What is Disc Protrusion?

A disc protrusion is a common cause of low back pain, and many appointments are made to see a chiropractor to treat this condition. The discs in the back are made up of a ring of fibers that are called the annulus. The annulus is positioned around a center known as the nucleus. The nucleus is not entirely solid, but instead looks like gel. When the gel from the nucleus protrudes into the annulus, it is called a slip. When someone says they have a slipped disc, they are really talking about a disc protrusion. When a portion of the nucleus protrudes into the annulus, it causes the disc in the back to bulge out, possibly pressing against a nerve. The result is a lot of pain. The pain of a disc protrusion can start in the lower back region and radiate down one or both legs. If the disc protrusion is a large one, the pain will tend to extend further down the legs. A person with this condition may lean toward either the left or the right, and this fact will influence where the pain is felt ...  more