THE DISKS The spinal disks absorb the impact
of body weight and movements. Normally, they serve as efficient shock absorbers
for a long lifetime. But some of us give them more load or shock than they can
bear-through excessive body weight, excessive or improper load lifting, and
neglect of good tone in the muscles of both back and abdomen which help to
maintain good posture. There is no such thing as a "slipped" disk,
although you hear the term often. What has happened to the victim of a
so-called slipped disk is that the disk has been crushed or has worn out and a
portion of it has been extruded. The ligaments and fibrous layers of the disk
have weakened, and the nucleus has been pushed out from the center into the
spinal canal, compressing the nerve roots that branch from the spinal cord at
this level.
The disk most commonly undergoing such
herniation is the one between the fourth and fifth lumbar (lower back)
vertebrae. When this disk is affected, pain is usually felt down the back of
the leg and even into the side of the foot. Disk herniation can occur gradually
over a period of many years of strenuous jarring activity, or it can be caused
by an accident like a fall. Effective treatment for disk herniation is
available. It may be conservative, relying upon removal of pressure from nerve
roots, use of a firm bed or bed board, traction, and medication. In some cases,
surgery may be required. The wise thing, of course, is to prevent disk
problems. One sensible measure is to keep body weight at the proper level.
Another is to be careful in picking up heavy weights. And very much worthwhile
is the maintenance of physical fitness through regular moderate exercise and
the use of special exercises (see page 89) for strengthening back and abdominal
muscles.
