WITHOUT fail, increasingly, many primary care physicians are too quickly and commonly diagnosing “slipped discs”. This is completely incorrect at worst; and, at best, is a common misnomer.

You see, discs do not “slip”. Discs are composed of very strong, elastic material and they are firmly attached to the vertebrae of the spine — both above and below. If the design were flawed to the point where these structures “slipped”, we would all be walking around like unstable, limp noodles at best, and in excruciating and debilitating pain at worst. In fact, a human being would not be able to withstand the forces it would require to separate a disc from the surrounding vertebrae.

Of course, barring severe trauma and congenital deformities or structural abnormalities, this is far from the case in the far too common diagnosis of “slipped disc”.

In reality, the disc of the human spine is so strong that basically when receiving forces in the intended vectors (axial-upright walking) the disc can remain intact even when the force is significant enough to cause compression fractures to the bones of the vertebrae. These are not merely structures that are so fragile and unstable that they can randomly “slip” in and out of position.

What happens is the actual bones are forced out of position without luxation or dislocation occurring (called a subluxation by the chiropractor) and the discs travel with them, remaining intact in relation to the bones, but perhaps strained or stretched or even ruptured.

However, more specifically, the damage to the disc itself usually involves becoming herniated. This is where the annular (outer ring) fibres have torn and the liquid (water/gel/nucleus) substance within the disc is allowed to migrate into a balloon like deformation. One of the places this material can migrate is into the pseudo-foraminal openings utilised by the nerve roots where they exit the spine and then traverse the body. Where this herniation occurs is directly proportional to the pain and discomfort that you may experience, if any at all, in immediate and related areas. It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of people walk around with asymptomatic disc herniations. And size does not always matter proportionally, as does location. If the herniation is putting pressure on your spinal cord or its nerve roots, then you will have problems that could progress to debilitating. The chiropractic adjustment can ensure that the bones are aligned properly, providing the most space for the nerves with or without a herniation present.

Also, be very aware that just because you may have a disc herniation proven by objective, subjective and diagnostic/clinical means, does not automatically determine the herniation is the cause of your pain. This is extremely important because it can save you the agony and dangers of unnecessary over medication, and invasive surgical procedures. I will let you in a little secret that is largely concealed from the average person. Discs do not have a blood supply, or a nerve supply. They are basically inanimate rubbery sacs of fluid. Shock absorbers and spacers in human form, if you will. Therefore, if you have damage to a disc, whether it be a herniation or even destruction, it cannot be painful in and of itself. Theoretically, one could completely destroy one’s disc without the indicator of pain as long as vascular and neurological structures remained unaffected and bone is not grinding on bone. As stated previously, the extent of the symptoms one experiences is largely and primarily dependent upon where the herniation presents and what structures (neurological/vascular) it impedes.

Furthermore, it is also incorrect to believe that a disc herniation has to be caused by extreme force. This is possible, but it is more a matter of how the injury occurs. If you increase intrathecal pressure with the spine and disc (by flexing forward) and add even the slightest amount of twist, the annual fibres can easily tear and rip. I have had people of different genders present to me with disc herniations that were caused by simply lifting a pie out of the oven, or bending over to pick up a newspaper in the driveway. What they had in common was their mechanism of injury based upon the combination movement stresses of flexion and rotation. So much for the theory that humans walked on all fours at one time. If that were true, then we never would have made it to standing upright because the design of the annular fibres of the human discs were simply never intended to withstand the forces that type of ambulation with which they would be subjected.

An estimated 75-85 per cent of humans will experience back pain at some time in their life, and most cases are mechanical (or functional) in nature, meaning the pain is not due to a serious medical condition such as inflammatory arthritis, structural problems or fractures.

At least 50 per cent of all working adults say they have or have had back pain, and it’s one of the most common reasons for missed work globally.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, Americans spend at least $50 billion annually on conventional medical back pain treatments, and are often left feeling even more confused and frustrated about their problem.

Don’t allow your condition to be “slipped” by. Get to a competent chiropractor and put the motion back in your ocean.

Don’t forget to “Ask Your Chiropractor” every week where your questions may be published and answered in subsequent articles. Address questions to: Dr Chris Davis, the Spinal Mechanic at movethebone@gmail.com; or, Dr Michael Harvey, director, at dr.michael_harvey@yahoo.com