Spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint losses its normal motion and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc deteriorates.

Like a wet sponge, a healthy dics is flexible. A dry sponge is hard, stiff, and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebra above and below it, a disc cannot "slip" as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause disc to buldge, herniate, or worse rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, often interfering with their functions

Though discs do not slip they do tear, buldge, herniate, prolapse and dessicate.

Disc Tear

• The most common disc injury is a small crack or microtear in the tough, outer cartilage material of the disc called annular fibers. This allows the fluid to start leaking out, and the disc begins to wear thin.

Bulging Disc

• The soft jelly-like material in the middle of the disc pushed to one side, forward or backward, and swelling occurs. The nucleus is still contained within the tough outer fibers of the disc, but can still cause pressure and painful symptoms.

Herniated Disc

• The soft jelly-like material from the nucleus in the middle of the disc ruptures through the tough, outer fibers and extends to the outer edge or beyond the normal limits of the disc.

Prolapsed Disc

• A piece of disc material seperates away and becomes a fragment or a free-floating piece

Dessicated Disc

• The disc loses its fluid content and degenerates down to a rough, worn-down or worn-out appearance. This occurs as the bones begin to fuse to each other.

Chiropractic physician at our clinics are expersts at manual traction to reduce or eliminate disc related problem.

Dr. Patel performing a manual traction to relief disc related pain.