Slipped disc is a condition where the vertebral disc has been misaligned, displaced, or partially protruded, pressing the nerves close to it and causing back pain. Most people experiencing slipped disc will start to feel pain on one side of the body and gradually worsening over time. Additionally, the pain worsens when one sneezes, coughs, or sits down.
Slipped disc usually happens when the connective tissues around the vertebral disc breaks down. However, the actual causes of the break down have not yet been identified. Common assumptions and beliefs say that aging and wearing and tearing of the body organs may be the reasons why people experience slipped disc.
As one gets older, the spinal discs become more brittle and less flexible, thus, they can easily get displaced. Plus, with these other factors and habits that add pressure to the spine, slipped disc will indeed be a possible ill-condition to aging and physically fatigued individual:
- Bending and twisting the body awkwardly
- Doing jobs that involve heavy and/or awkward lifting
- Doing jobs that involve sitting for long hours, such as driving and office work
- Being obese or overweight
- Smoking
- Playing sports or doing exercises that involve carrying heavy weights
- Suffering from a traumatic back injury, such as falling or being in a car accident
As chiropractors deal with many patients suffering from slipped disc, they provide the best advice on how to deal with such condition. If you are enduring the pain caused by slipped disc, here are some of the most effective ways to manage it as recommended by expert chiropractors:
- Identify and avoid pain triggers. There may be some activities or movements that when you do, can worsen the pain. You have to know what these activities are and avoid them as much as possible so that you can limit the pain.
- Reduce stress. When you are stressed, fatigued, or tired, your body weakens and the pain magnifies. Just relax and do some breathing exercises that will help you calm your mood and avoid feeling additional pain.
- Increase your fluid intake to reduce the inflammation. Additionally, make sure you are eating healthy foods and balanced diet, and, as much as possible, avoid fibrin consumption with proteolytic enzymes.
- Engage in heat and cold therapy to help stop pain spasms, improve range of motion, and enhance blood flow.
- Maintain correct posture by doing regular stretching and exercises that target specific muscle imbalances.
- Therapeutic massages, physical therapy, and rehabilitative exercises and significantly improve your condition and reduce pain. Consult with an expert first to identify the right massages and exercises for your condition.
- Have a regular visit to your chiropractor. Chiropractic care specifically aims to restore spinal and nerve functions. Make sure that you engage in regular spinal adjustments that will align your spine and remove vertebral subluxations that cause pain. You will be surprised that, in no time, you will be back to your active and healthy self.
- Finally, if your condition is somehow affecting your mood and perception, you may also consider seeing a mental health counselor. He or she will help you rethink and recognize your beliefs and expectations about yourself.
By following the above smart and practical pieces of advice, you will be on your way to fast recovery and health restoration.