If you’re one of the millions who suffer from slipped discs, you know how debilitating they can be. A slipped disc can cause pain and numbness in your back and legs, make it difficult to walk or stand, and even affect your bladder and bowel function. But there is good news: You don’t have to let a slipped disc stop you from living your life. Here are five tips to help you manage your condition and stay active:
- Stay Moved
Slipped discs have a cushion that sits between the vertebrae, and they can start to degenerate over time. This can cause the disc to become displaced, leading to pain, numbness, and weakness. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem.
However, sometimes, exercise and physical therapy can effectively treat slipped discs. By staying active and keeping the spine strong, you can help to prevent slipped discs from occurring in the first place. And if you experience a slipped disc, you can often minimize the symptoms and get back to your regular activities with the help of a qualified healthcare professional.
- Keep Your Back Straight
One of the most common causes of back pain is a slipped disc, which can happen when the soft, gel-like center of a disc leaks out through a tear in the outer layer. While a slipped disc can be extremely painful, there are some things you can do to help ease the pain and prevent further damage. First, it’s essential to keep your back straight. This may seem difficult if you’re in a lot of pain, but it’s necessary to prevent further injury.
You may also want to try placing a heating pad on your back or taking warm baths to help relax your muscles. However, if there’s a lot of tension in the back and the pain is severe, home remedies might not help. In that case, you can visit a chiropractor for back pain relief. A chiropractor can help release tension from back muscles and joints to alleviate the pain and offer comfort. Moreover, the chiropractor can also help with information and guidelines to prevent severe pain in the future.
- Wear Low-Heeled Shoes
As we age, our discs begin to degenerate. This process is called disc desiccation, and it causes the discs to lose water content and become less flexible. As a result, the risk of debilitating and painful slipped discs increases. While there are many treatments for this condition, one of the best preventive measures is to wear low-heeled shoes. High heels place undue stress on the lower back, which can lead to discs becoming displaced.
Low-heeled shoes, on the other hand, distribute weight more evenly and help to reduce the strain on the lower back. Additionally, low-heeled shoes are often more comfortable and accessible to walk in than their high-heeled counterparts. So, if you’re concerned about slipped discs, choose shoes with a low heels. This simple step can help keep your discs where they belong and avoid a debilitating injury.
- Sleep on Your Side
Slipped discs commonly cause back pain and can severely limit your mobility. However, there are several things you can do to help prevent slipped discs from affecting your lifestyle.
One of the most important is to sleep on your side. This position helps to take the pressure off your spine and prevents your body from curling up into a fetal position, which can put additional strain on your back. In addition, sleeping on your side allows your muscles to relax, which can help reduce the pain associated with slipped discs. If you’re struggling with back pain, make sure to give side sleeping a try. It just might help you get some much-needed relief.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight
One common cause of slipped discs is obesity. When you are overweight, the discs in your spine have to work harder to support your body. This extra strain on the discs can cause them to become weak and eventually slip out of place. Even if you are not obese, carrying extra weight can still strain your discs. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy weight.
Not only will it help to prevent slipped discs, but it will also reduce the risk of other health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. In addition, being at a healthy weight will make it easier to stay active and avoid injuries.
To prevent slipped discs from affecting your lifestyle, it is important to wear low-heeled shoes, sleep on your side, maintain a healthy weight, and manage your stress. By taking these simple steps, you can help keep your discs where they belong and avoid a debilitating injury.
Meta Title: How to Prevent Slipped Discs
Meta Description: Slipped discs can lead to various problems that can impact your lifestyle. However, you can take various steps to prevent slipped discs.