Page 4 - F Preventing low back pain part 1 -Herniated discs

Vertebrae and Intervertebral Disc
Illustration from Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. http://cnx.org/content/col11496/1.6/, Jun 19, 2013.

This is extremely important because if the inner part

of the nucleus leaks out of the disc, it is extremely

caustic to any nearby nerves. Imagine pouring battery

acid on a nerve and you will understand the problem

with letting the center leak out and make contact with

nerves.

In order for there to be a problem with the disc, the

outer fibrous part must first be damaged. This can

happen a number of different ways but the underlying

principle is that too much stress has been put on the

disc. This damages the fibers.

One common way a disc is damaged is when you

bend forward. When you are standing upright, the

weight of your body is fairly well distributed over the

whole disc. While the disc may be flexible, it is also