Flexion Based Movements This typically causes the disc herniation to put extra pressure on surrounding tissues, causing increased muscle spasms and potential nerve symptoms. Flexion based activities include bending down to pick something up, traditional biking, sit ups, toe touches, and deep squats.
People with a herniated disk should avoid doing strenuous activities during recovery. People should avoid all exercises that cause pain or feel as though they are making the pain worse.
What aggravates herndiated disc? A person with a disc herniation should avoid heavy lifting, sudden pressure on the back, or repetitive strenuous activities during recovery. People should avoid all exercises that cause pain or feel as though they are making the pain worse.
Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.
Most (80-90%) cases involving bulging or herniated discs will heal within 2-4 months. This of course depends on the severity of the injury, as well as your age and overall health. An important difference is that a herniated disc is a permanent injury that usually results in chronic, recurring pain.
Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.
Disc bulges are not permanent. The disc is a fluid filled structure and therefore has the capacity to heal, resolve and be re-absorbed.
It's okay to partake in gentle, healing exercises such as slow walking and swimming. For some patients, cycling is also a way to relieve herniated disc pain, but every individual is unique, so be sure to approach any new activity with caution and control. Sitting down for long periods of time is also discouraged.
Is cycling with hernia good? Yes, cycling is good for you. The special thing about cycling is that this type of back training strains and strengthens small muscle groups in the area of the spine.
While a stationary bike is generally more stable, there is still the potential for excess disc pressure if it is not properly adjusted. Bending, in general, should be limited or avoided as much as possible if you have a bulging or herniated disc.
Exercises that have a higher chance of causing or further damaging a herniated disc include squats, which can cause strain and pressure to the lumbar region while leaning forward; shoulder presses, which can cause strain and pressure from back extension (arching the back); and low back extensions, which can place ...
Daily walks are an excellent way to exercise with a herniated disc, without putting additional strain on your spine and causing painful symptoms to flare up.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have: Worsening symptoms. Pain, numbness or weakness can increase to the point that they hamper your daily activities. Bladder or bowel dysfunction.
Yes! Chiropractic care is the preferred treatment method for many patients suffering from a bulging disc. It is non-invasive and does not require drugs or injections of any kind. Chiropractic can help provide you with improved mobility, decreased pain, and overall better quality of life.
Treatment Options
Non-surgical treatments can include physical therapy or bracing to try and gradually ease the bulging disc back into its rightful place. When these conservative options fail, and there is still a lot of pain, a minimally invasive surgical procedure can be used to correct the bulging disc.
How long do these disc herniations take to heal? Most disc bulges resolve in 6-8 weeks, but it can take longer depending on the size of the bulge (i.e. if the bulge is hitting the nerve behind it like described above).
Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.
Start with ice to relieve inflammation. Apply an ice pack to your lower back for the first couple of days after the pain starts. On day three or four, switch to heat. Use a heating pad or an over-the-counter heat patch to help relax the muscles.
Massage helps disc herniation by reducing tension in the muscles around the spine. By relieving muscle tension, pressure on the disc is reduced, which eases disc compression. Regular massage treatment may even help prevent future disc degeneration.
Discectomy is the most common surgery used for herniated disc in the lumbar region. In this procedure, the portion of the disc that is causing the pressure on your nerve root is removed. In some cases, the entire disc is removed. The surgeon will access the disc through an incision in your back (or neck).
Heat Therapy
The application of heat can help ease muscle spasms resulting from a herniated disc. Since spasms in the large muscles of the lower back can be especially painful, heat therapy may be a smart option.