CO Injury Treatment: Herniated Discs

N E W S L E T T E R

Give Your Herniated Discs Some Extra Support!

Back pain can develop for all sorts of reasons. From a car accident to bad posture, to an uncomfortable seat for a long period of time, back pain can come out of nowhere and cause no small amount of discomfort once it arrives. There are some back injuries, however, that are even more painful than your run-of-the-mill back pain. A herniated disc can present with no pain at all, or with severe pain, and is far more common than you may think. What is a Herniated Disc? Your spine is made up of a series of interlocking bones with small cushions in between each joint socket. The structure of your spine is what allows you to move freely from side to side. Every time you crunch your abdomen by bending forward, or lean to one side or another for a deep stretch, those little vertebral bodies move with you, keeping you comfortable and your back strong. Without cushioning in between each of those sockets, the bones would rub against one another with every movement, and this is called arthritis. When a disc bulges or herniates, the cushioning in between the vertebrae will become thinner, essentially decreasing the cushioning in between the vertebrae. Over a long enough time period this can become painful. This can become even more painful if the herniated disc actually begins to press on the adjacent spinal nerves, causing the pain to spread away from the original site of injury.

The most common location for a herniated disc is in the lower back. While it is not the only reason for pain in the lower back, it is definitely one of the most common forms of back pain. If you suspect that you may have experienced a herniated disc, it is important that you seek medical attention, such as from your physical therapist. A herniated disc has the potential heal on its own, and working with a physical therapist is one of the best ways to experience relief from pain and to be sure that this does heal to it’s full potential. How does this happen? The vertebrae in the spine are stacked closely together, with only a small amount of space for the discs in between each bone. A disc can become herniated as a result of injury, car accident, or even simply from overuse. One of the most common causes of a herniated disc is lifting with bad technique. Weight lifters have to be especially wary not to suddenly lift something too heavy, otherwise risk experiencing a slipped disc. But experienced gym-goers are not the only ones at risk. Every time you attempt to move a piece of furniture, a heavy box, or even a big bag of books you need to be mindful to lift correctly, otherwise face the risk of potentially herniating a disc in your back.

Look inside to learn more about our programs and say good-bye to your aching back.

Are you letting back pain hold you back? Call 303.745.0803 to schedule your appointment today!

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