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Did you know that every movement of your spine may affect the health of your intervertebral discs? What's going on?
With changes in lifestyle, people's spinal health problems are becoming increasingly serious, and intervertebral disc herniation has become one of the common diseases. Intervertebral discs are located between the vertebrae and are responsible for absorbing shock and assisting in spinal movement. When an intervertebral disc is subjected to excessive pressure or external force, it may cause its annulus fibrosus to rupture and the gel-like material inside to bulge. This is the so-called intervertebral disc herniation.
The health of the intervertebral disc is closely related to every movement of the spine, which cannot be ignored.
Many factors may lead to disc damage, including age, injury, poor posture, and exercise habits. As we age, the moisture content of the intervertebral discs decreases and their elasticity weakens, which makes them more susceptible to damage. In addition, excessive lifting of heavy objects in a short period of time or maintaining the same posture for a long time may cause abnormal pressure on the intervertebral discs, causing problems.
Symptoms of intervertebral disc herniation
Symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on the location and severity of the injury. Common symptoms include:
- Persistent back or neck pain
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in limbs
- Pain radiating into the legs or arms, often accompanied by sciatica
- In some cases, it may also cause difficulty urinating or defecating
Herniated discs are often not easily diagnosed in the early stages because the symptoms can be similar to other health problems.
It is worth noting that many people may have a herniated disc without any obvious symptoms. According to some studies, mild disc herniation was found in the cervical spine in half of the subjects, even in the absence of pain.
Causes of intervertebral disc herniation
Herniated discs are usually caused by poor posture or excessive stress. When the spine is under pressure, such as bending over or sitting for a long time, the pressure inside the intervertebral disc will increase sharply, which may cause the inner tissue of the disc to break through the annulus fibrosus and then bulge outward. In addition, different life scenes, such as sitting at work for a long time or improper lifting postures, are potential factors that cause intervertebral disc damage.
Many professional athletes, especially in contact sports, are often subjected to a great deal of physical stress and are therefore more susceptible to disc herniation.
How to prevent disc herniation
In order to protect the health of your intervertebral discs, it is important to strengthen your core muscles. Maintaining good posture when sitting and standing, avoiding staying in the same position for long periods of time, and exercising moderately can help reduce the risk of disc injury. Experts recommend seeking professional advice as early as possible for pain or discomfort to avoid worsening the condition.
Treatment options after disc herniation
There are many treatments for disc herniation, ranging from medication to physical therapy to surgery. Most patients can choose conservative treatment in the initial stage, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, etc., and about one-third of patients can recover spontaneously within two weeks.
In some cases, if symptoms persist, further medical intervention, such as surgery, may be needed.
In addition to these methods, the importance of protecting the intervertebral disc cannot be underestimated. Proper exercise and healthy lifestyle habits will help extend the life of your discs and improve your quality of life.
Our spinal nervous system is extremely delicate, and any misuse or improper posture can cause irreversible damage. Have you begun to pay attention to the health of your spine?
