Does Chiropractic Care help your Discs?
What are Discs and what purpose do they serve?
Inter-vertebral discs are the spongy cushions between your vertebrae that play a crucial role in maintaining spinal flexibility and absorbing shock as we go about our everyday lives. Along with the curves in your spine, the discs allow your spine to act like a spring. But with injury, age, poor posture, poor nutrition, and environmental toxins, discs can deteriorate, leading to pain, nerve impingement, and limited mobility. This limits the ability of muscles to function freely and interferes with the free flow of nerve information to and from the brain.
A large portion of the disc structure is composed of water and the molecules that water clings to and those that contain that water in one place. The health of the disc therefore is dependent on the discs ability to absorb water overnight as we rest, and then to minimize water loss throughout the day as we weight-bear going about everyday lives.
Injury to the spine can affect any one of the 3 primary components that make up the disc – the outer fibrous layers, the inner gelatinous ball, or the end-plate which serves as a bridge between the bony vertebra and the centre of the disc. The outer fibrous layers are arranged in concentric layers tightly winding around the gelatinous ball in the middle. It is this centre gelatinous ball upon which weight from your body and your activities is absorbed by the spine. The end-plate is where the centre of the disc gets nutrients and oxygen to maintain its health, and where metabolic waste is removed. So, all three components must work together to maintain functional integrity.
Can a Disc ‘Slip’?
It’s not an accurate description of an injured disc, but it can be simplified way of describing a bulging disc where the inner fibrous layers of the disc become weakened, and the central gelatinous nucleus pushes out close to the nerve roots and spinal cord.
As chiropractors these ‘slipped’ discs are manageable through specific targeted adjustments and a structured rehabilitation programme.
Causes of disc injuries
Injuries that can affect the discs include many of the following:
⦁ Sports impacts: Collision sports, running on hard surfaces for long distances, weightlifting, and racquet ball sports are all known to negatively affect discs. Footballers who header the ball a lot place a lot of extra stress on their neck and the discs leading to pain, stiffness and potentially degeneration.
⦁ Lifting incorrectly: Everyone has seen the posters telling us to bend our knees when picking up something from the ground. The back or posterior aspect of the disc is most vulnerable to stresses, which is where discs most commonly bulge.
⦁ Bending and turning simultaneously: Bending and twisting either to pick something up or to put something down, or even turning and twisting to buckle your child into their car seat all affect your discs.
⦁ Motor vehicle accidents: Depending on the direction and the speed of the impact, discs in your neck, upper back and in the lower back are all vulnerable to injury.
⦁ Sitting too long in one position: The discs of your spine like movement as this allows fluid to get in and out which is vital to maintain a healthy environment and to prevent degenerative changes. Those office workers who sit all day without moving are at risk more back pain than those who work in physically demanding jobs.
Disc injuries are rarely one-off events; they are usually an accumulation of stresses over a long period. Recognizing patterns of movement in your daily lives, understanding those that stress your discs and those that are disc friendly are important to maintaining disc health.
How Can Chiropractic Help?
Chiropractic care is great for ensuring normal movement is restored to the spine following injury by targeting adjustments to those dysfunctional segments and allowing better healing to take place.
Specific adjustments that target the troubled disc restore as close to normal function as possible, and from clinical experience, we have seen those who get their spines checked sooner have better outcomes, heal quicker, and have less recurrence of the same problem. Here are some of the potential benefits regular chiropractic can provide:
⦁ Improved Range of Motion: Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore proper joint alignment, potentially reducing stiffness and increasing flexibility in the spine. This can take pressure off the discs, allowing them to function more effectively.
⦁ Pain Management: Studies suggest chiropractic adjustments can help manage pain associated with disc problems. By improving joint function, reducing inflammation, and stimulating normal muscle activity, chiropractic care offers a non-invasive approach to pain relief.
⦁ Disc Nutrition: Normal movement of the individual vertebrae is crucial to maintain adequate flow of nutrients into the disc and the removal of waste products. Most of the disc does not have a nerve supply or blood flow; Chiropractic adjustments restore movement and may indirectly improve blood flow to the surrounding tissues, aiding in nutrient delivery to the discs.
⦁ Preventative Maintenance: Regular chiropractic visits can help identify and address spinal issues before they escalate into more serious conditions. By maintaining spinal alignment and addressing imbalances early on, can prevent degenerative changes to discs.
Maintaining Healthy Discs
Here are some additional tips to promote disc health:
⦁ Maintain good posture: Maintain proper posture while sitting, standing, and lifting objects and avoid slouching. Use ergonomic furniture and equipment to support your spine's natural curvature. Avoid prolonged periods of sitting or standing in one position.
⦁ Swim: the buoyancy of water removes the pressure on your discs which allows them to absorb more water, decreasing the amount of stress being experienced at the joint.
⦁ Regular exercise strengthens the muscles supporting your spine: Incorporate activities that promote flexibility and mobility, such as yoga, Pilates, or tai chi. Avoid high-impact activities that put excessive strain on the spine, especially if you have existing disc issues.
⦁ Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts additional strain on your spine and can accelerate disc degeneration. Maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
⦁ Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to keep your intervertebral discs hydrated. Proper hydration is essential for maintaining the elasticity and shock-absorbing properties of the discs.
⦁ Avoid Smoking: Smoking has been linked to accelerated disc degeneration and impaired healing. Quit smoking or avoid starting altogether to protect the health of your discs and spine.
⦁ Practice Stress Management: Chronic stress can contribute to muscle tension and poor posture, which can strain the spine and discs. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness to promote relaxation and reduce tension in the spine. Increased levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) negatively affect the molecules that help bind water inside the disc.
⦁ Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to any signs or symptoms of disc-related issues, such as back pain, numbness, or tingling. Seek prompt attention if you experience persistent or severe symptoms, as early intervention can prevent further damage to the discs.
⦁ Chiropractic maintenance care: Regular visits to a chiropractor can help maintain proper spinal alignment and function. Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate pressure on the intervertebral discs and promote overall spinal health.
Conclusion:
Chiropractic care offers a safe and effective approach to promoting disc health and plays a crucial role in your overall spine health strategy. By improving joint mobility, managing pain, minimising inflammation, and promoting disc nutrition, it could contribute to a healthier and more functional spine. Maintaining the health of intervertebral discs is essential for a healthy spine and overall well-being.