They bulge, herniate, degenerate and tear, but they don’t “slip.” Discs, along with the curves of the spine, serve as the “shock absorbers” of your body. Lower back pain may be the result of herniated discs and other disc problems. Separating each vertebra, they create the necessary spacing for nerves to exit the spinal cord to service the organs and tissues of your body. Rings of fibrous tissue called the annulus contain a soft jelly center.

Here’s a look at two common disc problems.

Bulging Disc
A weakened area of the annulus can allow the softer center of the disc to bulge out like a balloon. This can put pressure on nearby nerves. Bulging discs respond well to chiropractic care. With improved spinal function we’ve seen many cases in which surgery was threatened, resolve nicely.

Herniated Disc
A herniated or ruptured disc tends to be more serious. It can occur anywhere in the spine, but seems most common in the lower back. This is when part of the soft center pushes out through a weakened area due to trauma or degeneration, putting pressure on the spinal cord.

Chiropractic care, along with simple exercises, such as walking, increased water intake and improved nutrition offer a natural, non-surgical resolution for many disc problems.