It is not exhaustive, and anybody facing choices should educate themselves as much as possible with the appropriate medical professionals. Here are some of the basics. A healthy spine is critical to optimal performance in sports. The spine is a flexible column made up of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, separated by elastic shock absorbers called disks. The spinal cord traverses a large opening called the spinal canal.
Nerves branch out from the spinal cord to energize the muscles of the body.
The nerves travel to your body through smaller openings in the vertebrae called foramina. The aging process can cause a deterioration in the elasticity of the disks. Flexibility can be diminished. Sudden movements or violent shocks can cause the disk to herniate. Herniation is akin to a tire blowing out.