~Cartilage~ disks are located between the |vertebrae|, and serve to cushion the spinal column from |shock|. Each disk features an inner, pulpy center, called the |nucleus| pulposus, and a fibrous outer ring, called the annulus fibrosus, which is visible in a lateral view of the |spine|. These intervertebral disks are easily torn or dislocated when the vertebra column is subjected to inordinate stresses, such as those encountered in lifting a heavy load improperly, or twisting the back sharply, as occurs in many sporting injuries. Such a "slipped" disk is only one of many causes of back pain. Others include |arthritis|, spinal ~meningitis~, and inflammation of a ~tendon~ or muscle. Such back problems can cause extreme pain, which may be increased by changes in the weather or poor diet, making lifting, walking, and sitting an excruciating ordeal. Since so many muscles place stress on the |spine| when they operate, simple activities such as going to the bathroom, coughing, laughing, and even breathing may be intolerable with such a condition. More recently, however, medical advances have enabled a number of these ailments to be alleviated and chiropracty, arthroscopic surgery, and other forms of physical therapy make much suffering unnecessary.
