A National Health Family Practice

Disc Problems

What is a disc?  There are twenty-four ring-shaped spinal bones.  Between each of these bones is a highly elastic cushion.  They serve to both hold the vertebrae together and keep them apart.  The discs allow the spinal column to bend and twist freely.  Discs act as shock absorbers when the spine undergoes a sudden change of movement, unusual pressure or forceful jarring.

There are three kinds of disc problems:  

1.  Slipped disc: When a vertebra is thrown out of place, the disc may protrude and compress nerves.  This is usually called a slipped disc.  

2. Ruptured disc: A true rupture, on the other hand, is when the disc is torn or split and the soft portion protrudes and presses against spinal nerves.  

3. disc degeneration.

3.  Disc degeneration:  A disc starts to lose fluid in about the third decade of life.  This is a normal process.  However, when the process occurs abnormally fast, the fast-weakening disc begins to bulge like a weak wall on an automobile tire, and this may press on the delicate spinal nerves. A high percentage of disc cases can be managed through conservative Chiropractic Care.  Specialized chiropractic techniques in disc care include: 1.  Thorough chiropractic examination to determine cause

2.  Realign the spinal column

3.  Balancing the spine.

4.  Eliminating fixations

5.  Reducing vertebral subluxations

6.  Stimulating disc nutrition

7.  Revitalizing ligaments and muscles