Causes of Herniated Disc – Are You Vulnerable?

Herniated disc is one of the most common causes of back pain – especially severe back pain.  The reason a herniated disc can be so painful is it actually contact or irritates a nerve.  One common nerve affected is the sciatica nerve running from the lower back to the feet (in both legs).

Herniated discs are most common in the lower back; however,  herniated discs in the neck also frequently occur.

Herniated Disc Causes

There are many causes of a herniated disc.  Some of the more common causes include:

  • Aging. As we age our soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and vertebral discs) become more brittle and weaken.  Naturally weaker vertebral discs are more more susceptible to herniation.
  • Trauma such as a car accident, trip and fall, or assault. Sudden, violent pressure can herniate a disc immediately.
  • Sedentary life. When core and back muscles weaken, the spine is more susceptible to misalignment.  This then places unusual pressure on the vertebrae and thus the vertebral discs.  Over the long-term, this can result in a herniated disc.
  • Poor posture when sitting, walking, or standing. If you spend much time in  a position that is not the spine’s natural curvature, then the spine can misalign over time resulting in a herniated disc.
  • Physical jobs such as hardwood floor installer or drywaller where the back is in hunched and awkward positions for long periods of time.  Many workers who do labouring jobs end up with back pain including a herniated disc.  The reason is the spine is placed for long periods of time in awkward, unnatural positions which can misalign the spine in time.
  • A bulging disc can progress to become herniated. This is why if you experience even the slightest back pain, it is a good idea to visit your doctor.  If you have a slight bulge, you can work toward correcting it.
  • Weakening of core and back muscles. This can result in a muscle imbalance which then places pressure on a vertebrae which over time can result in a bulging or herniated disc.
  • Degenerative disc disease. Just as the term states, your disc degenerates or weakens so that it is susceptible to herniation.
  • Smoking. Smoking dries out soft tissue including the vertebral discs.  When tissue dries, it’s brittle – especially the discs.  Brittle discs are more susceptible to herniation.
  • Poor diet. The health of your soft tissue is in large part influenced by diet.  If you eat nutrient-rich foods that nourish and hydrate soft tissue, you promote healthy vertebral discs.  Poor diets thus can do the opposite.
  • Poor lifting technique – over time or a single incident.  One single movement, such as a bending over, can herniate a disc.  The more weight you lift with improper lifting technique, the bigger the chance of herniating a disc.  Older people are more vulnerable than younger people – but people of all ages can suffer a herniated disc.

Often a herniated disc results from a combination of the above.  For example, someone who lives a sedentary life whose core and back muscles are not strong is then in a car accident.  The car accident may not even be very violent, but is enough trauma to place sufficient pressure to a vertebrae that then cause a herniated disc.

Another example may be a person who has a desk job, isn’t very active, has mediocre posture and then decides to help a friend move on the weekend.  This person hasn’t lifted more than 20 pounds in months.  Suddenly, he is lifting 50 pounds and more.  Any bad lift could easily result in a herniated disc.

Fortunately there are herniated disc treatment options available.  In fact, there are many to pursue.  Not all may work for you.  You may have to try several herniated disc treatment options before enjoying some respite from the pain.

Causes of Herniated Disc Video:

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Herniated Disc Prevention – How Are You Doing?

Regrettably most people take a pain-free back for granted.  Little thought is given to “what if I suddenly have daily back pain?”.  I do think about the real possibility we all have with developing back pain because I work with people suffering with daily back pain.  I know how debilitating it can be.

Hence, I’m very interested in techniques to prevent back pain.  Specifically, herniated disc prevention.  Why a herniated disc?  Because it’s one of the most common and painful back pain problems.  Also, it’s preventable to some degree.

We’re all vulnerable to a herniated disc.  Few of us have perfect posture.  Most of us drive in vehicles where a severe car accident could happen any time.  We could trip and fall and jar our back any time as well.  And yes, we’re all aging which weakens our muscles and the protective disc layer that maintains vertebral disc shape.

However, just because it’s possible to suffer a herniated disc does not mean there is no reason to take some simple steps to promote a healthy back and herniated disc prevention.  It’s actually pretty simple to promote a healthy back.  Consider these options:

Yoga or a stretching program.

Yoga is an outstanding activity for promoting a healthy back.  Start of gently because, yes, people do get hurt doing yoga.  Stretching the back muscles and spine creates space over time between the vertebrae.  It also helps align the spine correctly.  Many yoga postures also strengthen core and back muscles which promotes a healthy back.

Swimming

There’s hardly some form of health advocate that doesn’t suggest swimming.  Swimming is a terrific low impact physical activity that works out both your upper body and lower body.  When you swim you also use your core and back muscles which strengthens them for better spine support.  At the end of the day, any activity that strengthens core muscles will be great for promoting a healthy back.

Another option are water-based exercise programs.  These too are very low impact and can do wonders in promoting a healthy back.

Pilates

I like swimming and yoga; I’m not familiar with Pilates.  However, I do know Pilates is all about strengthening the core.  Therefore, it is a physical activity that promotes a healthy back.

Walking

At the end of the day, even gentle activity like walking is good for promoting a healthy back.  Many people live extremely sedentary lives.  If you do no physical activity, simply walking 30 minutes 3 times a week will improve your physical condition considerably.

Elliptical Trainer Workouts

I love using an elliptical trainer when the weather is bad.  I like it because it’s low impact and works out both my upper and lower body at the same time.  You actually also work out your core muscles as well as your legs and arms stride in opposite directions.

Improved Posture

Work on improving your posture when sitting and standing.  Be mindful of it.  Over time an improved posture will become habitual.

Drink Water, Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is important to overall health – back health included.  The outer layer of the vertebral disc is comprised partly of water.  As you age, your tissues dry out and thereby weakening.  You can minimize the drying out by being mindful about staying hydrated.

Reduce Stress

Have you ever felt knots in your back?  I know I have.  They result from stress – both emotional and physical.  I’m left-handed, so I get them a bit worse on the left side.  Knots also develop from emotional stress.  When stressed or in fear, muscles contract.  It’s the fight or flight response.  Our muscles are built for some contraction, but constant or frequent contraction can result in knots.  This constant contraction can place additional stress to the spine and vertebrae which in turn stress the discs.  Ongoing stress to the discs is what can ultimately result in a herniated disc.

The good news is that the other activities listed above can help reduce stress.

Proper Lifting Technique

We all know it’s best to lift with our legs.  Yes, it seems so much easier to bend at the waist, but do so at your own peril.  Making it a habit to bend at the knees could save you a herniated disc.

Quit Smoking

Smoking dries out our tissues.  It’s very stressful to all our organs.  If the outer layer of the vertebral disc dries, it’s weaker and is more susceptible to herniation.

Lose Excess Weight

Excess weight places more pressure on your spine and vertebrae.  This in turn places more pressure on your vertebral discs that in time can cause a herniated disc.  Every pound you lose, the less pressure you place on your spine.  Not only does the excess weight place more pressure on your spine, but it can actually misalign your spine which increases the chance of getting a herniated disc.

Here’s the deal.  You don’t have to start an olympian exercise regimen to promote a healthy back and pursue herniated disc prevention.  Yoga one or two times each week for 15 to 30 minutes each time is sufficient.  Yes, more may be better, the biggest bang for your back is the little bit you do consistently.  Start with short programs – whatever you decide to do.  If you start with a 90 minute killer yoga or swimming routine, you’ll quit.  I know I would.  I’ve been into fitness for years, but I still do only moderate long routines.  I opt instead for variety in short durations.

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All About Having a Herniated Disc

Many people believe that a herniated disc and a bulging disc are the same, but they are actually quite different. When you’re looking for a herniated disc treatment it’s important to understand that these occur from a traumatic event. Granted, it can be a simple twist the wrong way just as much as an auto accident. Bulging discs develop over time due to age, genetics, and a few other problems.

What is a Herniated Disc?

This is basically a tear in the disc that allows the softer area to protrude through it. When this happens it can put pressure on the nerves around the area and even the spinal cord can become pinched, which creates pain and discomfort. In order to resolve the issue it’s important to figure out why this is occurring and what steps need to be taken in order to overcome it.

The Causes

Figuring out the cause is essential before you look for a herniated disc treatment. The most common contributor is getting in an auto accident. Well, it’s what people know anyways. It’s possible that your job could be the cause as well. We’ve seen truckers come in time and time again with herniated discs that developed because of the constant strain on their back. Even though over-the-road isn’t a strenuous job physically, the continuous bouncing up and down ending up being the problem.

There are also some individuals who already have spinal stenosis, which deals with the spaces becoming narrower around the spinal cord. If you end up getting a herniated disc while enduring spinal stenosis this area will get even smaller. The end result is pinching the nerve or putting too much pressure on the area. This will cause your mobility to diminish and create various symptoms.

The Symptoms

A lack of mobility is definitely a huge issue, but there are other symptoms that can be just as annoying. Muscle weakness is probably one of the most predominant problems out there. It’s due to the lack of signals running from the brain to other parts of the body. Think of it like pinching off a garden hose so no more water comes out the nozzle. Only in this case your brain can’t get signals through to different parts of the body, especially the legs.

However, the numbness or tingling sensation most people have to deal with when they endure a herniated disc can be quite annoying. Just remember that if you ever have to deal with that then your disc could be pinching or putting pressure on the nerve. It’s possible you will have to deal with some electric shock pain as well. This is where those sensations come out of nowhere and tend to be a little more intense.

The Treatments

The basic herniated disc treatment would be some sort of prescribed medication. It usually revolves around a pain reliever as well as an anti-inflammatory drug. Even though this can be helpful there are possible side effects that can occur, and they may not even work. It’s a trial and error process, but if you’re dealing with major pain you don’t want this to go on for an extended period of time.

Since there is pressure around the nerve root, exercise regimens are very common solutions. Again, these take some time, but over the course of a day they can definitely help your mobility. This type of herniated disc treatment isn’t a full proof solution, but it does help with the pain. If medications and exercise don’t work, your next step might be getting cortisone shots from time to time.

There is also surgery when all else fails, but a herniated disc treatment doesn’t always have to be traditional. There are alternative methods that have a higher success rate and they’re safer. We have plenty of them to share with you so this issue will go away. Plus, you can take advantage of a proper diet and strengthening your back and stomach muscles to help with the situation.

Click here to read my comprehensive article on herniated disc treatment.

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