Blog Update: Intervertebral Discs
Cushions for the spine.
The discs of the spine are made of a strong cartilage and a “jelly-like” substance inside and are located in between 24 bones of your spinal column. Each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below it. Along with providing cushion from impact and gravity, the discs also space the vertebrae far enough apart from one another allowing for spinal roots (nerves) to leave the spinal cord/column and supply our body with all the nervous system information necessary for a healthy life. Injury or degenerative processes to the discs can be very painful and traumatic to our body’s ability to function properly. Problems to the disc include: thinning, wedging, bulging, protrusions, tearing or herniation…note: no “slipping”.
Each disc has the natural ability to withstand the motions of life. Healthy discs give you the flexibility of the spinal column and produce a pumping action that supplies proper disc nutrition and waste removal via blood flow. However, trauma can lead to a chain reaction of negative consequence. Spinal misalignments and joint restrictions can cause the disc tissue over time to adapt into a wedge-like shape. While this is the earliest stage of disc damage, symptoms may or may not be present even though disc encroachment unto adjacent nerve tissue may be happening.



