Disc Problems

Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they also depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste.  If the spinal joint loses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates.  Like a wet sponge, a health disc is flexible.  A dry sponge is hard, stiff and can crack easily.  This is how many disc problems begin.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought.  However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture.  This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their function.

The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to restore better motion and position to the spinal joints.  Beside reducing disc bulging, better spinal function helps decrease inflammation so the slow process of healing the surrounding soft tissues can occur.

While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing conservative Chiropractic Care or Acupuncture.

Because they are attached to the vertebrae, discs do not slip, but they do tear, bulge, herniate, prolapse and dessicate.

Resources:

Cassidy, J.D., Thiel, H.W., Kirkaldy-Willis, W.H., Side Posture Manipulation for Intervertebral Disc Herniation, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 16:97-103, 1993.

Colter, H., M.D., Goyer, L., M.D., Hochschuler, S., M.D., Rehabilitation of the Spine, Mosby, 1993.

Cox, J.D.C., Low Back Pain, Mechanism, Diagnosis and Treatment, 4th edition, Williams and Wilkins, 1990.

Hochschuler, S., M.D., Texas Back Institute, Back In Shape, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991.

Kapandji, I.A., The Physiology of the Joints, Vol. 3, Churchill Livingstone 1982. 

Kellett, J., Acute Soft Tissue Injuries: A Review of the Literature, Medicine and Science of Sports and Exercise, Vol. 18, No. 5., p.489-500, American College of Sports Medicine, 1986.

Kessler, R., Hertling, D., Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders, Harper and Row, 1883. 

Manelfe, C., M.d., Imaging of the Spine and Spinal Cord,  Raven Press 1991.

NWuga, VCB: Relative Therapeutic Efficacy of Vertebral Manipulation and Conventional Treatment in Back Pain Management, Am. Phys. Med., 61:273, 1982.

Valenti, E., Acute Lumbar Disc Syndrome Under Chiropractic Care, A Two Year Statistical Study, Swiss Chiropractic Association, 51 Avenue Du Casino, Montreux, Switzerland, 1820.

White, A.A., M.D., and Panjabi, M.M., PhD., Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine, 2nd edition, J.B. Lippincott, 1990.