Call Now4 Things to Avoid If You Have a Herniated Disc
It’s no secret that a herniated disc can be painful. From mild aches to shock-line pain that radiates down your leg, recovering from a herniated disc—which often takes a few weeks—can feel like an eternity. If you’re suffering from a herniated disc, you should avoid activities that worsen the pain. Here are some everyday activities you need to avoid during your recovery:
1. Sitting too Much
While you need to rest and recover from a herniated disc, sitting too much can actually put more stress on your spinal discs and elevate your pain. This is especially true if you sit with poor posture and slouch forward in a seat. As you heal from a herniated disc, try to move around and stand up whenever possible. Lying down completely flat can also minimize the pain.
Since sitting is unavoidable, you can reduce the load placed on your lumbar spine by sitting up as straight as possible. You should also place a rolled-up towel or small pillow right behind your lower back to support it. If you sit at a desk for your job, consider investing in a sit-stand desk, so you can stand and continue to work throughout the day.
2. Doing Laundry
Even simply doing the laundry can aggravate pain from a herniated disc. From bending down to pick up clothes to carrying heavy baskets, many laundry tasks put pressure on your lower back. During your recovery, ask a friend or family member to take care of laundry chores until your back is better.
3. Vacuuming
You can easily irritate a herniated disc by vacuuming due to the repetitive forward lunging motion. If you must vacuum during your recovery, keep your back straight and walk the vacuum across the floor rather than bending your back and extending your arm. This method lets your legs do the work instead of your arms, so you can keep your back in a comfortable position.
4. Feeding Pets
The simple, everyday task of feeding pets can cause painful flare-ups in back pain due to a herniated disc. Bending down to fill the bowls with food and water can strain the back. If you don’t have someone else who can shoulder this responsibility as you recover, invest in a pet bowl with an extendable tube or a built-in reaching aid.
Experience True Comfort and Relief From Herniated Disc Pain
Most herniated discs get better on their own over time, and in many cases, nonsurgical treatments can help. If you’re living with a herniated disc and are looking for safe, effective pain relief without resorting to surgery or prescription medications, the medical team at Impact Medical Group of Lutz can help. We provide a variety of injections and therapies like spinal manipulation, flexion-distraction, and other therapeutic exercises that provide true comfort and relief. Call us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule your free consultation.