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What is a disc?
The disc, sometimes spelled as disk, is a small cartilage pad that is situated between each of the 24 spinal bones (vertebrae). The soft, jelly-like center of each disc is contained by circular layers of dense fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending.
What goes wrong?
Spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, and 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 dysfunction of proper joint movement, called a subluxation, is how many disc problems begin.
Subluxations are caused by accidents, old injuries, chronic overuse, improper lifting, poor posture, poor nutrition, stress, and general lack of health. Subluxations contribute to the weakening of one or more of the discs of the spinal column, as well as each of their prospective nerve roots.
What is a disc "syndrome"?
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 (as well as the other reasons listed above) can cause discs to bulge, herniate, prolapse, rupture, or degenerate. All of these abnormalities can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, and causing the pain, muscle spasm, weaknes, numbness, and tingling associated with pinched nerves, such as with sciatica.
DISC TEAR
The most common disc injury is a small crack or microtear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called the annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.
BULGING DISC
The soft jelly-like material in the middle of the disc pushes against the annular fibers and swelling occurs. The nucleus is still contained within the tough, outer fibers of the disc, but can still cause pressure and painful symptoms.
HERNIATED DISC
The 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.
PROLAPSED DISC
A piece of disc material separates away and becomes a free-floating fragment.
DESSICATED DISC
The disc loses it's fluid content and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs as the bones begin to spur and fuse to each other.
Can surgery be avoided?
The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joint. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps reduce inflammation and begin the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues. Dr. Dan uses a variety of chiropractic techniques, such as pelvic bocking and cox flexion-distraction to help ease as much stress off of the disc as possible.
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