What is VAX-D?

The spine is made up of twenty four movable bones called vertebrae. These vertebrae run down the center of your back. Between each movable vertebra is a disc. The disc act as a cushion or a shock absorber, that provides flexibility and movement to the spine. Additionally, they also act as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.

Unfortunately over time, these discs can become injured and worn out, which is why people face so much trouble with their back. 

The anatomy of the disc is quite simple. The outside of the disc is made up of a fibrous shell called the annulus. The inside of the disc is made up of a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposes. The strong annular fibers hold in the soft jelly like nucleus pulposus. An example of this to think about is a jelly doughnut.

Unfortunately, as you get older a disc loses their blood supply. Therefore, when you have an injury to a disc, it is difficult for that disc to heal on its own. When discs are healthy and uninjured, they retain their shape. When they are degenerated and injured, they push out and put pressure on the surrounding spinal nerve roots.

Discs undergo a tremendous amount of stress, which can sometimes lead to a bulging disc. A bulging disc is a weakening of the disc wall, which causes the disc to bulge out and press painfully on the surrounding nerves. It’s like a hamburger that's too big for its bun.

A herniated disc, on the other hand, occurs when the pressure within the disc becomes too great. This causes a crack or fissure to develop in the tougher outer layer of cartilage (the annulus), which allows some of the softer material inside, to protrude out of the disc. It’s like squeezing a jelly-doughnut. This in turn, may then impinge painfully on the nerves, causing severe muscle spasms and severe pain. It can also lead to numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the arms and legs. A herniated disc is also called a ruptured disc or a slipped disc. 

Typically, spinal stenosis and degenerated disc disease are seen in older people. Stenosis and degeneration of the spine and discs, is a gradual result of aging and “wear and tear” on the spine. Stenosis means a narrowing of the spinal canal, due to the encroachment of disc material or bony growths that squeeze and irritate the spinal cord, or nerve roots.

On the other hand, degenerated disc disease happens when a disc degenerates or breaks down. This may be from years of strain, overuse, and maybe even misuse. Both these conditions can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in both the arms and legs.