Slipped Discs and Osteopathy in Worthing
Patients often attend the practice with a belief that they have ‘slipped a disc’ or that the discs has popped out and needs to be popped back in by an Osteopathy in Worthing. Here we explore discs and why the term slipped disc is not exactly helpful.
What is spinal disc
The easiest way to imagine a disc is like a jam donut. We have the yeasty outer part (annulus), which is tough and the jammy middle bit (nucleus). The discs act as our cushions between the vertebrae and allow a wide range of movement.
At birth, discs are about 80% water, so this gives us an idea of the key need for a disc to maintain hydration. The jammy middle bit relies on this hydration for strength and pliability. Movement of the spine, alongside adequate nutrition and hydration, helps preserve this.
Discs are tough structures and withstand a lot of pressure placed upon them. They have thickened end plates. These allow discs to attach to the vertebrae above and below and are surrounded by supportive ligaments of the spine.
Slipped Discs
This supportive network means that ‘slipping’ is pretty impossible. It is also equally impossible therefore for a therapist to exert enough force on a disc to ‘pop it back’ into position in a treatment.
When patients request that we pop their discs back in, it is generally due to them having confused the clicking they have heard in a past treatment, which is due to the air bubble pop of joint fluid in spinal manipulation, to a disc being ‘put back’.
As a natural process of ageing, the discs will dehydrate more and become stiffer and less able to adjust to the compressive forces upon them.
What tends to happen to discs is the jam (nucleus) bulges into the yeast. In a prolapse the jam spills in to the yeast (annulus) but not beyond it and in a herniation the jam bulges beyond the yeast.
Both of these conditions can result in back pain and nerve pain. In a herniation, there may be greater pain, as the nuclear material is very irritant to nerves.
In younger adults, normally between 20-45, the discs are still quite hydrated and the jam is plump. It is at this age that disc herniations and prolapses are more common. These often occur as a result of a bend, twist, lift, cough or sneeze. Jobs which involve repetitive lifting and bending make this even more common.
In the older age groups from 50 onwards, these acute injuries become less common. The discs start to dehydrate, become thinner and we tend to experience greater symptoms from degenerative disc issues. This can also cause back pain and leg symptoms, often a result of the changes in the disc and vertebral joints ageing.
Disc Pain and Osteopathy treatment
Slipped disc osteopathy Worthing- help is at hand if you have a disc problem. There are many treatment options for disc pains and sciatica. It may also bring some comfort to know that less than 10% of patients with disc problems end up needing surgery.
Osteopathy is one treatment option which may provide relief. The principals of osteopathy focus on working on surrounding tissues, the muscles and joints, to ease pressure on the disc. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, improve flexibility and strength. This may involve techniques such as massage, articulation, manipulation and traction alongside exercise and lifestyle advice.
Acupuncture is another treatment modality which may help to ease back pain and assist general wellbeing.
Disc injury and Sciatica Worthing
At Broadwater Osteopaths we have a team of experienced Osteopaths on hand to help you back to recovery. Our team understand not only how debilitating back pain and disc injury can be, but also how frightening it is too. Our aim is to get patients seen as quickly as possible, to offer help guidance and not only ease immediate pains, but promote lasting improvements too.
We work closely as a team and have a diverse range of skill sets and expertise. Our knowledge of our team, allows us to cross refer to ensure you get the best therapist, suited to your needs. If we feel we cannot help you, we will refer you onwards for further opinion or imaging. We don’t block book our patient visits at the practice, but offer honest, reputable services at reasonable costs.
If you would like to book at appointment with the team, feel free to Book Online or call us on Worthing 820206. You can also email us any questions you may have ahead of your visit for the teams attention.
