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How Spinal Discs Heal: Hydration, Nutrition, and Endplates

Spinal discs are one of the most fascinating yet misunderstood structures in the human body. Unlike most tissues, they don’t have their own blood supply — so how do they get the nutrients they need to stay healthy and strong?

In this episode of The Soft Tissue OT Podcast, we dive deep into the science of disc health and healing — exploring how hydration, nutrition, and the integrity of your cartilage endplates all work together to keep your spine resilient.

You’ll learn:
 🔹 How spinal discs actually receive nutrients
 🔹 The role of water content, diffusion, and endplates in spinal health
🔹 Why your spine feels stiffer in the morning — and what that means
🔹 How loading and unloading cycles promote disc nutrition and healing
🔹 Practical strategies to protect your discs long-term

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone managing chronic back pain, this episode will give you a clear, evidence-based understanding of how your discs really work — and how to help them heal.

#SpinalHealth #LowBackPain #DiscHealing #SpineRehab #Physiotherapy #OccupationalTherapy #SoftTissueOTPodcast #McGillMethod

 🔔 This episode contains a short message about the Soft Tissue OT Academy online course — an on-demand training program helping occupational therapists build confidence in musculoskeletal assessment, treatment, and rehab. Learn more at  https://stan.store/SoftTissueOTAcademy