The intervertebral disc is located between the individual vertebral bodies. It functions as a buffer, absorbing mechanical pressure along the spine. The spine consists of 24 vertebral bodies, extending from the cervical to the lumbar spine, which are held together by joints, ligaments, muscles, and fascia.

The intervertebral disc itself consists of a gelatinous nucleus, known as the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by several layers of fibrous connective tissue, known as the annulus fibrosus. The intervertebral disc has no direct blood supply; the delivery of fluid, nutrients, and oxygen relies on the process of diffusion from the adjacent vertebral bodies. This process largely depends on the pressure difference between the interior of the disc and the adjacent vertebral body, or its supplying blood vessels.

This is also why intervertebral disc regeneration (including supply and nutrition) primarily occurs in a supine and resting body position, i.e., when the intradiscal pressure is low. Fundamentally, this regeneration process is very limited, and with increasing age, wear and tear are very common, leading to pain and discomfort.

This is precisely where SpineMED® therapy comes in. Through alternating mechanical traction and decompression, a pinched nerve can be relieved (decompression), and a sponge effect is simulated in the disc area, which improves the local metabolic process and allows the intervertebral disc to recover naturally (regenerative medicine).