05/03/2024
S T A G E S O F D I S C H E R N I A T I O N : The spine is made up of vertebra and intervertebral discs in-between each of these vertebrae.
The discs act as shock and load absorbers for your spine. The disc is composed of a soft inner core, the ‘nucleus pulposis,’ which is surrounded by outer layers of cartilage, the ‘annulus fibrosis.’
At a young age the discs are filled with more water content and are more flexible. With the normal aging process, the discs become less flexible and the space between the discs reduces and puts a person at a higher risk of injury.
The disc can become slightly compressed or flattened, causing the outer fibrous portion to bulge into the spinal canal. A herniation can occur if there is a hole in the outer portion allowing part of the inner portion to escape or when the outer portion becomes really thin and stretched that a large piece of the inner portion moves into the spinal canal. Any nearby nerves may become compressed or irritated.
