[Kim Jaeho's Life Story]<176> The Disk's Earnest Appeal

Many people around us suffer from herniated discs in the lower back or neck. According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, about 2.94 million patients received treatment for disc-related issues in 2018, a 6.2% increase compared to 2014, accounting for one-third of the 8.87 million patients with spinal diseases. By type, patients with lumbar disc herniation numbered about 1.98 million, twice as many as those with cervical disc herniation at 960,000, and more women were affected than men.

Intervertebral disc herniation, commonly known as a herniated disc, is a condition where the round, flat cartilage called the intervertebral disc located between the vertebrae is damaged, causing the jelly-like, sticky nucleus pulposus inside the disc to protrude and compress the surrounding spinal nerves. The intervertebral disc functions as a cushion absorbing shocks applied to the spine, and when the annulus fibrosus that surrounds and protects the nucleus pulposus is damaged, the nucleus pulposus protrudes.

Intervertebral disc herniation can occur in any disc in the spine, but it most commonly occurs in the discs between the lumbar vertebrae (lumbar disc herniation), followed by the discs between the cervical vertebrae (cervical disc herniation). Herniation in the thoracic vertebrae discs (thoracic disc herniation) is very rare.

Lumbar disc herniation most frequently occurs in the discs between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae and between the 5th lumbar vertebra and the sacrum (sacral vertebra), while cervical disc herniation commonly occurs between the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae among the seven cervical vertebrae. The symptoms of the disc depend on which nerve is compressed.

Lumbar disc herniation causes lower back pain and leg pain, but if the protruding disc does not irritate adjacent nerves, there may be no pain. Lower back pain appears in the lower back and hips, while leg pain manifests as tingling or radiating pain down the leg. Cervical disc herniation causes pain in the neck that radiates to the shoulders, arms, hands, or fingers, often accompanied by electric shock-like tingling or numbness.

Intervertebral discs that function normally in youth lose water content in the nucleus pulposus and increase collagen with age, weakening elasticity and reducing shock absorption. When excessive force is applied to the disc in this weakened state, the annulus fibrosus tears or ruptures, causing the nucleus pulposus to protrude and form a herniated disc. Incorrect movements or posture, prolonged strain on the spine due to excessive weight, or trauma from falls or accidents increase the risk of disc herniation.

A herniated disc is not a fatal disease. Ellen G. White, author of "The Desire of Ages," defined disease as "nature's effort to free itself from the effects of violating health laws," and herniated disc is a disease that clearly demonstrates this definition. Most patients improve easily with conservative treatments such as rest, exercises to strengthen spinal muscles, correction of standing or sitting posture, and weight management, with few requiring surgery.

For most herniated disc patients, pain improves with short-term conservative treatment thanks to the natural healing function encoded in the genes within cells. If poor lifestyle habits persist, the genes responsible for natural healing cannot function properly, leading to various diseases. However, improving these habits restores the genes' natural healing ability, allowing recovery.

To heal a herniated disc, one must listen to the disc's urgent plea to correct poor lifestyle habits. People often think that when they visit a hospital for a disease, their role is just to pay money, and curing the disease is the hospital's responsibility. However, it is important to remember that all diseases heal when their causes are removed. The person who can eliminate the cause is the one who caused it, and the hospital's role is only to guide and assist in making changes.

Herniated discs heal naturally and can be prevented by restoring spinal function and strengthening the spine. It is essential to make proper spinal exercises and activities that strengthen spinal muscles a daily habit, along with maintaining postures and movements that do not stress the spine. Whether working, resting, or sleeping, maintaining a posture where the head and chin are pulled back so the side profile is straight (refer to Life Story episode 175), maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking are also important.

Jaeho Kim, Independent Researcher

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.