The Most Common Causes of Herniated Discs and How to Avoid Them

Occasionally I am approached by someone who would like to post a guest post on this blog, and if I feel that it would be of interest to my readers I'm more than happy to oblige. Let's face it, that's less work for me!

So today this guest post article was provided by Paul Kowalski, who is the VP of marketing at Hydrocision. SpineJet is a proven new technology that harnesses the power of water for herniated disc treatment for chronic lower back pain.

I think this is very interesting stuff. I hope you enjoy it.

Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with a herniated disc? If you’ve been suffering from lower back pain for some time, then it might be a relief to finally have a name for your condition. 

However, now you may have more questions than answers.  How did this happen? Did it result from an injury or some repeated activity? Is there a cure? Could you have prevented it? Before you can begin to evaluate the treatment options that are available for a herniated disc, it is important to understand exactly what it is and what may have caused it. Furthermore, knowing the most common causes of herniated discs is also the best way to reduce the risk of it happening again.
 
Your spine consists of a stack of bones called the vertebrae, which extend from the base of your skull all the way down to your tailbone, or coccyx. The vertebrae design provides flexible support for your body while at the same time protecting the spinal cord, which is the central nervous tissue housed inside of the vertebral column. 

Between each of the vertebrae are discs that serve to cushion them from the constant impact of body movement. A “herniation” occurs when one of these discs ruptures, which can put pressure on the adjacent nerve and cause severe pain. Herniated discs are actually quite common and affect 1 in 3 adults. However, only 3% of those produce painful symptoms that require treatment.
 
So what causes an intervertebral disc to herniate? Unfortunately, Time is a major factor in disc herniation, as the discs in the spine naturally degenerate and become thinner with age. While you may not be able to turn back the clock, three are steps you can take to protect your precious discs from the following common risk factors for herniation.
 
Heavy Lifting
Many of the worst back injuries occur as a result of heavy lifting. When a person lifts a load heavier than what he or she is capable of handling, the back is the most vulnerable part of the body. Injuries caused by heavy lifting, including herniated discs, usually occur in the lower back around the fifth lumbar vertebra. Some people find that stretching helps to alleviate the pain caused by heavy lifting injuries. Others prefer water treatment therapy. You can prevent these kinds of back injuries by improving the strength of your abdominal muscles, always squatting down to lift rather than bending over, and avoiding 
heavy lifting altogether.
 
Athletic Injury
Athletes can develop herniated discs from experiencing a traumatic strain on the back or simply the daily wear and tear of their sports. If the ruptured disc pinches the sciatic nerve, this can result in shooting pain throughout the lower back and down the leg. Common treatments for sciatica pain include massage, application of heat, water treatment therapy, and rest. Proper training and stretching are the best ways to prevent sports-related herniated discs. Athletes must care for their bodies appropriately and not overdo it out on the field.
 
Repetitive Vibratory Motion
Truck drivers and large machine operators are at a greater risk of developing herniated discs due to the repeated up-and-down motion they undergo on a daily basis. The constant vibration puts tremendous pressure on the spine and causes the intervertebral discs to degenerate prematurely. Pain resulting from repetitive motion injuries is often treated with medication and physical therapy, and sometimes minimally invasive spine surgery may be warranted. People who do this kind of work should take frequent breaks and wear protective braces to support their backs and prevent disc rupture.
 
Millions of people live with herniated discs, and new treatments are emerging every day. Whether your intervertebral disc ruptured because of a back injury or simply due to age, you don’t have to suffer with the pain any longer. Non-surgical solutions are available including medication, exercise, and various physical therapies like water treatment therapy. 

If, after trying these treatment alternatives, your doctor feels that minimally invasive spine surgery is the best option, then be sure to ask him/her about SpineJet. SpineJet is a new hydrosurgery tool that uses a thin, supersonic stream of water rather than a laser or blade. This new technology allows the surgeon to perform major surgeries more quickly, safely, and easily and with fewer risks of complications than ever before. If all else fails, SpineJet may be the solution for your herniated disc.