Hallamshire Osteopathy
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Disc problems and 'slipped discs'

When people suffer back pain, they are frequently told by others that they have a slipped disc, but what does this misleading term actually mean? It seems to imply that one of the discs in your back has somehow become dislodged from the spine.

Your spine is composed of vertebra, stacked on top of each other, between which are discs. They consist of a tough outer covering and a gel-like interior, which act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. As they are attached to the vertebrae and bound down by numerous and extremely tough ligaments they cannot, therefore, 'slip', as is commonly believed.

Occasionally, however, the disc can develop a bulge which may cause pain in the back and which may also press on a nerve as it leaves the spine, causing sharp pain to radiate along the length of the nerve. This may occur as a result of postural changes or as part of the ageing process whereby the discs become slightly thinner over time, generally affecting people between 30 and 55. In theory, this can happen anywhere within the spine, however it is usually in the lower back (around the level of your belt) and occasionally in the lower neck. Thankfully, disc problems are relatively uncommon.

When they do occur they can be extremely painful and may take several months to ease fully. This process can be helped with Osteopathic treatment which will seek to reduce the immediate pain and help the body's natural healing process.
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Our practitioners have attended Postgraduate courses to treat horses and dogs.
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