How Disc Degeneration Happens?
Everyone suffers from back pain at some time in life but when the spinal cushions called “spinal discs” are the source of the pain – the experience becomes severe and disabling.
The last two discs (L4 and L5) located in the lower back area are the most common discs to cause so much pain. There are two discs in the cervical spine (C5 and C6) that are the most frequent levels affected in the neck but those in the neck are less dramatic and disabling than those disc bulges or herniation in the lower lumbar spine.
Discs are attached to the bone above and the bone below with thousands of fibers that form a crisscrossing mesh that contain the central disc material that is made of a thick jelly/mucous-like substance. These disc materials give strength on the outside and sponginess inside to produce a shock-absorbing effect throughout the spine.
Back pain is known to be one of the most common reasons for disability in individuals above 45 years of age. Back pain is one of the most common complaints for which people seek consultation. Yet, it is also one of the most ignored symptoms among a majority of patients. About 45% of individuals suffering from back pain tend to neglect it.
According to a recent epidemiological survey done in India, low back pain was found to be an emerging problem among young adults (18-35 years of age). Results showed that about 90% of persons included in the survey belonged to an age group of 20-29 years.
