There are 23 discs in the spine which join the spine together between the vertebrae to which they are bonded and held firmly in place, giving the spine it’s curves and functioning as shock absorbers. They are made of a fibrous outside (annulus) and a fluid-like centre (nucleous pulposus). Overtime, this shock absorbing ability of the discs reduce as the discs wear and lose fluid. Small cracks appear in the outer walls increasing their weakness and if put under strain, the disc can start to be pushed out of shape and bulge. If the strain on the disc continues it causes a lumbar disc prolapse also known as a ‘herniated’ or ‘slipped’ or ‘ruptured’ disc, a condition where a fragment of soft central disc material squeezes out under pressure through a tear in the disc capsule (annulus). 

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Slipped discs are a very common occurrence that affect 4 out of 5 people at some point in their lifetime and up to 60% of the population may have a slipped disc at any one time. Both men and women are equally affected and the pain mostly affects people between 30-50 years of age. However, only a small amount of these people may suffer symptoms which can be debilitating and life changing. Symptoms include lower back pain, numbness or tingling in the shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs or feet, neck pain, problems bending or straightening the back and muscle weakness. There are various causes of a slipped disc including, not sitting in the right position, being overweight, not exercising enough, lifting a light load at the wrong angle or repetitive overuse or injury.