It's a common belief that severe back pain is often caused by a slipped disc. However, medical experts dismiss this by saying that back pain in 90% of people is not because of problems related to the disc. On the otherhand an MRI scan on a 30 year old, who hasn’t complained of back pain in his/her life, might show at least a slight disc problem.
Slipped disc may not be the real reason for back pain in majority of people. The inter vertebral discs act as the shock absorbers of the backbone. These discs are what make your movements easier and helps you stand erect, bend, lift weights, travel or even engage in physical exercises.
As the neck and the back are constantly moved and are thus strained, the discs would be seen as protruding even in youngsters. There is no need to unnecessarily panic even if you spot it in the scan.
If the protective membrane around the discs breaks and the soft nucleus comes out, it can cause pain by exerting pressure on the spinal nerves. You could suffer from back pain even if there isn’t anything wrong with the back bone or the spinal cord. In most cases, there is no need for prolonged bed rest or a complicated surgery to treat back pain. All you need is a proper diagnosis and treatment.
