Article
Eighty percent of Americans are afflicted with back pain, most of which is absoutely unnessecarry. Very often people either assume or are told that they have a "Disc Problem" and from that point on they have definiton of their problem, but no real understanding of what it is, how it happened, or if there is help. I would like to take some time to explain and uncover the mystery behind Vertebral Disc and problems they may cause.
First, it is important to have a basic understanding of the human spine. The spine is composed of individual vertebrae stacked one on top of the other like blocks and between each vertebrae, connecting it to the other is a disc. Behind the disc and in the center of the vertebrae there are holes that form a long tunnel that runs the full length of your back called the spinal canal. This canal is of the utmost importance because it is what houses your spinal cord. As your spinal cord descends from your brain it lets off nerves at each level or vertebrae just like an elevator would let off passengers and those nerves go to every cel,l organ, and tissue of your body.
Now that you know how the spine is put together, lets talk more about these Disc. I often tell patients to think of thier disc as a jelly donut. They have a tougher, more firm ring, around the outside known as the annulus fibrosis as well as a soft gelatin inside known as the nucleus pulposus. We know for anything to survive and thrive it must have food or nutrients and almost every single part of our bodies get that nutrition from blood. The blood brings "food" if you will and take away the "trash" or waste. However, when you enter early adulthood (around age 20-25) your disc loose that blood supply. No blood supply means no food, but don,t worry, this was no mistake on God's part, He simply gave your spine the ability to move, when you move, each vertebrae pumps those disc just like a sponge to squeeze out the waste and bring in the nutrients. So when you walk, jump, bend, and excercise you are helping keep your disc happy and healthy.
The bad news is that many people still have problems with their disc despite the movement they do on a daily basis. How is this possible? Well, every single segment can be moving perfectly but if the motion between as little as two vertebrae is altered then the one disc between them doesn't get fed and just like a plant with out water, it will dry up and wither. Like anything that gets dry it can often tear or crack the outside of the disc "the donut" part letting the inside "the jelly" part squeeze out into that canal where your spinal cord and all those important nerves are.
Why would two vertabrae loose there motion? SUBLUXATION. A Subluxation is a misalignment or loss of motion in your spine directly affecting your nervous system. Chiropractors detect and correct these Subluxations both rehabilitating and preventing problems with disc and many other nervous system problems. Disc problems are often a result of years of Subluxation that often begins at early childhood. Get you and your family checked for Subluxations not just to prevent a disc disaster but to promote 1 health and wellness.
Visit www.braddockchiropractic.com for more questions and to get information on how Chiropractic can help you.
In Health,
Dr. Caleb Braddock
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