What are Spinal Discs Made of?

We all know spinal discs are important -- but to understand why, the real question is… what are they made of?

Simply put, your spinal discs are the little cushions that sit between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine.

Each disc is made up of a tough, fibrous outer layer (annulus fibrosis) and a jelly-like inner layer (nucleus pulposus). The tough outer layer contains and protects the softer inside layer.

These small discs have a big job. They enable your spine to move in all directions.

Have you found yourself tired and drained at the end of each day?

It may be easy to grab a second (or tenth?!) coffee or energy drink but boosting your energy level doesn't mean you need to rely on caffeine. Creating smart, healthy habits each day can help increase your energy level, mental focus, and endurance.

You've heard it before: regular exercise is good for your physical and mental health.

 Daily exercise can help you lose weight, lower your risk of future health challenges, reduce your stress, and improve your mental outlook. But, if you're like many people (over 80% to be exact!), you just aren't getting enough exercise each week.

Mindset is the #1 predictor of success.

The conversations that you have with yourself that play a major role in determining your growth. And thinking that you can't do something can become a self-fulfilling prophecy that prevents you from acting and making the decisions you need to live your best life.

The good news is that there is good news!

Have you ever felt like you were working hard but weren't making any progress towards your goals?

You're not alone. Most people feel that way each year around this time.

They set goals, take a few action steps, but never seem to accomplish very much. Often the problem isn't a lack of motivation... it's just that they haven't set smart goals. Smart health goals make it easier for you to clarify your thoughts, focus your efforts, use your time to your advantage, and increase your chances of not only achieving but surpassing your expectations!

We all know someone who gets sick around the holidays every year. Are they just unlucky? Thankfully, luck doesn’t have anything to do with it! Our bodies are designed to be healthy and resilient, and research indicates that our daily choices may be the most crucial factor in our ability to stay well.  

Did you know… chronic stress can contribute to health challenges like anxiety and even back pain.

Why? When your body is in a constant state of stress, it produces hormones that can disrupt almost all of your body's natural processes.

That’s one of the big reasons discovering healthy ways to cope with stress is one of the best ways to keep yourself well, and chiropractors may be the perfect healthcare partner to help you get started.  

Your stress level and spinal health are linked through your nervous system.

Just think about what happens to you physically when you get stressed out.

Your muscles tense, your breathing patterns change, and often, so does the way you move. Changes in your posture, for example, can lead to neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, and more – all in response to the stress you’re feeling.  

You may not know that there is a neck pain solution that is recommended by most major health care organizations that almost no physicians talk about. It can work better than medication and is far less risky than injections or surgery. So why hasn't the world embraced it?

That's a good question.