WHAT IS A DISC?

A vertebral disc is the cushioning between your vertebrae that allows the back to bend throughout one’s daily activities.  These structures are fluid-filled and have thick walls, called the annular fibers.  The flexibility of this cushion is what allows this cushioning to take place.

 

WHAT IS A HERNIATED DISC?

Herniated discs go by a lot of different names (e.g. pinched nerve, bulging disc, slipped disc, disc protrusion).  Each of these, in short, mean that the walls of the cushion have broken and allowed the interior filling to leak.  Depending on where the tearing has occurred, a number of issues can present.  

 

WHAT ARE SOME SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC?

 - Numbness to the legs or arms

 - Radiating back pain

 - Muscle weakness