Conditions (Disc Injury, etc...)

Chicago Spinal Decompression & Chiropractic Group

"non-surgical relief from back pain, herniated or bulging discs, sciatica, and whiplash"

1945 W. WILSON AVE (#6113), CHICAGO, 60640 (773) 293-4537

spinal decompression . chiropractic . rehab

Herniated and Bulging Discs, Degenerative Discs,
Sciatica, Stenosis

Herniated and Bulging Discs
The intervertebral discs are located between each vertebrae in the spinal column. Of the vertebrae, there are 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (mid-back) and 5 lumbar (low back) discs. The discs make up approximately 1/3 of the spinal column. They have three main functions: (1) "Absorb shock" from everyday wear and tear. (2) Allow movement of our spinal column. (3) Separate the vertebrae.

The intervertebral disc is actually a type of cartilaginous joint. Discs consist of an outer layer, annulus fibrosis, and an inner nucleus pulposus, which is a soft, jelly-like, substance. The disc is made up of proteins called collagen and proteoglycans that attract water. Normally, discs compress when pressure is put on them and decompress when the pressure is relieved. These discs do not have a blood supply; therefore, they exchange nutrients by a process called "imbibition". Imagine a sponge filled with water; when that sponge is compressed, the water is forced out of the sponge. When the compressive force is removed, the water is "sucked" back into the sponge. This is precisely how discs stay healthy and functional. Diseased discs can lead to degenerative disc disease that can then lead to: herniated discs, bulging discs, facet syndromes, sciatica and spinal stenosis.

A herniation or bulge describes an abnormal condition of an intervertebral disc. Some refer to this condition as a "slipped", "ruptured", or "blown" disc. Most of the time it is not known what caused the disc to herniate or bulge, but it is thought to occur from repetitive stress due to occupation, poor spinal posture, and/or natural processes of aging and/or trauma.

A bulging disc occurs when the soft, inner nucleus pulposus bulges into the tough, outer annulus fibrosis. This bulge may push on a spinal nerve. This interferes with the natural blood supply to the nerve roots and sets up a condition known as intraneural edema. Basically, the nerve root microcirculation is compressed and can progress to the point where the soft nucleus begins to break through the outer tough layers of the disc. Once the soft nucleus breaks through it is called a herniated disc. At this point the body begins to fight back by launching an autoimmune response to the disc material (nucleus pulposus). The reaction of this defense mechanism causes severe inflammation and progressive deterioration of the nerve root. If the herniation is located in the cervical spine (neck), the symptoms can range from neck pain, with or without arm pain, to numbness and tingling. Muscle weakness can be common as well. If the herniated disc is located in the lumbar spine (low back), the symptoms can range from low back pain, with or without leg pain, to numbness and tingling. Muscle weakness is also common. This type of pain and/or numbness in the legs or arms is referred to as a "radiculopathy". This happens because the nerves that exit your spinal cord innervate ("attach to") the skin in your arms and legs. They are responsible for sensation and for movement of the muscles in your arms and legs. They are also responsible for the reflexive movements as well. This is the reason some individuals with these conditions experience extremity (leg/arm) pain / numbness / tingling and/or weakness when they have a herniated or bulging disc. Be aware that, some individuals with herniated discs may report arm or leg pain only, with minimal neck or low back pain.
(see SPINAL DECOMPRESSION treatment options)

Degenerative Disc Disease (Spinal Arthritis)

Degenerative Disc Disease is a gradual process that occurs as we age. Gradually the water and protein content of the body's cartilage changes. Sometimes this process is accelerated due to heavy occupational demands such as repetitive bending and twisting, heavy lifting, or accident and injury. These changes can result in weaker and thinner cartilage. Because both the discs and the joints (facet joints) are composed of cartilage, these areas are subject to wear and tear over time (degenerative changes). This gradual deterioration of the discs between the vertebrae (back bones) is referred to as degenerative disc disease.

These changes usually occur long before you can see them on X-rays or other imaging techniques.

What is happening is the progression of wear and tear of the discs and the weakening of protein (collagen) of the outer band of the disc (annulus fibrosis) causing a structural and biomechanical change of the disc. Furthermore, water and proteoglycan (PG) content decreases. PGs are molecules that behave like super sponges and can bind and attract water hundreds of times their own molecular weight. “Disc desiccation” is a term used to describe the proteoglycan content decreasing and loss of water in the discs (dehydration). This very well may be a term you read on your MRI report.

This process severely affects the "shock absorbing" properties of the discs as they "compress" under normal pressure. These changes usually occur at the same time as the annulus fibrosis degenerates and generally leads to the disc’s inability to handle mechanical stress. Because the lumbar spine carries a large portion of the body’s weight, degeneration of the disc tissue makes the disc more susceptible to herniate and can cause local pain in the affected area. Disc degeneration can sometimes lead to disorders such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), spondylolisthesis (forward slippage of the disc and vertebra), and retrolisthesis (backward slippage of the disc and vertebra).

CERVICAL AND LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE PAIN AND SYMPTOMS

Although symptoms are variable from person to person, most patients with degenerative disc disease will experience low-grade continuous but tolerable pain that will occasionally flare (intensify) for a few days or more. Pain symptoms can vary, but generally are:

Centered in the neck or lower back, although it can radiate to the shoulders/arms or hips/legs
Frequently worse when sitting, as the discs experience a heavier load than when patients are standing, walking or even lying down.
Exacerbated by certain movements, particularly turning, bending or twisting.

Although degenerative disc disease is relatively common in aging adults, it seldom requires surgery. When medical attention is warranted, the majority of patients respond well to non-operative forms of treatment like chiropractic, rehab, physical therapy, or Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression therapy.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a collection of several nerve roots that arise between your spinal bones (vertebrae). These nerve roots join together and form the largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels down from the low back under the buttock muscles all the way down the legs and feet. Sciatica is a term to describe an irritation or pressure on the nerve, which is commonly caused by a herniated or bulging disc (also referred to as a ruptured disc, pinched nerve, or slipped disc) in the lumbar spine. The pressure or irritation leads to a complex of symptoms that include sharp, radiating pain, burning, numbness and tingling, and/or weakness. This is a very debilitating condition that affects thousands of people every year.

Generally, herniated or bulging discs are the cause of the problem. The herniated or bulging material of the disc will compress or contact the exiting nerve root producing the symptoms. Sometimes central canal stenosis, lateral canal stenosis, spondylolithesis, or degenerative disc disease can cause this nerve compression as well. The problem is often diagnosed as a "radiculopathy", meaning that one or more intervertebral discs have herniated or protruded from their normal position in the vertebral column. This puts pressure on the nerve root in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. On many occasions this condition slowly develops as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine and discs. Rarely is this condition surgical. Unless there is a progressive neurological deficit, or cauda equina syndrome, the majority of people who experience sciatica get pain relief with non-surgical treatments.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression is very effective for these conditions. Physical therapy, Rehab, and Chiropractic can help as well.

Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis (or narrowing) is a common condition that affects many adults 50 yrs old and older. This occurs when the small spinal canal, containing the nerve roots and spinal cord, becomes constricted or compressed. This can lead to a number of problems, depending on which nerves are affected. In general, spinal stenosis can cause cramping, pain or numbness in the legs, back, neck, shoulders and/or arms; a loss of sensation inthe extremities; and sometimes, in rare cases, problems with bladder or bowel function. In general, spinal narrowing is caused by osteoarthritis, or "wear and tear" arthritis, of the spinal column. This results in a "pinching" of the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.

People suffering from spinal stenosis may have trouble walking any significant distance, and usually must sit or lean forward over a grocery cart, countertop or assistive device such as a walker.

Typically, a person with spinal stenosis complains about developing tremendous pain in the legs or calves and lower back after walking. Pain occurs more quickly when walking up hills. This is usually very reproducible and is almost immediately relieved by sitting down or leaning over. When the spine is flexed forward, more space is available for the spinal cord, causing a reduction in symptoms.