One of the more
common problems of the lumbar spine is a herniated disc. The spine is made up
of a series of connected bones called "vertebrae." The disc is a
combination of strong connective tissues which hold one vertebra to the next
and acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. The disc is made of a tough outer
layer called the "annulus fibrosus" and a gel-like center called the
"nucleus pulposus." As you get older, the center of the disc may
start to lose water content, making the disc less effective as a cushion. As a
disc degenerates and breaks down, the inner core can leak out through the outer
portion of the disc, and this condition is known as a disc herniation through a
crack in the outer layer. Different terms may be used to describe a herniated disc.
A bulging disc
(protrusion) occurs when the disc annulus remains intact, but forms an out
pouching that can press against the nerves. A true herniated disc (also called
a ruptured or slipped disc) occurs when the disc annulus cracks or ruptures,
allowing the gel-filled center to squeeze out. Sometimes the herniation is so
severe that a free fragment occurs, meaning a piece has broken completely free
from the disc and is in the spinal canal. Most disc herniations occur in the
bottom two discs of the lumbar spine, at and just below the waist. There are
several stages of a herniated lumbar disc spine. Over time, due to wear and
tear of the spine and due to age, the discs will naturally weaken. During this
stage, very minimal symptoms may be present such as periodic slight back pain.
The next stage usually results in a prolapsed disc whereas the shape or form of
the disc may have a bulge resulting from a slight impingement into the spinal
canal. If the gel-like nucleus pulposus actually breaks through the outer later
but remains inside the disc, an extrusion will occur. The final and most
serious stage is a sequestered disc which will occur when the nucleus ruptures
and breaks essentially spilling the substance into the spinal canal.
Lower Back Lumbar
disc herniations
The goals of
nonsurgical treatment are to reduce the irritation of the nerve and disc and to
improve the physical condition of the patient to protect the spine and increase
overall function. This can be accomplished in the majority of herniated disc
patients with an organized care program that combines a number of treatment
methods. A Spinal Decompression Therapy involves stretching the spine, using a
traction table or similar motorized device, with the goal of relieving back
pain and/or leg pain. This procedure is called non-surgical decompression
therapy (as opposed to surgical spinal decompression, such as laminectomy and
microdiscectomy). Spinal decompression devices use the same basic principle of
spinal traction that has been offered by chiropractors, osteopaths, and other
appropriately trained health professionals for many years.
It is a type of
traction therapy applied to the spine in an attempt to bring about several
theoretical benefits including: Create a negative intradiscal pressure to promote
retraction or repositioning of the herniated or bulging disc material.
Nonsurgical spinal decompression is a type of motorized traction that may help
relieve back pain. Spinal decompression works by gently stretching spine. That
changes the force and position of the spine. This change takes pressure off the
spinal disks, which are gel-like cushions between the bones in your spine, by
creating negative pressure in the disc. As a result, bulging or herniated disks
may retract, taking pressure off nerves and other structures in your spine.
This in turn, helps promote movement of water, oxygen, and nutrient-rich fluids
into the disks so they can heal.
