The Cause Of Herniated Disc Pain

Back pain is often the most debilitating pain you can experience, because it affects your entire body and restricts even the simplest movements. With back pain, bending down to tie a shoe can be excruciating. Reaching up for a glass on a top shelf can make you double over in pain. And even turning on the faucet can cause pain to shoot down your spine. One of the most common causes of back pain is known as a “slipped” disc. However, the term is a misnomer. What is actually happening in your back is something quite different.

A herniated disc is the correct term for the back problem often referred to as a “slipped” disc. A spinal disc is a soft organic cartilaginous material that sits between the vertebrae of the spine and acts as a cushion for movement, like a natural shock absorber. It keeps the body vertebrae from rubbing together. When the body is young, the material is soft and elastic, but as the body ages the discs become more rigid. The inner layer of the disc is filled with a mucoprotein material that has the consistency of jelly. Overexertion can cause the disc to tear and the jelly to bulge out, which is the cause of the extreme pain of the herniated disc. Fortunately, there are treatments for herniated discs that can help you restore your normal movement and pain levels. If you suspect you might have a herniated disc, talk to a doctor or chiropractor to see what can be done.