Healthy Living
The Truth About Disc Injuries
By Drs. Ryan and Jacqueline Smith
Mar 12, 2007 - 6:52:07 AM

“All I did was bend over to pick up my keys and I couldn’t stand up. It came out of nowhere!” As doctors of chiropractic, we hear this and similar scenarios frequently. The truth is for most sufferers of back pain it’s been coming on for years.

We spend a good amount of time educating our patients. The goal of this article is to enlighten you as to the mechanisms of disc injury and the possibility of predictable regeneration of injured discs.

First, let me explain that the disc is a ligament and early in life it loses its direct blood supply. From that point on the health of the spinal discs is dependent on proper alignment and movement of the spinal bones above and below each disc. As we move and bend we force nutrients into the disc and toxins out. Thus, ideal posture with full and frequent ranges of motion, leads to healthy discs. Bad posture with infrequent motion leads to increased disc degeneration, tears, bulges, herniations and pain.

Additionally, lack of motion leads to less nutrient flow in and out of the discs causing them to dehydrate, shrink and become weakened. Many years of improper technique while bending, lifting, pushing and pulling and the daily assault of the common “slouched posture” leads to increased stress on the spine, nervous system and discs of the neck and lower back.

Abnormal and bad posture puts irregular stress in the wrong parts of our spine and increases the decay and degeneration of our spine, discs and overall health. In this weakened state, the discs are susceptible to injury by even the easiest of motions, like bending over to pick up the keys.

The most common way our discs get injured is by daily wear and tear amplified by poor posture and lack of motion in our spines. The second and less frequent way discs are injured is by some kind of sudden trauma that exceeds the strength of the discs causing them to tear. Examples include sports injuries, slips and falls and car accidents.

Treatments of disc injuries range from conservative chiropractic adjustments, decompression therapy and physical therapy to more aggressive treatments such as muscle-relaxant and anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, disc surgeries and spinal fusion surgeries. It is our belief to exhaust the most conservative methods first before opting for more aggressive treatments.

Decompression therapy has been very successful in helping individuals control their pain. It involves intervals of traction and relaxation to the spine and discs over a period of time. But from our experience if you do not address and correct the alignment of the spine as well, the patient will have a similar episode at some point in the future.

Our combination of spinal decompression therapy with unique chiropractic and rehabilitation procedures ends the crisis of pain and suffering. In addition, it leads to the rehydration of the discs, corrects poor spinal alignment improves ranges of motion and leads to a healthier and “younger” spine.

The procedures in our office are only used by a small number of doctors across the nation. These procedures relieve stress and tension in the neck while re-energizing the body and metabolism. Also, they strengthen and add flexibility to the back and reverse the aging process. Additional treatments in our office improve balance, correct poor posture and spinal alignment as well as strengthen and add flexibility to the back, relieve muscle spasm and initiate the healing process of the body.

The information in this article is for information purposes only. An examination must be performed to determine appropriate care protocols for each individual. We welcome your questions and offer a complementary consultation to discuss your options. Chelsey, our receptionist will be glad to find a convenient time for you to come in and tour our facility. Please call our office at 727-785-6771. You can visit our website for Decompression at Healthydisc.LCDTHERAPY.COM.

Drs. Ryan and Jacqueline Smith have seventeen years of combined experience in the chiropractic field and have advanced training in scoliosis, spinal correction and disc herniations. Their office, Active Family Chiropractic, is located in Palm Harbor, FL, on the northwest corner of US 19 North and Tampa Road in the Pet Supermarket and Leslie Pools plaza.