Many people have either heard of or experienced the pain associated with a 'blown disc', but what does that mean and how can chiropractic help.  Today we will discuss all of this and answer some commonly ask questions while giving you a good foundation of knowledge about disc degeneration.  Let's start by explaining the anatomy of a vertebral disc.  The disc itself is like a cushion for the vertebrae that are stacked on top of one another in our back.  They help to create a space for the exiting nerve roots at each level that come off of the spinal cord (see below).  When we are young the disc is similar to a jelly donut with a soft, pliable inside called the nucleus pulposus and a harder outside called the annulus fibrosis.  The disc itself doesn't have any direct blood supply like the bones and muscles in the rest of our body.  Instead the disc relies on the surrounding vertebrae for its nutrients and hydration.  Most often this occurs at night when our body is relaxed and we are laying down, allowing the disc space to open and the nutrients to flow between the bone and into the disc.

  When a disc herniation occurs this can be from an acute trauma or from chronic abuse and degeneration over the years.  A bulging disc is one of the most common disc problems that people encounter.  This is not a true disc herniation as the annulus fibrosis is still fully intact.  This may or may not cause pain for an individual (usually 50% do, 50% don't) and is a symmetric bulging of the entire disc.  A disc protrusion is a true herniation, with a tear in the annulus fibrosis and part of the nuclues pulposus goes beyond the borders of the vertebrae.  A protrusion differs from an extrusion in that an extrusion can travel up or down the vertebral segment adjacent to the disc.  There is also something called a sequestration (not shown) in which a part of the nucleus actually breaks off and is a free fragment.  Most people with protrusions, extrusions, and sequestrations do experience local and radiating (pain into the arm/ leg) pain.  Herniations are most common at L5/S1 which is the transitional segment between the last lumbar vertebrae and the start of the tail bone or sacrum. 

  So how can chiropractic care help prevent disc herniations?  Remember when we talked about how the disc does not have its own blood supply and relies on the vertebrae for its nutrients?  When a chiropractor manipulates a joint they are creating motion in that area.  In the back these joints are restored with proper mobility, enabling the disc to get what it needs from the surrounding tissues (and it decreases pain of course!).  This is why I always tell my patients that even if we don't get a 'pop' or 'crack' during a manipulation, we are still getting the motion into the joint and that is more important.  Just like a nut and bolt need oil and motion to keep from rusting, our back needs to be adjusted to keep everything moving easily and functioning properly. 
  What if you already have a disc herniation?  Chiropractic care can help to treat disc herniations.  With a tailor made treatment plan a chiropractor can help get the nucleus back where it's supposed to be as the body heals itself and the annulus repairs on its own.  Herniations are normally harder to treat and therefor take longer to treat, but the success rates have been equal to, if not higher than that of back surgery. 

Now that valentines day is over I'm sure many of us have piles of chocolate left over.  To make you feel a little better about chowing down I've complied a list of 8 health benefits that you get from consuming chocolate.  Take
these benefits with a grain of salt as most chocolates are still high in fat and sugar, but like everything else, in moderation chocolate is not that bad for you.  Also note that many of these benefits are from the cocoa itself, so
that means that dark chocolates are better for you than milk and white. 

1. Chocolate is rich in fiber.  So instead of snacking on several other snacks, a nice piece of dark chocolate can help to keep you feeling fuller and satisfied.
2. Fights diabetes.  A study done in Italy in 2005 showed that chocolate increases insulin sensitivity. 
3. Protects your skin.  Chocolate contains flavonoids which helps prevent UV damage from the sun.
4. Mood booster.  Many of us already know that indulging in sweets, such as chocolate, helps to release endorphins and make us feel better.
5. Improves blood flow.  Cocoa has anti-clotting and blood thinning properties that work similar to aspirin.
6. Improves vision.  Since blood flow is improved, it makes sense that increased circulation to the retina would help to improve vision.
7. Makes you smarter. Also related to the improved blood flow, a boost to blood to the brain can help with memory and learning.
8. Heart healthy.  Cocoa has also been shown to help decrease blood pressure and bad cholesterol, increasing
your cardiovascular health.

  So enjoy your Valentine's Day goodies and if you have any other questions please drop me a line in the comments section or contact me at my office (518) 390-2484.