What is a Disc? What does a Disc do?

The disc is a soft cartilaginous material that separates the spinal vertebrae. We have Discs starting at the third cervical all the way down to the lowest Lumbar vertebrae L 5. The Discs middle is called the nucleus and outer layer called the annulus. These discs act as shock absorbers and these discs, after we are done growing (usually around 19 years old), become avascular (does not receive a good blood supply). One of the reasons that our discs give us so many problems is that it does not heal well without a good blood supply. When we break a bone it heals quickly and actually stronger than before! Our discs are avascular so if a disc is injured it continues to degenerate and does not heal properly. One of the amazing benefits of decompression is that it heightens the disc space, and is seen to return it to normal size and function.

The Decompression therapy also causes the disc to heal because the treatment stimulates the cartilage to regenerate and act it cannot do on its own without the decompression treatment. Spinal Decompression also causes the nutrient rich blood to fill the disc space which fosters the healing response

Bulging Disc:

To really understand what a Bulging disc I will discuss the classifications to describe the disc lesions because there is a plethora of terms commonly encountered like Disc Prolapse, Slipped Disc, ruptured disc, and disk herniation. The term Disc Herniation implies that a rupture or a tear of the annular fibers occurs allowing the migration of nuclear material beyond the vertebral margin. The nuclear material may protrude out and cause a distention of the outer annulus fibrosis or rupture through the annulus and extrude behind the posterior ligament.

Four classifications exist to describe disc lesions: The annular bulge or Disc bulge is a small disc herniation that does not directly contact the nerve root and left untreated can easily progress to a larger degree of nuclear protrusion because of the loss of the annular fibers to contain the nucleus. Degeneration will predispose annular fibers to failure following trauma. Disc Protrusion (Herniation) A Disc herniation represents a rupture of nuclear material through a defect in annulus, producing a focal extension of the disc or a broad based extension of the disc margin. Intervertebral disc herniations result in some degree from central canal or foraminal occlusion. Disk Extrusion applies when a portion of the nucleus pulposus fibrocartilage and end plate cartilage have migrated through comprised outer annular fibers. Disc extrusions may compress the root, cord or both and can cause myeloradiculopathy( shooting pain). 4. Free disc Fragment (Sequestered Disc) refers to the extra-annular separation and migration of a piece of nuclear material. Cauda Equina syndrome are common with intradural migration. This is when you lose control of bowel and bladder function. This is an emergency situation and usually requires surgery to correct the problem. The most common area is the Lower Lumbar vertabre L5. The pressure causes the jelly material inside the disc to "bulge" or "slip" out of place .The bulge itself puts pressure on the nerves( usually the spinal nerve).The Spinal nerve is very sensitive even a small amount of pressure causes the nerve to dysfunction. The most common cervical disc to herniate is also the fifth and can cause cervicobrachial syndrome or symptoms like carpal tunnel syndrome or weakness in the arms or a burning sensation in the arms.