The Redefine Healthcare chiropractic team specializes in helping treat back pain, joint pain, headaches, and other issues related to pain management. Led by Dr. Richard Sabbagh, our team helps patients improve their strength and mobility through a combination of chiropractic techniques, Progressive Rehab, and other therapies to meet your unique health needs. A slipped disc is a misnomer because the disc does not actually slip out of place between the vertebrae. Instead, a slipped disc occurs when the outer walls of the intervertebral disc tear. Other terms for this condition are herniated disc, prolapsed disc, or ruptured disc. When outer annular rings are torn the central gel-like nucleus pulposus can push out and place pressure on the other structures in the area. The slipped disc usually occurs at the posterior lateral wall where the annulus fibrosis is thinnest. Unfortunately this is where the nerves of the spine exit and track distally into the body. The larger the tear, and the further the nucleus pushes out into the surrounding area, the more severe the symptoms. The majority of slipped discs occur in the lumbar spine, at levels L4-L5 and L5-S1. A slipped disc in the lumbar spine can affect the sciatic nerve, creating a condition called sciatica.