A herniated disc can cause mild to severe back pain that significantly affects your life. When people with this condition seek medical treatments, they often explore various approaches to find the best solution to their back pain. However, there are some things you should never do if you have a herniated disc. Read on to learn all about the activities you should avoid.
Activities to Avoid If You Have a Herniated Disc
In addition to following the treatment that your doctor prescribed for a herniated disc, it is also vital to avoid certain activities. These include prolonged sitting, strenuous exercise, vacuuming, and others listed below.
Avoid Sitting for Too Long
Sitting for too long is never good for you, but people with herniated discs need to be specially careful because slouching in your chair puts more stress on your spine. You can ease some of that pressure with an ergonomic chair, but the best way is to get up every now and then to stretch or walk around for a few minutes. The National Institutes of Health has compiled a list of activities you can do to help you stay in good musculoskeletal health in the working-from-home era.
In addition, it is essential to keep your shoulders back, feet on the ground, thighs parallel to the floor, and your spine erect.
💡Pro tip: You can place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel in the lumbar area to support the natural curvature of your spine.
Try Not to Get Too Much Bed Rest
Although doctors recommend up to two days of bed rest after experiencing a herniated disc, you should avoid going over that amount. Too much bed rest doesn’t have any benefits, on the contrary, it may actually slow down the healing process. That’s why it is vital to follow your doctor’s recommendations for low-impact activities that can improve your condition and ease back pain. So, now you know, get up to get better!
Vacuuming Might Be Damaging
Vacuuming requires a repetitive forward-lounging motion, which can irritate your herniated disc. If this causes you pain, you can ask somebody else to vacuum or buy a robot vacuum cleaner to help you out. If none of this is an option, you can vacuum with your back straight, walking and pushing the vacuum cleaner in front of you. Let your legs do the work instead of your arms and back.
Try to Avoid Bending Over
Bending over is a guaranteed way to irritate your herniated disc and experience back pain. That’s why you should avoid any activity that requires you to bend over. This includes picking up items while cleaning up, feeding your pets, doing laundry, etc. You should also avoid any gardening activities, as they include lots of bending and twisting. The general rule is that if you can do it with your back straight, go ahead. If your posture needs to suffer, it will probably cause pain and slow down your healing.
💡 Here are some tips to bend over properly:
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- Look ahead without twisting your core.
- Maintain your head up, over your torso and your gaze to the front.
- Engage your core, diaphragmatic breathing is key to achieving this.
- Bend your knees.
Where to Get Help for a Herniated Disc?
Having a herniated disc can be painful, and that’s why it is vital to seek adequate help. Space City Pain Specialists, in Webster, Tx, is a medical center where you treat the core root of your pain, not just your symptoms. Our dedicated specialists have the experience to make you feel brand new. Click here to learn more about available treatments for a herniated disc.
