2960 North State Rd. 7 | Suite 204 | Margate, FL 33063
The spinal column is composed of 24 vertebrae, each separated by a spongy, shock absorbing pad called an inter-vertebral disc (IVD). The disc serves two primary functions: It acts as a shock absorber to help protect the brain and spinal cord from the shock of daily activities such as walking, running, sitting, getting in/out of cars, etc. It also acts as a spacer and separates each pair of vertebrae, allowing for a hole on both sides of the spine called the inter-vertebral foramen or IVF through which a spinal nerve exits. Each disc
is constructed with a jelly like- core called the nucleus, and a tough fibrous outer shell called the annulus which helps to contain the gelatin inside. The disc functions as a ball bearing which allows twisting and bending movements of the trunk (upper body) in all directions. With age or trauma the fibers in the outer shell of the disc become weakened and allow the gelatin to push out where the wall of the outer shell is weakest, usually in the direction of the spinal cord or the spinal nerves. Once a disc has bulged or herniated it can create pressure on these delicate nerve structures, causing inflammation and pain. When this happens, the surrounding muscles of the spine tighten up to prevent further movement, and limit damage to the disc and nerve tissue.
Very often we hear patients tell us "I didn’t do anything" or "I just bent over to tie my shoes and I couldn’t straighten up". Discs can become herniated in response to trauma such as falling down stairs, lifting a heavy box, or an automobile accident, or they can become damaged from years of neglect of the spine, micro trauma repeated over long periods of time, and pressure from vertebrae which have remained misaligned and out of place causing weakening of the fibrous outer layer. If left untreated, a herniated disc may cause permanent nerve damage which will produce changes in sensation and weakening of the muscles served by that nerve.
At Northwest Wellness Center we have special equipment designed to treat herniated and bulging discs and a complete physical therapy and rehabilitation department to get you back on track fast.
