Spinal Disc Herniation

Your spinal discs are one of the hardest working parts of your body. These small structures sit snugly between every vertebrae in your spine and give it stability, while buffering the stress of every shift your spine makes. Disc herniation is often incorrectly referred to as a “slipped disc.” Discs do not slip. Discs are built to withstand constant movement and pressure. They are very strongly tethered to the vertebrae above and below them. With abnormal demands placed on them they dry out and can become misshapen and less able to do the job they were designed for. A damaged disc will thin, stretch, bulge or split, but they do not slide or slip out of place. When we refer to disc herniation, we are talking about serious damage to the disc’s structure.

Spinal disc herniation is caused by excessive demands on the disc over time. Tissues cannot keep pace with the abnormal wear and tear. Age does contribute towards discs losing some of their flexibility and resilience. However, the ageing process alone will not create disc herniation. The intervertebral discs are designed to be rugged. Over the course of the day they enable the demands of every move your spine makes, whether sitting, standing or lying down. At the end of the day you are slightly shorter than you are at the beginning. This is because over that time, your discs have become compressed from the weight placed on them and they dry out a little. Overnight your discs rehydrate and regain their height, ready for the next day’s activities. Lumbar disc problems are common as the lowest discs bear the heaviest load.

Spinal Disc Diagram

The intervertebral discs are joints which are capable of allowing movement in any direction your spine goes. As you move, the surrounding vertebrae compress the disc and it flattens and bulges a little, acting like a shock absorber that stops the vertebrae from grinding or bumping together. Discs are not cartilage. They are made up of an outer ring (similar to a car tyre) made up of a tough fibrous tissue named the annulus fibrosis and a soft, pulpy inner mass which is like jelly. This pressurised, cushioning centre is called the nucleus pulposus. It is the part of the disc which bears the load. Like cartilage, as your discs move, waste products are flushed out of them and nutrients are cycled back in to keep your discs hydrated and healthy. This is another reason why moderate exercise and activity is so essential to maintain back health. If your discs sit in one position for a long period of time (eg. sitting at a desk or long distance driving) without being able to move and refresh themselves, they deplete and wear faster and become liable to herniate. Excessive wear and tear from incorrect lifting greatly adds to that wear and accelerates you towards serious disc damage.

Symptoms of disc herniation depend on what part of the spine the herniation has occurred in, whether the nerves exiting the spine near the disc are affected and how badly the disc is damaged. They may vary from a back ache, to deep muscle pain, spasms or pain, numbness and weakness in an arm, leg, shoulders or across your chest. Sciatica pain is caused by lumbar disc herniation and travels through your buttocks down a leg to the ankle or foot. Where there is compression on a spinal nerve because of a herniated disc, the pain will travel a specific path. It may occur suddenly, vary in severity from day to day and may be relieved when you move your spine in a way that takes pressure off the disc affected.

In a minority of cases the nerves which lead to the bowel and bladder can be affected and you can experience loss of function in these areas. This is rare, but if you are showing any symptoms of loss of those bodily functions, you need to get medical help immediately.

Problems with discs can sometimes rectify as the body heals itself. Not every damaged disc produces crippling pain or requires surgical intervention. The best course of action, as always, is prevention. Being aware of the load you place on your spinal structures and taking action to reduce the risks of moving the wrong way, will help your body regenerate itself and stay flexible and pain free.

Paying attention to the way you lift is critical in ensuring you maintain optimal spinal health. Remember the Lift Smart message:

Think a bit. Can I do this more easily, or in a better position?
Do I need a mate? Should I ask someone to help me?
Bend your knees.
Keep it straight. Make sure you keep your lower back as straight as you can when you lift, with your knees becoming straighter as you go up.

The black and white illustrations used in this article have been adapted from the original source, “Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body” by Henry Gray. This edition was published in 1918 in by Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia. Copyright is now Public Domain.

Site Use: Terms and Conditions