Since the start of the COVID pandemic many business and individuals have had to adapt to this changing environment. One of those big changes is the dramatic increase in people working from home. With this transition many people who have low back pain and herniated discs find it more difficult to cope. It is known that prolonged sitting can indeed exacerbate the pain caused by a bulging disc. Once the pain sets in, it can last for hours, days, weeks, or more.

So, how do you cope with working from home? Is there anything you can do that can help manage the pain? Can going to a chiropractor for low back pain and herniated discs help? 

We’ll learn more about these topics and more in the discussion.

What is a Herniated or Bulging Discs? 

Between the bones of your spine you have a cartilaginous material with a gelatin-like core, which are called your intervertebral discs. Essentially, these discs serve as shock absorbers and as connective tissue for your vertebrae. Whenever your bones move the discs help to prevent friction. Increased friction could cause extreme pain.

Herniated or bulging discs mostly occur among adults forty or older. However, it can also develop in younger folks who suffered from an injury or trauma because of repetitive movements, car collisions, and strenuous lifting.

If you have this condition, many aspects of your life can be affected. One key trigger for this condition is sitting for long hours. This is not recommended when you suffer from a herniated disc because it puts more pressure on the spine. When that happens you may experience symptoms like:

• Stabbing pain on your leg or arm

• Muscle weakness on a specific area of your body

• Traveling or radiating pain when you sneeze or cough

• Numbness in the affected area

What to Avoid If You Have A Disc Problem

Nowadays many people are working from home. If you’re one of those individuals and you struggle with a herniated disc, here are some things you should avoid to prevent your condition from getting worse:

• Sitting for the majority of the day– Even with a painful back, you should still do some physical activities such as walking, stretching, or even yoga. This way, you can prevent your muscles from getting stiff and sore. Start by getting up and moving around after every hour that you have been seated. 

• Getting stressed– Stress, anxiety, and other mental disorders can further worsen your symptoms as your body’s stress hormone reaches a high level in your blood. With stress hormones released, your body enters a fight or flight mode. This can contribute to the worsening of your symptoms.

• Gaining weight– Keep tabs on your weight, and make sure you aren’t inadvertently gaining some extra pounds. Extra pounds tend to strain the muscles on your back. It can also affect other muscle groups, such as your core.

• Smoking– Smoking can negatively affect your circulatory system. It can also cause the deterioration of your intervertebral discs.

• Lifting or sitting with an awkward posture– No matter if you’re lifting, sitting, or walking, you must maintain proper posture. This helps minimize the pressure on the affected parts of your spine and neck.

When Should You Seek Help for Back pain?

Pain due to bulging discs is intermittent for some people. However, there may be some instances when it causes severe and incapacitating pain. The stabbing sensation can sometimes radiate or travel down the legs, causing you to have a hard time moving around. The pain could last for a few days and eventually go away.

However, if the back pain persist longer, it would be best to investigate the condition further. This way, you can determine if other underlying conditions may be causing your problem.

Here are some red flags that you need to look out for:

• Persisting pain even after you rest

• Back pain that occur after a neck or head injury

• Pain that radiates or travels to your legs

• Unexplainable weight loss

• High fever

• Previous diagnosis of osteoporosis and cancer

What are the options for herniated disc relief?

It can be quite frustrating and depressing when you start feeling pain from your herniated disc during your work hours. It could throw you off and make it difficult to concentrate and do your work. Here are a few things that can help you achieve relief:

• Apply a cold ice pack –Use a cold compress to minimize soreness and help your muscles relax. Be sure to have a clothe between the ice pack and your skin.

• Engage in gentle exercises– Inactivity often results in more pain. So, even if you have slight discomfort from your herniated disc, you can still do light physical activities. Focus on gentle movements like walking and stretching.

• Seek a chiropractor for low back pain relief– the NUCCA procedure frequently helps ease back pain that stem from various spine structure issues such as herniated discs. It’s an all-natural approach that aims to address a common underlying cause of persistent back pain.

Call Horizon Spinal Care Today for Low Back Pain Relief!

Accidents and injuries tear loose connective tissues that hold the spine together, creating weakness and allowing the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position. These accidents and injuries can often be traced all the way back to childhood. Think back and you’ll probably come up with a few possibilities of your own. 

Utilizing a very precise system of analysis developed by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA), which is based on math and physics, Dr. Scheumann is able to calculate the precise reduction pathway or vector. This vector, unique to the patient, produces a corrective force necessary to gently bring the head, neck, and entire spineback into alignment with no “twisting” or “popping” of the neck. In fact, most patients don’t even feel the adjustment. As the correction is achieved the entire body is brought back into balance and stress on nerves from the body to the brain are relieved. 

Are you interested in trying a natural option for back pain and herniated disc relief? Dr. Scheumann will be happy to talk about how the NUCCA procedure could help your low back pain. You can call our office for a FREE consulting at 615-203-5111. We are locate right here in the heart of Murfreesboro.

Stay well and have a blessed day

Dr. Austen Scheumann