Slipped Disc
Slipped disc refers to a
condition where the pad of tissue between two spinal bones is
shifted out of normal position. Discs are important and
useful when healthy. The discs allow the spine to support
body movement and keep the spinal bones from grinding together
when our backs move. The discs also assist the spinal bones to
properly protect the spinal cord which carries thousands of
nerves through it.
Vertebral discs are layered
between stacked spinal bones. The outsides of the discs
are made of an elastic mesh like tissue that is fused to the
spinal bones. Inside the elastic webbing is a gel-like
hydraulic system that is 88% water and helps react to
compression.
Any misalignments of the spinal
bones can result in decreased function of the discs.
The misaligned spinal bones cause the disc in between the bones
to be squeezed out. When it bulges out past the sides of
the vertebrae, the disc is considered "slipped", although bulged
would be a better term.
Chiropractic works to gently
realign the spinal bones that are keeping stress on the discs.
Once the pressure is taken off of the discs, they return to
their normal position and are allowed to heal, once again
providing proper shock absorption to the spine.
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