The discs are situated between each vertebra and are made of a tough ring of connective tissue in the outer region with a gel-like centre. They maintain the space between the vertebrae and allow for the lower backs range of movement.
Disc injuries are a common cause of lower back pain which commonly occurs in people aged between 25-55 but can occur at any age.
The discs can be damaged by tears in the outer region of the disc, a prolapsed disc (bulging disc) or degeneration with age. Usually, the outer region of the disc breaks down affecting the pain receptors resulting in pain. Risk factors include age, bending awkwardly, bending and twisting, poor lifting, sitting for long periods, being overweight, poor sporting technique, which puts more pressure on the lower back (deadlifting, squatting etc.), or through severe injuries such as a fall or car accident.
The most common areas of disc injury are at the levels of L4/5 and L5/S1 which are the lower two vertebrae of the lower back (lumbar spine).
Those with disc injury may feel pain in the lower back which may radiate into the buttock region or even into the back of the leg and calf or even the foot especially if there is some nerve root irritation. This may also result in pins and needles or numbness in the back of the leg and into the foot (Sciatica). The pain is usually worse first thing in the morning which may ease through the day before getting worse again in the evening. Aggravating factors could include bending, twisting, coughing, sneezing, bearing down on the toilet or prolonged sitting. Relieving factors include being mobile, lying flat and standing.
Lower Back Pain Treatment
Treatment for a disc injury includes manual therapy such as massage, mobilisation combined with exercise therapy to improve symptoms by reducing pain, improving range of movement and allowing normal daily activities to be performed pain-free and to provide long-term prevention strategies to limit the recurrence of the symptoms.
Surgery may be necessary in extreme cases where there is compression on the nerve where manual therapy cannot improve the condition.
Further Reading:
- Could your lower back pain be caused by stress?
- How can you keep the spring in your spine?
- What is the difference between an Osteopath and a Chiropractor?
