Vertebral Disc Injuries: What They Are, Grades of Injury & How We Can Help
By Mo Mommersteeg, Chiropractor
What Is a Spinal Disc?
Between each vertebra (the bony segments of your spine) sits a vertebral disc — a fluid-filled, cartilaginous structure designed to absorb shock, support the spine, and allow smooth movement.
You have 23 discs from the base of your skull down to your sacrum. Each one works like a cushion, helping your spine carry loads and move freely.
A disc is made up of two key parts:
Annulus Fibrosis – the strong, outer ring of fibres.
Nucleus Pulposus – the soft, jelly-like centre.
Together, they act like a shock absorber for your back.
How Do Discs Change Over Time?
Just like the rest of our body, discs change with age.
At birth, discs are about 80% water, soft and gel-like — perfect for cushioning movement.
Over time, they dehydrate, losing height and flexibility.
This reduced shock absorption can make the spine feel stiffer and less mobile.
The best way to support healthy discs? Movement!
Regular movement increases blood flow, keeps tissues hydrated, and helps your spine stay strong and resilient.
Types of Disc Injuries
Disc injuries are classified into different grades depending on severity:
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Inner nucleus material pushes against the outer annulus but does not break through.
Can place pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain or tingling.
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The annulus fully tears, and the inner nucleus pushes outward.
May compress nerves or the spinal cord.
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A more advanced herniation.
Larger amounts of nucleus pulposus push into the spinal canal or nerve space, creating more pressure.
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The most severe stage.
The inner disc material breaks away and migrates down the spinal canal, sometimes fragmenting.
Often requires orthopaedic intervention or surgery.
What About Degenerative Disc Disease?
This is simply spinal wear and tear over time. As discs lose fluid and height, they can’t absorb shock as well, leading to stiffness and discomfort.
We prefer to think of it as “spinal life experience” — something we all go through, but one we can manage with movement, strength, and care.
How can we treat disc injuries?
How We Treat Disc Injuries
Disc injuries can be painful, but the good news is that many respond really well to conservative, hands-on treatment and active rehab. At Momentum Health & Chiro, we tailor treatment depending on severity.
Treatment Options May Include:
Soft Tissue Therapy / Massage – Promotes blood flow, eases protective muscle spasms.
Dry Needling – Targets deeper tissues, reduces tension, and promotes healing.
Sports Taping – Useful in acute cases to reduce pain and support recovery.
Spinal Mobilisation & Distraction – Gentle techniques to relieve disc pressure and encourage movement.
Rehab & Movement Training – Safe, guided exercises to restore mobility and strengthen supportive muscles like your core, glutes, and legs.
Our goal is always to:
Reduce pain
Restore movement
Build resilience so the injury doesn’t return. We, and the research highly recommend treatment that involves both manual therapy and active rehab and safe movement.
When More Support Is Needed
In more severe cases, additional interventions may be required, such as:
Cortisone injections
Nerve ablation (burning irritated nerves)
Orthopaedic surgery
If we believe your injury needs specialist input, we’ll always guide you in the right direction. Your health and recovery come first.
When to Seek Help
Disc injuries are one of the most common reasons people see their GP or allied health professionals. If you’re experiencing persistent back pain, stiffness, or nerve-like symptoms (such as tingling, numbness, or shooting pain), it’s important not to ignore it.
At Momentum Health & Chiro, we recommend starting with conservative care like chiropractic, massage, and rehab before considering more invasive options.
