You have discs – spongy pads found between most of your vertebrae (spinal bones), in your jaw joint (TMJ) and between your pubic bones (in women, they separate a little during the birth process). 

The discs help give your spine its curves and flexibility and make it better able to withstand stress. Discs also prevent your vertebrae from crashing into each other (that would hurt a lot!). And they also help create spaces (foramina) through which your nerves travel on their way to your internal organs.

But there are times your discs can cause you pain. If your discs flatten out, are twisted or bulge or are otherwise distorted, you can suffer from a lot of neck, back, leg and other pain. 

Do You Have a “Slipped” Disc?

A disc cannot “slip” since it is knitted into the vertebrae from both above and below. What sometimes do slip are the vertebrae, which may stress the disc and contribute to its damage. Many “slipped discs” would be more accurately called slipped vertebrae or subluxations.

Disc damage may be due to an accident or fall (called macro-trauma) or from doing the same thing over and over (called micro-trauma). In addition, long-standing subluxations (tiny spinal distortions) can cause disc damage. 

Disc damage may cause pain. The pain can get so bad people have resorted to surgery. But there’s another approach to disc problems – chiropractic!

Chiropractic has been a blessing to millions of people with spine and disc problems, often saving them from neck or back surgery (which has a very high failure rate, meaning the patient is as bad or worse after the surgery). (1) 

Chiropractors have various techniques to restore the natural curve to your spine, take pressure off of discs and begin a process of healing. Before anyone you know considers back surgery, please tell them about chiropractic care. (2-3)

1. Amirdelfan K, Webster L, Poree L et al. Treatment options for failed back surgery syndrome patients with refractory chronic pain: an evidence based approach. Spine. July 15, 2017;42:S41-S52. 
2. Robinson GK. Reabsorption of a herniated cervical disc following chiropractic treatment utilizing the Atlas Orthogonal Technique: a case report. Abstracts from the 14th Annual Upper Cervical Spine Conference, Nov. 22-23, 1997. Life University, Marietta, GA. Chiropractic Research Journal. 1998;5(1).
3. Ben Eliyahu DJ. Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up: study of 27 patients receiving chiropractic care for cervical and lumbar disc herniations. JMPT. 1996;19(19):597-606.