Slipped Discs

The term “Slipped disc” is a misnomer for a disc bulge or herniated disc. Discs are important and essential for a healthy functioning spine. The discs provide a cushion between the vertebrae and allow the spine to support body movement while keeping the spinal bones from grinding together when we move. The discs also assist the spinal bones to properly protect the spinal cord which carries thousands of nerves through it.

Vertebral discs are layered between stacked spinal bones. The outsides of the discs are made of an elastic fibrous mesh like tissue that is fused to the spinal bones. Inside the elastic webbing is a gel-like hydraulic system that is 88% water and helps react to compression.

Any subluxations of the spinal bones results in altered forces places upon the discs which compromises the form and function of the discs. Subluxations also restrict the exchange of nutrients to and from the disc since discs do not have a direct blood supply. In other words, if a subluxation is present in your spine, your discs are starving to death (degenerating). The subluxated spinal bones can cause the gel in the disc to be displaced from its normal location. If the gel is pushed out of its normal location but still contained within the outside fibrous ring, the condition is referred to as a bulge. If the gel has been pushed through the outside fibrous ring, the condition is referred to a herniated disc.

Science has questioned whether the bulge or herniated disc is the cause of the symptoms since research findings have found that many people with these conditions do not have pain while many people with these conditions have debilitating pain. This is the exact opposite of what would be expected if the disc derangement was the cause of the symptoms.

This may help explain why chiropractic is successful with many disc bulges and hernias. The Chiropractors approach is to help remove nerve irritation through correcting subluxated vertebrae. Since this treatment has been successful for many people the cause may be found related to the subluxation complex. Future research may shed light on this.

Chiropractic works to gently realign the spinal bones that are placing stress on the discs. Once the pressure is taken off of the discs, they may return to their normal position and are allowed to heal, once again providing proper shock absorption to the spine.