While the intervertebral disc is a common culprit in spine-related health problems, its function is widely misunderstood.

The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between spinal bones. The soft jellylike center is contained by surrounding layers of fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, space, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending.

Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste - a process called imbibition. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion or position and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc can deteriorate. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, interfering with their function.

The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function can help decrease inflammation and begin the slow process of healing in the surrounding soft tissues.

We incorporate a technique call Cox Flexion/Distraction. This technique invigorates the disc through imbibition and creates a negative pressure inside of the disc, helping to reduce the disc bulge.

Can You "Slip" a Disc?

Because they are attached to vertebrae, discs do not slip, but they do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse, and dessicate.

Disc Tear

The most common disc injury is a small crack or microtear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out.

Bulging Disc

The soft jellylike material in the middle of the disc pushes to one side, forward or backward and swelling occurs. The nucleus is still contained within the tough outer fibers of the disc but can cause pressure and painful symptoms.

Herniated Disc

The soft jellylike material from the nucleus in the middle of the disc ruptures through the tough, outer fibers and extends to the outer edge or beyond the normal limits of the disc.

Prolapsed Disc

A piece of the disc material separates away and becomes a fragment or a free-floating piece.

Dessicated Disc

The disc loses its fluid content and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs just before the spinal bones fuse to each other.

Common Herniated Disc Symptoms

• Muscle weakness.
• Pain or increase in symptoms when you cough, sneeze or strain while having a bowel movement.
• Pain in the shoulder, arm and hand.
• Pain in the lower right side of the abdomen.
• Incontinence brought on by affected nerves to the bladder and bowel.
  This symptom constitutes a medical emergency. If you are experiencing incontinence as a result of a pinched nerve, please seek emergency medical attention right away.
• Pain shooting down through your buttock and thigh into the back of your leg.

Why We Shrink

There are 23 discs in the human spine. As we age, the fluid content of each disc begins to diminish. A 1/8" loss in each of the 23 discs would equal just under a 3" loss in height.