Following up on our last post on low back pain, we continue on by taking a deeper look at one of the causes of lower back pain- disc injuries. Most of us have heard someone say one of or a combination of the following: I slipped a disc, my disc went out, I herniated a disc, or I have a bulging disc. Though these sayings are slightly different, they all mean the same thing- there has been some damage to the intervertebral disc. Let’s learn more about what a disc is and what causes it to get damaged in the first place.
Anatomy of a disc
The discs sit between the vertebrae, the bones of the spine. You can think of them like a jelly donut more solid on the outside with fluid on the inside. The outer part called the annulus, is pretty tough cartilage, and the inner part, the nucleus, is softer and more fluid. Our discs act as the shock absorbers for the spine. When you have a bulging disc it means part of the disc has been damaged and the more fluid part is pushing outwards into the annulus, the worst type of disc injury is when the outer annulus gets torn and the nucleus fluid come all the way out into the spinal canal. Because the discs are so close to the spinal cord and vital nerves, if the disc has come too far outwards, it can put pressure or compress on nerves, sometimes causing pain to shoot down the leg. These types of disc injuries are tricker and might need further referral to a specialist depending on the severity.
Why do discs bulge?
Trauma is a big factor in disc injuries. Trauma can mean: car accident, whiplash, fall, etc, but trauma can also be less obvious. Repetitive bad habits and postures can cause slow degenerative changes over time, such as truck or bus drivers who deal with constant vibration from the road for 8-10 hours per day, or keeping the back bent forward in a slouched posture while working at a desk or computer all day. These things can cause changes to develop slowly until one day something will finally give. Some other risk factors for disc injuries include: twisting movements, heavy/improper lifting, (a combination of bending, twisting, and lifting all at one time is one of the most risky positions for the back), obesity, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle.
Disc bulge does not equal pain…Many studies have shown lumbar disc injuries in people who have experienced no pain!!!
What can you do?
Don’t let a diagnosis dictate your future! Many people live with disc herniations and don’t even know it. Why does one person experience pain and the other doesn’t? Are there any other reasons for the pain? What caused the problem in the first place? These are all questions that need to be asked. Discs do get better on their own, it just takes time, but treatment can help aid the process. It is important to change some of your habits as well, learning how to lift and move better to save your spine, as well as strengthening up the core muscles. Our goal is to help you live and move well by strengthening the muscles around the area and improving your mobility to help take stress off of the back. Contact us today to see if we can help with your disc injury!
Yours in Health,
The Lawlor Clinic
Chiropractic | Sports Injuries | Active Release Techniques (ART®)
