What’s a slipped disc and what’s the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

Injuries to or degenerative conditions to the spine can lead to disc issues. Most people are aware that the vertebral discs function as “shock absorbers” for the spinal column. When we are injured or as we age these soft tissue structures can be damaged. The discs contain two components the annulus fibrosis a cartilage like ring around the nucleus pulposis a gelatinous core. These two structures work as one to help absorb loads and facilitate spinal movement between the vertebrae. When injured the discs can become compromised. The general term for this is disc displacement. More specifically there are bulging discs. This is when a portion of the fibrous outer ring sticks outwards from the rest of a disc (like if you were to squeeze a balloon but on a much smaller scale). Then you have what’s commonly called a “slipped disc” or herniated disc and also a disc protrusion. This is when the outer fibrous ring has broken open and some of the gelatinous nucleus pulposis material comes leaking out (and can become an extrusion if the leakage starts to seep down the spine).

When a disc bulges or herniates, other than surgical intervention, there is nothing you can do to vacuum that piece of the disc back in. However, at Oak Park Health Clinic we specialize in treating patients with therapy and rehabilitation to help stretch, strengthen and stabilized that compromised region of the spine so your body can adapt to the condition, allowing you to resume your normal daily activities with minimal symptoms.