Misconceptions About Intervertebral Discs
BeachLife Physio • 28 July 2021
Did You Know: Discs Don't Slip
Have you been told you have a slipped disc? This enduring myth leads people to believe that their spine is some brittle, fragile structure, leading them to avoid perfectly normal movements and activities. While it is possible to injure an intervertebral disc, the disc itself is firmly fixed between the vertebra and cannot "slip". Your spine and the structures that make it up are far stronger than you realise.
If you have been told you have a "slipped disc" in your neck or back, we would strongly ENCOURAGE you to see your BeachLife Physiotherapist for an updated PERSPECTIVE on what is causing your neck or back pain.
There is far more that you can do to influence your recovery and manage your pain than you realise, and truly understanding your neck or back pain is a critical part of the process.
A common misconception about low back pain is that "Disc bulges must be painful"
Studies have shown that about 1/3 healthy, pain free 20 year olds have at least one disc bulge present on their low back MRI scan. And this number continues to rise as we age.
The upside --> You may see a disc bulge or herniation present on your scan without it causing you any pain whatsoever
What about sciatica?
Even if you are one of the unlucky ones with nerve root irritation, studies indicate that the vast majority of sciatica cases from a herniated disc recover without surgery
If you are unsure what the cause of your back pain is and don't know where to begin, it's time to visit your BeachLife Physiotherapist.
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