Another blog post from Ann Arbor chiropractor Mike Tanenbaum, D.C.

“Schmorl's node” is something that the lay person is not likely to know about, but it is a very familiar concept to chiropractors. A Schmorl’s node is a sign of spinal disc and spinal bone degeneration. The spinal discs act to protect the 24 spinal bones that make up the spine during everyday activity, and are the axis of movement for the spinal bones. Schmorl’s nodes generally develop as part of degeneration/aging of the bones and discs of the spine.

A Schmorl’s node is an upward or downward protrusion of the intervertebral disc; they are generally noticeable on x-rays, often as a semicircular indentation into the top or bottom of a vertebra.

As mentioned earlier, a Schmorl’s node often is the result of an aging/degenerating spinal column. Thus, anything that can be done to slow the aging/degeneration of the spine will likely reduce the prevalence of Schmorl’s nodes and keep you healthier.

Schmorl’s nodes have a bit of a negative domino effect on the spine, but chiropractic care can help. Once a Schmorl’s node appears – an indication that the spine is degenerating – the spine’s degenerative process speeds up. However, a way to reduce the prevalence of Schmorl’s nodes, and thus slow the spine’s aging process, is to have regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic helps alleviate back pain, neck pain, and headaches, and it also reduces the likelihood of Schmorl’s nodes, thus reducing the aging/degenerative process of the spine.

If you have any questions about this blog post, chiropractic, back pain, neck pain, or headaches I can be reached at my Ann Arbor chiropractic office at [email protected].