Intervertebral disc damage and spaceflight

Intervertebral discs are the cushions between each bone (vertebrae) in our spine. They keep our spine flexible and allow us to bend and twist our bodies. When a disc is damaged, it can cause pain and make it harder to move.

In spaceflight, astronauts experience weightlessness and this can cause the discs in their spine to be damaged. This is because without the regular amount of gravity that we feel here on Earth, the discs can be pulled away from each other, making it harder for them to do their job of keeping our spine flexible and protecting it. This can cause pain and make it difficult for astronauts to move around in space.