Health blog Category: disc
Why the Spine Needs Discs
What are they and why do we need them?
To start, let’s talk about what these discs are. You may have heard the analogy that the discs in your back are like a jelly doughnut. The disc should be filled with fluid kind of like the strawberry jelly in one of these treats. The outer lining of the disc is made of up rings and then in the center, there is a jelly-like fluid.
Read full blogWhy Does Our Back Hurt?
Low Back Pain is one of the most common reasons for disability in Americans and impacts a very large portion of the population. You may be wondering why this is.
Contributors of Low Back Pain
There are many contributors to this type of pain, some being:
- living a sedentary life-style
- being overweight
- core weakness
- sitting for large portions of the day
- trauma
- muscle imbalances
- overall aging
Our population is living longer than ever before, but with that comes increased degenerative changes occurring.
Read full blogCommon Causes of Low Back Injuries
The single most common cause of lower back pain is a torn or pulled muscle and/or ligament. The lumbar spine, or low back, is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leaves the low back susceptible to injury and pain.
Common causes of sprain and strain include:
- Lifting a heavy object, or twisting the spine while lifting
- Sudden movements that place too much stress on the low back, such as a fall
- Poor posture over time
- Sports injuries, especially in sports that involve twisting or large forces of impact
Common Injuries and their symptoms:
- Lumbar Herniated Disc
- The jelly-like center of a lumbar disc can break through the tough outer layer and irritate a nearby nerve root.
Key Ways to Relieve Neck & Back Discomfort
There are many common causes of both back pain and neck pain. However, both of these can be treated with physical therapy.
Causes of Back Pain:
- Changes in the spine’s anatomy
- Lumbar disc herniation
- occurs when the gel-like interior of the disc leaks outward and irritates the nerve roots. It typically causes a stabbing pain in the back of the legs and back pain.
- Lumbar degenerative disc disease
- Wear and tear on the spinal discs can lead to lumbar degenerative disc disease.
Discs: Reason for Back Issues
What is a disc?
Your back bone, or spine, is made up of bones called vertebrae that are separated by discs. A disc is made up of a tough outer portion called the annulus fibrosus and a softer inner portion called the nucleus pulposus that is a gel like substance. The two parts that make up a disc help to evenly distribute pressure and force to act as a cushion. There is no blood supply which means that the disc cannot repair itself.
Read full blogGet Rid of Neck Discomfort and Pain Today!
It is no surprise that we have all probably experienced neck pain at some point in our lives. With the high prevalence of desk jobs, the influx of cell phone use, computer use and video gaming, as well as time spent relaxing in front of the TV, our posture certainly suffers more often than we realize. Over time, these repetitive tasks put us into a position called forward head posture, in which our head and neck protrude forward into a flexed position.
Read full blogWhat’s the point of a disc?
By Kieran Loving, ATC
Between each vertebral body is a cushion called an intervertebral disc. Each disc absorbs the stress and shock the body incurs during movement and prevents the vertebrae from grinding against one another. The intervertebral discs are the largest structures in the body without a blood supply. So they are the ‘sneakers’ for your back. They absorb each and every step, jump or load that you place through your spine.