![]() This is why we often take anti-inflammatories to dampen down the inflammation.įor discs in the neck, this can lead to shooting pains in the arms. Inflammation is a good thing, but if pain persists, the inflammation can be a source of pain in itself. When there is an injury to the disc, the body has a natural “inflammatory” response to heal an injury. Additionally, the material of the nucleus causes a chemical irritation to the nerve and pain. If the disc herniates, the nucleus can press against one of the nerves and this pressure can cause pain. The discs separate the vertebrae and allow space between them for these nerves to travel to the different parts of our body. The spinal column houses the spinal cord and at each level of the spine, nerves branch off from the spinal cord. When the nucleus of a disc pushes out and even passes through the walls of the disc, this is called a herniated disc of disc herniation. When a disc herniatesĪt any given time, we may have discs bulging out of shape. Water in the body is essential for the collagen in our discs and without enough water, the disc walls will dry out and weaken. We moisturise our skin to keep it from drying it out. Our discs are made of collagen, which is the same material as in our skin. We are recommended to drink two litres of water per day. The muscles in our back and our “core” muscles provide essential support to keep the spine supported and strong, which takes excess pressure off the discs. Pressure can also be exerted on the body when the surrounding muscles are weak, meaning there is less support for the discs and they are squashed even more. The front side can slowly dry out and weaken whilst the back side of the disc can weaken because it has the nucleus forced back against it for long periods. When we slouch in one position, we squash the front side of the disc and the nucleus of the disc is pushed back hard against the rear of the disc. This is because if we slouch over we put a lot of pressure on the discs at the base of the spine. Sitting and slouching squashes the life out of our discs. We constantly talk about posture with our patients. Additionally, as the discs lose water, the walls of the disc can dry out and weaken, making them less able to keep the nucleus inside, rather like the weakened walls of a dam which holds back water. Without water, the discs lose some of their hydrostatic pressure and shock-absorbing properties. The discs absorb water from their surroundings and if they are under constant pressure (compression), they cannot absorb water. If we don’t move, the constant pressure pushes the nucleus of the disc against the outer wall and over time, weakens it. The reason movement and good posture are so important is because discs help to support the pressure of our body. ![]() The most important thing we can do to look after our discs is to move, have good posture and to drink plenty of water. When a disc is healthy and hydrated it is bouncy like a well-inflated bicycle tyre, this is called hydrostatic pressure. At birth, the nucleus is made of 80% water and this percentage reduces as we age. They consist of an outer wall made of collagen and the centre of the disc is made of a toothpaste-like substance, called the nucleus pulposus. The discs are very strong, slightly spongy and provide cushioning. In order to bend our spines and cushion the vertebrae which are stacked on top of each other, the discs act as shock absorbers sandwiched between the vertebrae. In the spinal column, each bone (vertebra) is a solid structure. To understand how any treatments work, it is useful to understand what happens to cause a herniated disc or “disc herniation”.Ī spinal disc or “intervertebral disc” sits between the bones of our spines. This article helps to explain what causes a herniated disc and how the non-surgical treatments aim to resolve this debilitating condition. It is only a small percentage of cases which go on to have surgery. The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment. When the centre or nucleus of a disc pushes out and even passes through the wall of the disc, this is what we refer to as a herniated disc. The cotton reels are the bones and the cushions are the discs. Our spines are like a stack of cotton reels, with sponge-like cushions between them surrounded by soft tissues. Patients usually come across it for the first time from a therapist or doctor, just after they have found themselves with excruciating pain in their neck, back or legs, wondering what on earth they have done to themselves! “Herniated disc” is not a phrase we tend to learn about in biology classes at school. Stephen Haynes, Osteopath and IDD Therapy provider, and Clinical Director of Active Therapy Clinic, highlights the causes of a herniated disc and what treatments are available, here
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