Discopathy – herniated disc and Atlas

Thanks to the systematic documentation of the posture of each person treated, using a specific postural measurement system, we at Atlantomed can assert with certainty that a herniated disc, whether lumbar or cervical, is always associated with a significant pre-existing postural imbalance. This imbalance manifests through a noticeable pelvic misalignment, a chronic lateral deviation of the spine (scoliosis) or, in the case of the cervical spine, an altered curvature.

In medicine, people often talk about "worn-out" intervertebral discs. But have you ever wondered how they could wear out and why that should happen? Perhaps they are compared to car shock absorbers, which deteriorate after a certain number of kilometers. If this were true, it would mean that, to preserve our discs, we should limit our movements as much as possible. However, experience shows the opposite: those who practice sports, despite putting more stress on their intervertebral discs, maintain them in excellent health.

The truth is that intervertebral discs do not wear out like mechanical objects; instead, they undergo a degenerative process that gradually reduces their volume, eventually leading to the rupture of the outer fibrous ring. But why does this happen? The answer lies in unbalanced stress: when discs are constantly loaded on one side and subjected to excessive compression by chronically tense muscles, they eventually give way, much like a dam under pressure. Think of a sandwich filled with mayonnaise—if you press it too hard, the mayonnaise squeezes out from the sides; the same thing happens to intervertebral discs.

Discs can and must be subjected to loads to stay healthy, but the stress must alternate with moments of release; constant pressure is harmful! We can compare them to piano keys: when you press them in sequence, they produce a melody, but if you keep them constantly pressed, the piano stops playing.

In medicine, the principle of cause and effect is often reversed, turning a herniated disc from a consequence into the root cause of the problem. The poor intervertebral disc, constantly compressed like in a vice, shifts from being a victim of unfavorable circumstances to being considered the source of all ailments. The theory that the hernia is the cause of pain does not explain why, after surgical removal of the hernia, in many cases the pain persists or even worsens due to additional damage to the surrounding tissues and post-operative scarring. Moreover, the problem often recurs over time. The failure rate is so high that recently even surgeons have started to question whether the scalpel is really the right solution in 95% of cases.