Low Back Pain: SPINE & SPORTS: Do disks really ‘slip?’

Low Back Pain: SPINE & SPORTS: Do disks really ‘slip?’

BY ADMIN /   THURSDAY, 17 DECEMBER 2015 /

Low Back Pain: SPINE & SPORTS: Do disks really ‘slip?’

Have you ever heard the expression, “I slipped a disc!” when someone described the source of their low back pain? While “slipping a disc” is something of a misnomer, a little anatomy lesson will uncover what really happens to the discs in your spine.

Between the hard vertebral bones of the spine are flexible structures called discs, intervertebral discs to be exact, that are composed of fibrocartilage: imagine rubber infused with cotton fibers. Intervertebral discs are shaped like onion slices, with rings and cross-fiber connections. The outer or annular rings are dry and firm. The inner disc has a soft and more gelatinous composition, called the nucleus pulposus. Microscopic fibers criss-cross throughout the disc to create small honeycomb-like chambers which enclose the wet cartilaginous substance, and just like bubble wrap, these chambers create hydrostatic pressure which keeps the bones spaced apart, allowing for normal vertebral movement. When you flex and extend, the vertebrae rock over the firm, pressurized discs.

So while discs don’t slip, per se, lots of other physical insults may occur. For example, repetitive loading (for example, doing sit-ups) and injuries cause disc fibers to crack, creating fissures within the disc which allow the gelatinous nucleus pulposus to migrate to the outer rings of the disc. The outer portion of the disc has a lot of nerve fibers and thus is quite sensitive. Irritation from nuclear chemical leakage to the outer disc causes back pain as well as referred pain into the hip and thigh. The degenerative breakdown of discs causes them to lose their hydrostatic pressure chambers, resulting in bulging, just as a car tire might bulge outward when low on air. Bulging discs are very common, but only cause pain when they fissure or fray, thereby leaking irritating chemicals. With too much pressure a vulnerable disc can extrude a chunk of its nucleus pulposus to the outside of the outer annular ring: ouch!

Many people walk around with bulging discs without pain because there is no chemical irritation to the disc or to its surrounding structures. Though discs may dry out as they degenerate, and can crumble or fissure internally, as long as they don’t irritate the nerve endings within, they won’t cause back pain. If a large bulge, localized protrusion or extrusion of the disc compresses or chemically irritates a spinal nerve which exits between the vertebrae, radiating nerve pain into an extremity will result. This condition of pain into the leg and foot, which often occurs with numbness and tingling, is called sciatica. Note that pain emanating solely into the buttock or thigh is not sciatic nerve pain, but rather referred pain from the disc, its surrounding joints or tissues.

Years ago, MRIs were routinely ordered to diagnose the source of back pain, often revealing a disc bulge or herniation, resulting in undue concern and inappropriate treatment. We now know that bulging discs are in fact commonplace, and not all disc abnormalities correlate with pain. This is why back pain specialists such as chiropractors may urge patients to reconsider an MRI to diagnose back pain or sciatica unless their history and exam findings point to a condition that might warrant it. Since current research supports an initial course of conservative treatment for addressing disc-related pain, working with a top-notch chiropractor and a physical therapist is your best treatment option.

Integrity Life Sciences delivers a multitude of orthotic treatment options to address one of the most costly systemic ailments in the world, chronic low back and neck pain. Our advanced solution begins with the Integrity Spinal Care System (ISCS) ™ and its proprietary iELCiPS Technology™. The ISCS non-surgical spinal decompression modality systems are engineered to provide pain relief for compressive and degenerative conditions of the spine. Specifically, conditions that may be treated include: neck pain and back pain associated with herniated discs, protruding discs, degenerative disc disease, posterior facet syndrome, and sciatica. It achieves these effects through decompression of intervertebral discs, that is, unloading due to distraction and positioning.

As a compliment to the ISCS, Integrity offers the very effective Integrity Gel Support Brace™. Our advanced lumbar support brace is a fitting compliment to non-surgical spinal decompression therapy and was designed as an adjunct therapy for those suffering from back pain due to disc related conditions. The Integrity Gel Support Brace may be used with or without Integrity’s non-surgical spinal decompression systems and is an excellent treatment option for the patient to use at home.

In addition, Integrity Life Sciences has been exclusively granted the use of all of the technology, products, US Patent and Trademark Office’s assignments, logos and other forms of intellectual property that were created by Axiom Worldwide, INC under the leadership of Jim Gibson from Tampa, Florida. The agreement specifically includes the flagship product DRX 9000™, its family of products, and all of its derivatives such as the DRX9000C. Integrity offers support for these products, which includes: sales, maintenance services, and repairs. Only Integrity Life Sciences is Registered with the US FDA as a Factory Authorized – Contract Manufacturer – for Axiom Worldwide and the DRX9000 True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Systems™

James Gibson, President of Integrity Life Sciences and Axiom Worldwide states “Our partners, in over 50 countries and territories, have the unique opportunity to present a cutting edge medical device, utilizing a clinically validated protocol that restores a patient’s quality of life non-surgically and without pharmaceutical or invasive intervention“. With a body of published clinical research from around the world will support and strengthen your sales presentation; members of our medical advisory board herald from prestigious institutions such as Johns-Hopkins and The Mayo Clinic just to name a few. In addition, partners will have confidence in a quality product that adheres to the stringent standards mandated by FDA, CE, and ISO. Sales, marketing, and technical training is offered in prestigious locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and throughout the United States.

Learn more @: www.IntegrityLifeSciences.com or www.AxiomWorldwide.com

Integrity Life Sciences, LLC and Axiom Worldwide, INC are privately held companies with global interests and shareholders with international partners located across the globe with a mission of “Restoring Integrity to the Spine™” and delivering "True Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression"

For additional information please visit: www.IntegrityLifeSciences.com.

Elements as Published in: The Daily Gazette