What are intervertebral discs?

Intervertebral discs are squishy cushions between your spine bones, like the padding inside a toy car.

Imagine you have a stack of building blocks, each block represents a bone in your back, called a vertebra. Now, if there were no cushions between them, they would all clack together every time you move, and it would hurt! That’s where the intervertebral discs come in. They act like rubber bands or sponges, allowing your back to bend and twist without making a noise.

Think of them as the padding inside a backpack, when you carry heavy books, they help absorb the pressure. Similarly, when you sit, walk, or jump, these discs help take the weight so your bones don’t get sore.

Sometimes, if you lift something too heavy or twist too fast, the disc can get hurt, like when a sponge gets squished flat and doesn't spring back up. That's why people might feel pain in their backs!