Your spine is compressed 30% more by sitting instead of standing. Sitting puts you at a higher risk for sciatica, a herniated or slipped disc, degenerative disc disease, and of course lower back pain.
Herniated discs (which are also called slipped disks and ruptured discs) can result from traumatic accidents such as vehicle collisions and falls, but they can also result from repetitive stress. This includes prolonged sitting while performing work-related tasks.
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
A herniated disc can cause pain while you sleep for a few reasons. First, when you lie down, the pressure on your discs increases. It can cause the herniated disc to bulge more and pressure your nerves. Second, lying down flat on your back may not be the best position for a herniated disc.
Rest. Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.
Repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways and twisting also can increase the risk of a herniated disk. Genetics. Some people inherit a predisposition to developing a herniated disk. Smoking.
The most common cause of disc herniation is a degenerative process in which, as humans age, the nucleus pulposus becomes less hydrated and weakens. This process will lead to a progressive disc herniation that can cause symptoms. The second most common cause of disc herniation is trauma.
Who gets herniated disks? People ages 30 to 50 are most likely to get a herniated disk. The problem affects men twice as often as women.
A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as one ages, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.
Damage or stress can cause part of the annulus fibrosus to weaken. This leads it to balloon outward from the spinal column. If the weakened cartilage ruptures, the nucleus pulposus can make its way out of the disc and onto nearby spinal nerve tissue.
A herniated disc can take longer to heal due to several factors. First of all, adults can have a poor blood supply that causes a delay in healing, or sometimes their body lacks the ability for complete healing. In healthy patients, a herniated disc does not take too long to heal.
While some people may think they need to stop exercising if they have a disc herniation, this is not the case! Exercise is recommended for people with a disc injury with the main goal of strengthening the muscles of the back to support the spine.
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven't helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
Nine out of ten individuals with a herniated disc can heal their condition through non-invasive procedures. If you want to explore conservative options for recovery, chiropractic care is an excellent place to start. A chiropractor can help you heal naturally and relieve your pain.
Stretching should be done carefully. It's important also to do the right types of stretches since some types actually make your disc herniation worse. Before beginning any exercise routine, it's always a good idea to consult with your pain management physician.
Depending on the severity of the disc herniation, most heal within two to 12 weeks.
As a result, herniated discs can take a long time to heal. of the time, pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months without surgery. However, it commonly takes up to six weeks for lumbar discs to recover from herniation.
Disc herniations are painful, permanent injuries that require a substantial settlement value due to the seriousness of the injury.
The first two stages of disc herniation (disc protrusion and prolapsed disc), are incomplete herniations. During these two stages, the gel-like substance called the nucleus hasn't yet leaked through the outer layer. Instead, the nucleus puts pressure on the outer tissues and causes the disc to protrude.
Pain that radiates below the knee is a red flag for a herniated disc or nerve root compression below the L3 nerve root. This is based on the dermatomal distribution of the nerve roots and the fact that the pain associated with inflammation radiates along the entire pathway of the nerve.
Living with a herniated disc
If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if you feel worse, talk with your doctor. Sometimes it takes surgery to relieve pain. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: Trouble going to the bathroom.