Herniated/Bulging Disc

Definition: When the outer fibers of the disc tear allowing the center of the disc to press against the spinal cord or nerves.

The Discs Of The Spine

Your spinal column is a dynamic moving structure that must not only allow you to bend, lift and twist but it must also support your trunk (upper body), as well. This is accomplished by having a hard bony structure called vertebrae and soft tissue structures called discs. The vertebra are the support sturctures and the discs act as a cushion between the vertebra to absorb the stresses we put on our spine, much like a shock absorber in a car. The intervertebral discs make up 1/4 of the spine's overall length.

Between the vertebra exits a nerve, through an opening known as the neural foramen. This nerve is protected from getting pinched by the intervertebral disc, "Inter"-meaning between "vertebral"-bones of the spine. If the neural foramen becomes smaller because of a herniated/bulged disc, this can place unnecessary pressure on the exiting spinal nerve. This often results in pain, tingling and numbness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The disc is a fluid-filled structure that is made up of 2 separate materials: the cartilaginous outside called the annulus and the jelly-like center called the nucleus. The disc is attached to the vertebra above and below through the annulus.

The annulus is an interwoven mesh of connective tissue that binds 2 vertebrae together it also hold the nucleus (jelly-like center) in the middle of the disc. When the annulus tears it allows the nucleus to migrate toward the spinal column, commonly called a bulge/herniation.

The nucleus is the center of the disc, it is the greatest water containing structure in the spine. It is composed of water, oxygen, and Proteoglycan (PG). The PG is important because it attracts and retains water. This helps the vertebra resist compression and absorb the load of the spine when doing things such as walking, lifting, performing daily activities, etc. If too much pressure is exerted on the nucleus it can tear through the annulus and place pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. If the nucleus loses water it degenerates (dries out) and becomes thinner. This thinning of the disc can place pressure on a nerve that results in pain, swelling and inflammation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Causes Of A Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is caused by wear and tear. It can be a gradual process that takes years to develop or it can also be caused by acute injury such as incorrect lifting or twisting, a car accident, or trauma. Other factors that can lead to a herniated disc include tobacco use, lack of regular exercise and poor nutritional diet.

The pain of a herniated disc results when the nucleus tears through the annulus and begins to crowd the nerve putting pressure on it. This compresses the nerve and surrounding tissues resulting in pain, imflammation, tingling and numbness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc

Nerves conduct electrical energy that contain messages from the brain. When the nerves become compressed the signals from the brain do not reach their intended target. Sometimes an abnormal signal reaches the nerve resulting in a loss or increase in sensation. Common symptoms of a herniated/bulged disc are electric shock pain, tingling & numbness, muscle weakness.

Electric Shock Pain This is caused when pressure on a nerve causes increased sensations. If the pain is down your arms the problem is in your neck. If the problem is in your low back the pain will usually shoot down the legs.

Tingling & Numbness This happens when there is a loss of senastion in the nerve. This conditions happens in the arms if your problem is your neck and in your legs if the problem is in your low back. It can be a constant problem or happen as a result of body position; meaning if you sit too long or sleep in an awkward position it makes the symptoms worse.

Muscle Weakness Nerves control muscle function. If there is pressure on the nerves in the spine this can affect the ability of the muscle to provide a proper contraction. This is because the signal from the brain to the nerve is not reaching its intended target.

 

Non-Surgical Treatment Using the DRX9000 To Treat Herniated & Bulging Discs

Non-Surgical Spinal Disc Decompression provides relief to severe back and neck pain sufferers by gently reducing the pressure within spinal discs. The bones of the spine are slowly and methodically separated using the DRX9000 Spinal Decompression equipment. As the vertebrae are separated pressure is slowly reduced within the disc (intradiscal pressure) until a vacuum is formed. This vacuum “sucks” the gelatinous center of the disc back into the disc thereby reducing the Herniated Disc. Significant disc herniation reduction removes pressure off the spinal nerves to reduce pain and disability. This “sucking” vacuum also pulls much-needed oxygen and nutrients into injured and degenerated discs allowing the healing to begin.

The treatment motion is computer controlled to provide gentle and painless decompression of the injured spinal discs. Advanced DRX9000 decompression techniques separate slowly and cycle between brief moments of pulling and relaxing (oscillation). The DRX9000 decompression technology can be used to target specific discs of the spine (for example: L5/S1 at the base of the spine). The precise treatment allows the DRX9000 to decompress the specific source of the problem (using less decompressive force to focus on a single spinal segment) to rehabilitate individual spinal discs.

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