What is a slipped disc?
Slipped disc is a misleading term as the disc does not slip or move. The disc is firmly attached to the bones above and below it and is bound in place by strong ligaments. The disc is really a shock absorber with a jelly centre which can deform if excess pressure is exerted on it. As a result of injury or repeated poor posture the jelly can shift inside the disc creating a bulge. The bulge can press on a nerve, leading to pain in the leg or arm.
Ruptured intervertebral discs, commonly known as “slipped discs” are often related to an episode of a sudden twisting movement while the back is flexed such as when lifting. The bones of the back, called vertebrae, are cushioned by sponge-like intervertebral discs. The bones and discs are surrounded by a protective sheath called the annulus fibrosis . A ruptured disc occurs when the annulus fibrosus is torn by movements, like those described above, and the disc material is able to poke through the torn protective covering. Symptoms of a ruptured disc include pain in the back and sometimes in the leg. Sciatica is a condition where the problem originates in the back, but the pain is perceived as a painful, burning sensation radiating down the buttock or leg. This problem occurs when spinal nerves, which also provide sensation to other parts of the body, are irritated or compressed by the bulging intervertebral disc.
“Disc injury” is a more accurate term; for the disc doesn’t actually slip. It’s what occurs when one of the 23 intervertebral discs – the “shock absorbers” between each of our vertebrae partially collapses, flattens down or bulges out, and causes pain. What can be done is, nineteen times out of twenty, research shows the patient is best served by such conservative treatment as chiropractic, rather than drastic steps such as surgery. Chiropractic treatment might include adjustment to alter the positions of the injured disc away from the nerve roots. Most important, are preventative measures such as exercises to strengthen the stomach and back muscles known as your core and prompt correction of spinal problems that might lead to future disc injuries.
