Damage to intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine is the source of pain for about 50% of people experiencing low back pain.
But what exactly is a herniated disc, and how does it become injured?
The spine consists of 24 blocky bones (vertebrae) stacked on top of each other in a flexible column that allows our body to move. Between each vertebra sits a soft, rubbery cushion made of cartilaginous fibres and hydrated proteins known as an intervertebral disc.
Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers for our spine, much like brake pads in a vehicle. Discs absorb the impact of numerous physical activities: running, bending over, sitting, jumping on a trampoline, and more. Intervertebral discs also absorb physical forces sustained in stationary positions like sitting at a football game or in front of a computer for long periods.
Intervertebral discs are located along the spine in our neck, mid back, and lower back. They also bend and twist with movements of the spine, allowing our bodies to be flexible.
How do they accomplish this? Intervertebral discs are shaped like jelly donuts with a tough, fibrous outer portion known as the annulus fibrosis and a soft, gel-like inner portion called the nucleus pulposus. This combination of a more rigid exterior and softer interior allows it to distribute the forces we encounter with our everyday activities and physical exertion – all because this bendable disc absorbs the forces of physics.
How does injury to Intervertebral Discs happen?
Imagine dropping a jelly doughnut onto the sidewalk and stepping on it.
The term “slipped disc,” more accurately known as a bulging or herniated disc, refers to some damage that has occurred to either the annulus fibrosis, the nucleus pulposus, or both.
The damage can be minor – think of a small paper cut that heals just fine on its own. Sometimes, the outer portion of the intervertebral disc tears, resulting in large bulges in the annulus fibrosis. If the tearing and damage to the annulus fibrosis are extensive, the nucleus pulposus may leak out.
Damage to this tough exterior of the intervertebral disc can also irritate the nerves on the outer third of the annulus fibrosis, causing pain and other sequelae to occur.
Compromise to the disc structure is commonly thought to occur from accidents or traumas, but this isn’t always the case. Although injuries from traumatic accidents like sporting injuries, vehicle collisions, or slips and falls can cause damage to the disc, degeneration or accumulated wear and tear on the body can also cause discs to become more susceptible to injury and damage! Sometimes degeneration occurs from age, but it also can occur naturally.
Thankfully, the rubbery discs in our spine are a lot stronger than a jelly doughnut!
Although intervertebral discs can be injured, there may not be any symptoms. A disc injury may not always be painful or even result in pain or a loss of function.
If there is a disc bulge or herniation, surgery is not always necessary to relieve the problem, either. Why is this?
Disc bulges can occur naturally in the body without producing any signs or symptoms that they exist.
It’s when signs and symptoms, such as pain and a decreased ability to perform regular activities, may indicate the need for some intervention.
The Mechanism of a Disc Herniation
The vertebrae and intervertebral discs of the spine surround and protect the spinal cord: the information highway connecting the brain to the nerves in the body. The nerves exiting the spinal cord travel outward, innervating both the left and right sides of our bodies.
Injury to a disc can create a bulge that pinches one of the nerves exiting the spinal cord. This is known as nerve impingement. Signs and symptoms depend on where the disc is located and whether the disc bulge or injury is pressing on a nerve.
If this is the case, depending on where the pinched nerve is in the spine, it can result in pain, weakness, or odd sensations called paresthesia in an arm or leg!
Signs of a disc herniation causing nerve impingement include:
- Arm or leg pain. If pain is left in the upper or lower extremities, it is usually only on one side.
- A disc herniation in the neck may cause pain and discomfort in the shoulder and arm.
- If the disc herniation is in the lower back, it may cause pain and discomfort along the beltline, thigh, and even into the foot.
- This pain can feel sharp or shooting when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions.
- Weakness. A disc herniation may pinch the nerve, resulting in muscles controlled by the nerve becoming weaker.
- Paresthesia. This may feel like tingling, numbness, strange sensations, or even ants crawling on the skin. The areas of the body that experience these symptoms are often supplied by the nerve being impinged.
Increasing the Risk of a Disc Herniation
Certain conditions increase the risk of developing disc herniations and disc injury. These are:
- Weight. Obesity and excess body weight places additional stress on the discs, primarily in the lower back.
- Occupation. People with labor-intensive jobs have a greater risk of developing back problems. This includes repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, twisting, bending at the waist, and leaning from side to side.
- Genetics. Some people inherit a predisposition to developing a disc herniation.
- Smoking. Smoking decreases the oxygen supply to the disc, causing the cartilaginous fibers to break down more quickly.
What Should You Do if You Suspect a Disc Herniation
Because the nature of this injury is mechanical, which means it occurs in relation to the muscles, joints, and bones of the body, addressing the musculoskeletal components and making changes to overall bodily movement becomes an imperative part of an effective treatment plan.
This isn’t to say a person with a disc herniation needs to stop all activities and engage in bed rest. This could be an undesirable course of action.
Management of a disc herniation will depend on whether the condition is acute (sudden onset) or chronic (repeatedly occurring over time). It will also depend on the severity of symptoms and the size of the injury to the disc.
Thankfully, with the right interventions and tools, intervertebral discs can heal –although it can be slow.
How We Treat Disc Herniations
Our Chiropractic Care in Saskatoon takes a detailed history of your injury, followed by a functional movement assessment and examination.
A chiropractor is a trained doctor with the necessary educational background to analyze the body's physical movements and can be an asset in directing the course of care best for recovery. Chiropractors are well-equipped to assess, diagnose, and treat mechanical conditions — like disc herniations and pinched nerves — through gentle, conservative interventions that don’t include injections or surgery.
Treatment approaches may include isometric exercises, specific stretches and exercises for muscles and tendons of the affected spinal region, ice and rest, myofascial release (targeted soft tissue work into the muscles and fascia), peripheral nerve flossing, making ergonomic changes at work or home, and more.
Treating disc herniations and related conditions is right up our alley, and we have many methods to manage your care safely, effectively, and compassionately.
We may analyze your daily ergonomics and habits to determine if lifestyle or activity modifications are necessary and what those may include. We also prescribe sports rehab exercises and have other therapeutic modalities to safely and compassionately treat your elbow pain.
Your treatment plan is unique to you and your condition. We may use some approaches to help your disc herniation consisting of The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment, Neurodynamics, Rehabilitation Exercises, Chiropractic, and Physiotherapy.
Recent research shows that 97% of disc injuries can be managed by conservative care!
Those who have damaged the intervertebral discs may notice that their low back pain is worst first thing in the morning, and gets worse after sitting for long periods or bending forward. If you have injured one of the intervertebral discs in your neck, you may notice looking down increases your pain. If the injury to your disc continues to progress, it may result in sciatica type symptoms where you notice numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
If you are experiencing neck or low back pain, E3 Chiropractic + Wellness in Saskatoon is here to help! We will perform a thorough examination to determine if you have damaged an intervertebral disc and give you the tools you need to get free from pain so that your body performs and feels better than you ever thought possible.