The vertebral column, they say, like a bamboo stick, has many joints on which the weight is supported. These joints are the discs, which get compressed due to injury or lack of muscle power or gain in weight. These compressed discs can press on nerve roots to cause pain and sometimes they damage the nerves to the extent that they cause neurological problems (pain, weakness in corresponding muscles, numbness, tingling etc). It is concluded that all back problems seem to stem from the discs and they are therefore the target of all back treatments. If the discs are not degenerate or they do not bulge then there is no backache or other problems related to the spine. Therefore, discs are scooped out, they are partially resected, the corresponding vertebrae are fused to make them immobile to avoid pressure on the disc and

they are partially sucked out. These are the various surgical tactics used to treat disc-related problems.

Those who treat backache conservatively will start with anti-inflammatory drugs and prolonged total backrest (often for two weeks or more) so the inflammation is reduced, then use traction to 'decompress' the disc (often causing more agony). Manipulation is employed 'to bring the discs back into position' by adjusting the facet joints (those that link vertebrae together) with exercises to 'strengthen the back'. One may be advised to lose some weight to 'reduce the pressure on discs'. The exercises that are prescribed range from stretching to swimming and light weightlifting. These exercises 'tone up' the muscles and relieve the pain by holding the spine together.

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