Disk Injuries
What Are Discs in the Spine?
Spinal discs are soft, balloon-like structures situated between each of the 24 vertebrae (bones) in your spine. They act as shock absorbers, and allow flexibility and movement whilst also protecting the spine from damage.
Structure of a Spinal Disc
Each disc is comprised of two main parts:
- Nucleus Pulposus – A soft, jelly-like centre that provides cushioning and absorbs pressure.
- Annulus Fibrosus – A tough, outer ring made of strong fibres that help keep the nucleus in place and provide stability.
The Role of Spinal Discs
Spinal discs have key functions such as;
- Shock Absorption – Protecting the spine from stresses such as exercising, and lifting.
- Flexibility & Movement – Allowing bending, twisting, and overall movement.
- Spacing & Protection – Maintaining the correct distance between each of the 24 vertebrae in the spine, preventing the bones from rubbing together and keeping nerves safe.
What Happens When a Disc Is Damaged?
Over time, discs can become injured or degenerate due to age, lifestyle, or injury. This can lead to conditions like bulging discs, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, or annular tears, which can cause back or neck pain, sciatica, sharp, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness.
If you’re experiencing discomfort related to a spinal disc problem, our non-surgical treatments, including Decompressive Oscillation Therapy, can help relieve pain and restore function.
Get in touch today to book a consultation and start your journey towards a healthier spine.
Symptoms of Disc Problems
Spinal disc issues can result in a range of symptoms depending on the severity and location of the problem . Here are the most common signs resulting from disc problems;
1. Back or Neck Pain
- Dull, aching pain in the lower back, mid-back, or neck.
- Pain that worsens with movement, sitting, or standing for long periods.
- Sharp or stabbing pain with certain movements, like bending, lifting or twisting.
2. Pain Radiating to the Arms or Legs (Radicular Pain)
- A bulging or herniated disc can press on nerves, causing burning, shooting, or electric pain that travel down the arms (if damage is in the neck) or legs (if damage is in the lower back).
3. Numbness and Tingling
- Affected nerves can cause numbness, tingling, or “pins and needles” in the arms,hands, fingers, legs, feet, or toes.
4. Muscle Weakness
- such as difficulty lifting or walking.
- Legs or arms may also feel weak and can give way.
5. Increased Pain with Certain Movements
- Pain can worsen with sneezing, coughing, or straining.
- Sitting for prolonged periods and sudden movements can also aggravate the symptoms.
6. Reduced Mobility & Stiffness
- Feeling stiff or restricted in movement, especially in the morning.There may be pain moving from lying to sitting, sitting to standing and standing to walking.
- It may also be difficult to bend and even turn the head.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing persistent pain, numbness, tingling or weakness, it’s important to get checked. Ignoring symptoms can lead to worsening conditions and long-term damage.
At Bury Chiropractic offer non-surgical treatments like Decompressive Oscillation Therapy to relieve pain and help you regain movement without invasive procedures.
Book a consultation today and take the first step towards recovery!
Four Types of Spinal Disc Injuries You Need to Know
Disc Bulge
Imagine your spinal discs as water balloons. When you squeeze any one of them, the entire disc bulges outwards. While this might sound harmless, it’s not. The outer third of the disc contains tiny nerve fibres that detect stretching. If the disc bulges too far, these nerves send a signal to your brain: “There’s a problem!” This creates pain, which can either stay in the spine (discogenic pain) or radiate into your arms or legs (radicular pain) if the bulge presses on a nearby nerve.
Herniation
If the pressure on a bulge in the disc continues, it starts to weaken the tough outer layer that holds it in shape. The result? A smaller, more defined bubble forms—a herniation. At this stage, the disc begins losing its internal fluid (mainly water and nutrients), causing it to deflate. Herniated discs bring their own set of problems, including discogenic pain (back or neck pain) and potentially radicular pain (arm or leg symptoms like sciatica) if a nerve is pinched.
There are two subtypes of disc herniations:
- Protrusion: Think of a mountain where the base is wider than the peak.
- Extrusion: Picture a mushroom, with the top extending further out than the base.
Decaying and Degenerative Disc
Over time, if the disc remains injured, it enters a degenerative phase. At this point, the disc has lost nearly all its water and nutrients, becoming thin and brittle. On an X-ray or MRI, you’d see a significantly reduced disc space, often accompanied by arthritis around the bones and spinal joints. This type of damage takes time to develop but can be a major source of chronic pain and stiffness.
Annular Tear
This occurs when the outer layer of the disc tears. It happens in one of two ways:
- Linear Tear: A straight-line tear from the centre to the edge of the disc, allowing the nucleus (the jelly-like centre) to leak out.
- Chemical Irritation: The leaking nucleus contains chemicals that irritate nearby nerves, causing pain in the spine or down a limb. This isn’t due to direct pressure but to what’s called chemical radiculitis.
Annular tears also behave like scabs on a wound. Any increase in spinal pressure—whether it’s from sneezing, coughing, or standing up—can re-open the tear, causing pain.
Non-Surgical Treatment That Works
These four types of disc injuries are the most common issues we see and treat in our centre. With our proven Triple R method, our technology and method has helped 90% of patients recover without surgery.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with back pain, don’t wait. Reach out today and let’s see if we can help you get back to living the life you want—pain-free.
5 Ways We Test for Spinal Disc Issues
Have you ever wondered how we diagnose a spinal disc issue? There are several methods, but at Bury Chiropractic , we follow a precise approach to ensure we identify and treat the correct problem in your spine.
Proper testing is essential—not just for effective treatment but also to rule out more serious conditions like cancer or other spinal diseases. Below are five tests we utilise to assess spinal disc issues:
1. Palpation
This hands-on examination allows the practitioner to gently feel the spine and surrounding muscles for areas of tightness, restricted movement, and inflammation. By carefully moving the spine, we can pinpoint problem areas that may indicate a disc injury.
2. Orthopaedic Tests
These specialised tests help determine which spinal disc is injured and whether other areas of the spine are also affected. This allows the practitioner to pinpoint the exact level of injury and understand how it may be contributing to your pain.
3. Neurological Testing
Disc injuries can pinch nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness. Neurological tests check nerve function and help identify which specific disc is pressing on which nerve. This information guides us in developing a targeted treatment plan.
What Happens When a Disc Is Damaged?
4. Spinal X-rays (if clinically necessary)
A spinal X-ray helps us:
- Identify areas where pressure is weakening the spinal discs.
- Determine where adjustments are needed for faster, more effective results.
- Rule out more serious conditions such as cancer or bone disease.
5. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (if clinically necessary)
An MRI is one of the most detailed ways to identify spinal disc injuries. It helps us determine:
- The exact type of disc injury (e.g. bulge, herniation, annular tear, or degeneration).
- Which nerves are being compressed.
- Any damage to nearby tissues, including muscles, ligaments, and organs.
Why Proper Testing Matters
By performing a combination of these tests, we can ensure that we accurately diagnose your condition and create a personalised treatment plan to help you recover safely and effectively.
If you’re experiencing back pain, numbness, or tingling, don’t wait—book a consultation today and let us help you find relief.
Considering Physiotherapy or Chiropractic Care? Here’s What You Need to Know
If you’re considering Physiotherapy or Chiropractic care for a spinal disc issue, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure you’re getting the best possible treatment.
Not all physios or chiropractors have the same level of training when it comes to treating spinal disc injuries. Understanding the difference between a General Physio or Chiropractor and a Spinal Disc Specialist can help you get the right care for your condition.
General Chiropractors – If you’re experiencing mild neck or back pain and want a drug-free approach without injections or surgery, a general chiropractor is a great place to start. They focus on spinal alignment and overall musculoskeletal health, much like how a family doctor treats general ailments like colds or flu. After a few weeks worth of adjustments, you should start to notice improved mobility and reduced pain.
Spinal Disc Specialists – If you have a more serious spinal condition, such as a herniated or bulging disc, you need a practitioner with specialised training in disc injuries. Just as you would see a heart specialist for heart disease or a neurologist for brain disorders, a Spinal Disc Specialist has advanced training to diagnose and treat complex disc problems effectively.
If your general physio or chiropractor has exhausted their treatment options—meaning you initially saw some improvement but have now plateaued or your pain persists—it may be time to see a Spinal Disc Specialist.
At Bury Chiropractic we specialise in non-surgical spinal disc treatments that provide relief without surgery, injections, or medications. We work closely with general chiropractors who refer patients to us when disc injuries are suspected or when treatment isn’t producing results. Once the disc heals, we often send patients back to their general chiropractor for routine care.
✔ 90% success rate in treating spinal disc injuries
✔ Advanced, non-invasive treatments
✔ Specialists in spinal disc healing, as well as general chiropractic care for all ages, including prenatal care for expectant mothers
If you’re considering chiropractic care, make sure you ask about your chiropractor’s training and specialisations. The right expertise can make all the difference in your recovery and long-term health.
Book a consultation today and start your journey to a pain-free life!
Beating a “Slipped Disc” Without Surgery
Can you recover from a “slipped disc” without surgery? Yes! Here’s how to recognise the signs of a slipped disc and how we can help you heal without invasive procedures.
Recognising the Symptoms
A “slipped disc” can cause a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Here’s what to look out for:
- Severe lower back pain – Either an intense, sharp pain or persistent discomfort lasting more than a year.
- Pain that feels different or more serious than usual backaches.
- Shooting pain from the lower back to the foot – Often affecting one leg, making it extremely difficult to walk or even get out of bed.
Getting the Right Diagnosis
If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s time to visit Bury Chiropractic. We perform a thorough assessment, including:
- X-rays and MRI scans – To pinpoint the exact location and severity of the injury.
- Physical tests – To confirm whether a slipped disc is pressing on your sciatic nerve.
Key Diagnostic Tests
- Straight Leg Raise Test – Lifting the affected leg while keeping the knee straight. If this causes pain down the leg, it indicates nerve irritation from a slipped disc.
- Kemp’s Test – The patient is seated while the spine is gently compressed and rotated. If this worsens the pain, it confirms disc involvement, as the movement increases pressure on the nerve.
Non-Surgical Treatment Plan
Once we confirm a “slipped disc”, we begin a personalised, non-surgical treatment plan to help you heal. Our approach includes:
- Targeted Treatment with our Triple R Method – A proven method with a 90% success rate, designed to correct and stabilise the affected disc.
- Strengthening Exercises –guided exercises strengthen your core muscles to prevent future injuries.
- Precise Chiropractic Adjustments – Gentle, targeted spinal adjustments encourage the disc to move back into its proper position, relieving pressure on the nerve and eliminating pain.
Commit to Your Recovery
Healing a “slipped disc” won’t happen overnight, but with the right treatment, commitment, and lifestyle changes, you can overcome it without surgery.
Book a consultation today and start your journey to a pain-free life!