Spinal Decompression Aids Herniated Discs
Article Source: HealthSnare.com
One of the more common and serious causes of back pain is a slipped or herniated disc. In truth, discs in your back can't "slip" but Dr. David Nygaard, founder of Atlas Family Chiropractic in Asheville, North Carolina explains that they can bulge or protrude or become wedged or herniated. "A herniated disc is the displacement of the center of the vertebral disc through a crack in its outer layer, the annulus fibrosis. Disc herniation can put pressure on the nerves causing irritation, inflammation and pain."
What is a Spinal Disc?
A common misconception is that the discs in question are vertebrae. Dr. Nygaard explains that the discs are made of a hyaline cartilage and are located between the bones of the spinal column. The discs also create proper separation between the spinal vertebra allowing nerves to exit the spinal canal.
Dr. Nygaard elaborates, "Think of the disc as jelly filled o rings. Each spinal disc has a jelly-like "ball bearing" core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give your back flexibility that allow for normal turning and bending. Trauma caused by things like repetitive motion, poor posture, improper lifting, slips, falls and car accidents can cause the spine to shift, compromising the discs."
Disc Trauma and Pain
A herniation is where the disc becomes wedged between vertebra and narrows nerve openings. Symptoms may not be immediately present but as nerves become compromised pain and other nerve problems can develop. Dr. Nygaard talks about nerve root pain.
"When someone has a herniated disc, it's not necessarily the disc that is causing pain, although discs do have nerve innervations and the capacity to become inflamed and painful When nerves become irritated they communicate pain signals to the central nervous system. This can cause what's known as radicular or "nerve root" pain, compromised nerves in the spine that lead to other parts of the body can cause pain in the lower back, neck legs and arms."
Discs can become herniated in the neck, upper or lower spine. Lower back herniations are most prevalent as the lower back supports more weight and deals with most of the twisting and force applied in daily movement.
Other disc problems include protrusions and prolapses. "A protrusion is like a blister," explains Dr. Nygaard. "The disc bulges at its weakest point and causes nerve pressure. The most serious disc problem is a prolapsed disc where the soft center ruptures and leaks. With the disc compromised by rupture, the spine doesn't receive the cushioning and separation it needs to function normally and movement can become very painful."
Symptoms associated with disc problems include: weakness or pain in one or both legs, numbness or tingling in the extremities, burning pain in the lower back and in severe cases, loss of bladder or bowel control.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment option designed to treat the cause of the troubled disc, not just its symptoms. Based on the principal that proper alignment of the spine will allow the disc and surrounding nerves to heal, spinal decompression relieves pressure from the disc allowing it and the nerves to function properly.
"One of the most amazing things about spinal decompression is that research has shown that non-surgical spinal decompression can create a negative pressure within the disc causing a ‘vacuum effect,'" explains Dr. Nygaard. This vacuum effect can suck the disc material back inside its normal position reducing the size of the herniation, thus relieving the pressure from the nerves.
Spinal decompression is used to slowly and gently distract or open up the spine. This allows damaged and dehydrated discs to be restored as nutrients and water that has been lost due to trauma are replaced naturally. Bulging discs are reduced and even herniated disc material subsides. For most patients suffering from lower back pain the process is painless.
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Date: Thu, 15 Jul 2010 Time: 1:44 AM
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