What are Spinal Discs Made Of?
Why it matters
- Your spinal column has 24 moveable bones with spinal discs between each pair
- Spinal discs are designed to help your move in all directions
- Movement of your spine can help keep your spinal discs healthy
Types of Spinal Disc Problems
If you’ve had a spinal disc problem, you know how painful it can be. Every movement seems to hurt, and it can feel like you’ll never be back to your old self. But, with the proper care and a little time, you can get your life back. Pain is a signal to “Pay Attention Inside Now.” If you notice neck or back pain, it’s a warning sign from your body. It’s your body’s way of letting you know you’ve pushed past its limits.
Why it matters
- A herniated disc is when the soft middle of a spinal disc pushes through the tough outer layer .
- Age causes the spinal disc to dehydrate, the cartilage to stiffens, and can result in disc bulges/herniations.
- Exercises that “centralize” your spinal disc may be able to prevent future episodes of sciatica
How to Strengthen Your Spinal Discs
No one wants to deal with back pain. If you’re struggling with pain today or looking to reduce your risk in the future, you may be curious about how you can strengthen your spinal discs. When you think about strengthening your disc, you need to consider how you strengthen your core. Your core is the set of muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your spinal column and help your spinal discs move.
Why it matters
- Core exercises can help your back maintain a balance of strength and flexibility
- Movement of your spine promotes the delivery of nutrients to the spinal discs
- Spinal adjustments can improve your range of motion and decrease pain
Keeping Your Spinal Discs Healthy
Proactively doing things today to help your spinal discs stay healthy in the future is a smart idea. Ain’t no one got time for back pain! Every day your spinal disc absorbs stress related to gravity, your posture, and your movement patterns (or lack thereof). Over time this stress can cause your discs to degenerate and become painful. If you want to minimize your chances of back pain in the future, here a few ways you can keep your discs healthy starting today.
Why it matters
- Prolonged sitting significantly reduces the disc height of L4-L5
- Changing positions every 15 minutes helps the discs retain their height
- Use a standing desk and change positions frequently to reduce your risk of low back pain
Keeping your spinal discs healthy is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing neck or back pain. If you spend long hours at the computer, you need to take proactive steps to counteract that stress. Call us today, and we’ll be happy to work with you on a plan to keep your spinal discs healthy for years to come!