A bulging disc is a common spinal condition that has varying degrees of severity. When a bulging disc occurs, the outer layers of a disc in the spine wear down and cause the inner layers to protrude between the vertebrae. In the least severe cases, people suffering from bulging discs do not experience any kind of symptoms. However, many people experience symptoms when the bulging disc puts pressure on a spinal nerve. The symptoms range from simple muscle weakness to paralysis. Because the symptoms can be so potentially severe, it is important to understand the causes of bulging discs, along with ways to prevent them.
1. Improper Lifting Techniques
If you work in an industry that requires you to do a lot of lifting, particularly lifting heavy objects, improper lifting can wreak havoc on the health of your spine. Making some simple adjustments to your technique, including lifting close to your body, keeping your feet shoulder width apart, bending your knees and maintaining a straight back, and wearing a belt or back support will make a world of difference to the health of your spine.
2. Excessive Smoking
When you smoke, your consumption of nicotine prevents your spinal discs from absorbing all the nutrients that they need from your blood. When they're not being properly nourished, your discs are more likely to be injured. Additionally, smoking increases your sensitivity to pain, which could make your symptoms associated with a bulging disc more intense.
3. Excessive Sitting
While excessive, stressful movements can cause a bevy of back problems, so can not moving enough. Many bulging discs come as a result of spending too much time sitting. Excessive sitting can cause the ligaments in the lower back to become stretched, which in turn causes the discs in the spine to become distorted. Taking regular breaks to stand up and walk around can help ease the symptoms of a bulging disc or other back problems. If you can't take these breaks, at least work on improving your sitting posture, ensuring that your head is directly in line with your neck, your spine is in a natural position (not slouching), and your hips and knees are at 90 degree angles.
If you're experiencing pain or discomfort related to a bulging disc, keep the causes listed above in mind. Once you've nailed down the cause, work to adjust your habits to be conducive to your back health, and consider visiting a chiropractor to help remedy the current problem. You'll be feeling better in no time!
To learn more, contact a company like La Mesa Chiropractic Center.
Share4 January 2016
After suffering with debilitating back pain for years, I decided it might be a good idea to finally meet with a doctor. I didn't want to beat around the bush with the issue, so I headed straight to a specialist who I thought could help me: a chiropractor. Even though it was my first appointment, my doctor was incredible and got to work right away on my problem. He took images of my spine and then talked with me about the results. I found out that several of my vertebrae were eroding, which was putting a lot of pressure on my spinal column. He made adjustments that made me feel a lot better right away. Check out this blog to learn more about how a chiropractor could help you.