The intervertebral disc is a structure that is designed to allow movement of your spine and acts like a shock absorber. Each adjacent vertebra of your spine is separated by an intervertebral disc.
It is oval viewed from above or below and the rim of the disc is made up of tough fibres and the inside has a soft, squishy centre. It is made primarily of cartilage. Unfortunately, more than half of people have an inborn tendency to have poor quality cartilage. This is a problem, because the disc’s function in absorbing the shocks and mechanical stresses that the spine is exposed to during our daily lives, means that they are prone to wear-and-tear.
If the discs undergo accelerated wear-and-tear, some of the pressures that the disc must absorb are transferred to the joints of the spine and these joints, lined with cartilage as well, become damaged and inflamed. The tough rim of the disc can also develop tears and breaks, and this causes the centre becomes dehydrated, less squishy, and the discs become less able to handle shocks. Some of the gel in the centre can also leak out and cause pressure on nerves. This is what is referred to as a slipped disc.
If you and your family have a tendency towards back pain, then you most likely have inborn poor quality cartilage. Making sure that you eat the correct foods and that the activities you do eve y day do not put unnecessary pressures on your discs and joints are super important. Eating a Mediterranean diet and using supplements such as Omega 3, Vit D3 and Magnesium will help. Walking daily reduces the strain on your spine and dancing helps with spinal mobility and stability.
For every activity from being intimate with your partner, shopping, working in the garden, driving your car, washing the dishes, and all the other things you do every day, there is a correct way to reduce the strain on your discs. Make sure you learn how to do everything correctly and practice it every day.