First Choice PT. Herniated Discs

MARCH 2019

NEWSLETTER

CONTINUE AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE FREE OF PAIN!

UNDERSTADING HERNIATED DISCS

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 would be incredibly painful. When a disc becomes herniated, the cushioning in between the vertebrae will rupture,essentiallydeflating thecushioning inbetween thevertebraeandcausing thebones tobegin to rubagainstoneanother.This ispainfulenoughas it is,but can become even more painful if the herniated disc actually begins to press on theadjacentspinalnerves,causing thepain tospreadeven furtherup thespine. The most common placement for a herniated disc is at the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. While it is not the only reason that pain can become severe in

the lower back, it is definitely one of the most severe forms of back pain. If you suspect thatyou mayhaveexperiencedaherniateddisc it is important thatyou seek medical attention, such as from your physical therapist. A herniated disc will not heal on its own, and working with a physical therapist is one of the best ways to experience relief from the pain associated with this common concern. 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 heavy lifting. Weightlifters 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 wary to lift correctly, otherwise face the risk of potentially herniating a disc in your back.

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