Herniated Discs Can Cause Lower Back Pain

Herniated disc - just the name brings shivers down my spine! More serious than a muscle strain it is one of the more common causes of back complaints. What is a herniated disc? How can it be treated? How can it be prevented? Discs are the cushion of material between your spinal. You have twenty three of these discs. Each one acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. Disc consists of a tough outer membrane and a soft inner layer. When too much pressure is placed on the discs some of the material can leak or bulge out and press against a nerve root. This is commonly called a pinched nerve. It’s this pinched nerve that causes the pain and discomfort.

Treatment: Although it sounds serious, many times the best treatment is rest, icing with an ice pack and taking a medicine like Tylenol. The good news is that only about 2% of people with this condition require surgery.

Prevention: Most back problems can be eliminated by using proper lifting techniques. Lift with your legs not your back and don’t lift more than you can comfortably handle. Degeneration of your discs is something that happens as we age. However by strengthening core muscles and preventing muscle imbalance most back injuries can be prevented.

One of the best systems for preventing and curing a bad back is the “Lose The Back Pain System” developed by a team of therapists and doctors at the Healthy Back Institute. Their of exercises correct muscle imbalance and at the same time strengthen core muscles.

As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort.