WHAT IS A SLIPPED DISC AND WHY DOES IT HURT SO MUCH?

Your spine consists of 33 bones called vertebrae. Between each vertebra are circular pads, or discs, of connective tissue, which protect the vertebrae against shocks. The discs have tough cases that contain a gel-like substance. A slipped disc occurs when the gel protrudes outwards between the vertebrae. A damaged disc can put pressure on the entire spinal cord or on a single nerve fibre. This means that not only will a person with a slipped disc feel pain around the disc, but they could potentially also feel pain in every area a nerve fibre controls.