The Disc and Spinal Pain

      Today, researrchers are in general agreement that disc lesions are the single most common cause of lower back pain. What is the disc lesion?

Disc Protrusion and Prolapse

      Surprisingly, the disc may start showing signs of wear and tear as early as 15 years old. Over the years, the disc loses a little fluid and small cracks (lesions) begin to form in the outer walls. The nucleus pulposus begins to bulge and push the annular fibrosus out of shape. This is called a protrusion. If the part bulges out too much, it may actually separate from the rest of the disc and become a disc prolapse.

      If the prolapsed disc goes into the spinal cord or puts extreme pressure on the nerves, it may cause severe pain that could make sitting, standing, walking, lifting, urinating, defecating, sneezing, coughing and moving nearly impossible. In extreme cases, numbness of the leg or foot or a loss of muscular control may occur.

Slipped Disc?

      There is no such condition as "Slipped Disc". Spinal discs CANNOT SLIP— it is knitted into the vertebrae from both above and below. What sometimes do slip are the vertebrae, which if they do slip out of position may put pressure upon the disc and contribute to its damage. The more accurate terms for this would be "slipped vertebrae" or "disc prolapse".

Organic Disease

      Disc degeneration often damages the lumbar and sacral nerves of the lower spine. Because of the various conditions in the pelvic area may occur. Among these are endometriosis, infections (bladder, vaginal, kidney), prostate problems, miscarriage, sterility, sexual impotence, problems of urinary retention, cystitis, mentrual cramps and constipation. It is not uncommon for an individual who has a chronic back problem to suffer from one or more of the above problems as well.