ARE YOU SUFFERING FROM A DISC INJURY?
A DISC DOESN'T SLIP
Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they also depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates. 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 vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their function.
Here are a few of the different kinds of disc injuries that make movements of the upper torso painful and difficult:
Disc Tear
The most common disc injury is a small crack or micro tear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.
Disc Tear
The most common disc injury is a small crack or micro tear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.
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Bulging DiscThe soft jelly-like 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 still cause pressure and painful symptoms.
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Herniated DiscThe soft jelly-like 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.
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Prolapsed DiscA piece of disc material separates away and becomes a fragment or a free-floating piece.
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Desiccated DiscThe disc loses its fluid content and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs as the bones begin to fuse to each other.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A DISC INJURY
All of the above issues tend to result in considerable back pain, numbness, and limitation in range of motion due to the irritation of the nerve roots at the point where the injury occurs and the impact this has on the surrounding tissues. A number of distressing symptoms can arise from this nerve irritation and damage, including but not limited to:
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Back pain
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Neck pain
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Weakness in the legs or feet
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Leg and foot pain, numbness and tingling (also known as sciatica)
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
CHIROPRACTIC APPROACH
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 helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can begin.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative chiropractic care. Because they are attached to vertebrae, discs do not slip, but they do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse and desiccate.
Whether the pain is mild or severe, it is important to deal with it promptly so that the issue does not progress an cause more permanent damage