering from acute or chronic back pain should see a doctor of chiropractic to determine the cause and what should be done about it. Part of proper treatment is prevention of additional disc damage. A doctor of chiropractic knows DISC PROBLEMS and can help you. Published solely in the interest of Chiropractic Health Education© G.T. Press 1986