DISCS DON’T SLIP!
I far too commonly hear from people that they have a “slipped disc”. That they can’t exercise due to a “slipped disc”. That they have ongoing back pain due to “slipping a disc”. However the truth of that matter is that this is actually impossible…
The intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae, and act as a fibrocartilaginous joint – holding the vertebrae together while allowing slight movement and absorbing shock.
Discs are made up of a fibrous outer ring (annulus fibrosus), which surrounds a gel-like centre (nucleus pulposus). Above and below each disc is the vertebral end plate. This is made up of both bony and cartilaginous components, which holds the discs in place and evenly spreads loads across the disc. The end plate forms an extremely strong connection to the annulus fibrosus, which makes it impossible for a disc to slip out of place!
Due to terms such as “slipped discs” our backs are often thought of as fragile, easily injured structures that we need to be extremely careful with. This is simply not the case. Can discs get injured? Yes. Do our backs need looking after? Of course (just like the rest of our body). But can a disc slip? The answer is no!
Chris Bryceson
B. Health Sciences (Physio), APAM
CB Physiotherapy