Slipped Discs

What is a Slipped Disc?

Slipped Discs are more properly called Prolapsed Discs. The discs are the shock absorbers between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. They consist of a tough, fibrous outer coat and a softer gel-like substance on the inside. What happens is that the outer fibres tear and allow the nucleus to protrude. They are popularly called ‘Slipped Discs’ although they do not really slip.

Why is it so painful?

If you are unlucky the protruding disc material will touch one of the nerves coming out from the spinal cord, sending pain down the leg. It is not the physical pressure on the nerve which causes most of the pain but the body’s reaction, that is both inflammation and also your own immune system attacking the disc material because it is unfamiliar.

What causes it?

Either a severe trauma, for example a car accident or a twisting while lifting injury. However, many patients will visit the clinic saying, “All I did was bend down to open the drawer and this happened.” The truth is that back injuries do not occur through such simple activities. It is often a build up of small traumas usually caused by our lifestyle that causes the problem. Bending over to open the drawer was just the ‘straw that broke the camels back’, so to speak. This is why prevention is so important for our long term health.

How do you know if you have a prolapsed disc?

You may experience very severe unrelenting pain in the back and down the leg. This can be dramatically worse with coughing and sneezing. Another sign is the inability to raise a straight leg when lying flat on one’s back.

Is there any treatment?

Chiropractic

An extremely effective form of treatment for back pain. Chiropractors are trained to take and read X-rays which are often very useful in the diagnosis process and help the patient to understand the problem. Usually the Doctor of Chiropractic will consult with you and give you a through examination. They may also take X-rays if it is deemed necessary. Once the Doctor has studied your case they will report back to you giving you a thorough understanding of what has happened and what can be done to restore you back to proper health.

Acupuncture

This uses the Chinese model of how the body works in order to bring about pain relief. The needles look painful but usually are not and many people get good results with Acupuncture.

Surgery

Very invasive and risky but sometimes the only answer. The most severe cases, fortunately a small minority, can cause other problems such as incontinence. It is recommended that you try other methods before you opt for the surgical route.

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts:

DO

• Use a hot water bottle CAUTIOUSLY if it feels soothing
• Sleep on a firm mattress
• Seek specialist treatment as soon as possible

DON’T

• Lay in bed for long extended periods
• Exceed the recommended dose of painkillers
• Lift anything heavy, especially while twisting