The term slipped disk is a misnomer; intervetebral disks cannot slip. However it would seem that they can be damaged, just like any other part of our bodies. They degenerate over time: dehydrating appears to be a perfectly normal (and painless) function of the aeging process. They can bulge and rupture (‘a prolapsed disk‘) and the nerves within and around them tell you this.

Our condition is one of herniated disks in the Lumbar / Sacral (lower / bottom) region of the spine. Under the great pressures which we can put on our spine (I’ve read of 200psi being generated in these small disks), the disk’s annulus fibrosus tears, allowing the nucleus pulposus to be squeezed out like toothpaste. Often this extruded ‘crab meat’ like material (as referred to by a surgeon) pushes against the spinal cord and this appers to be amongst the most common causes of sciatica.

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