Save Yourself From A Slipped Disc
The wrong posture and excessive pressure on the back over a long period of time, can also result in a slip disc
A slipped disc is a very rare occurrence among children but amongst adults, its incidence is quite high. And a number of factors are making today’s adults more vulnerable to back problems, including a slipped disc.
Orthopaedic problems can begin if you make it a habit of sitting in the same position at your office in the wrong posture. Misaligned chairs or even wrong typing techniques can give one serious back aches and discomfort in the neck and fingers. Also, the wrong posture and excessive pressure on the back, over a prolonged period of time can result in a slip disc, which is a serious cause of concern.
Nowadays, we tend to exercise very less and this causes our back muscles to become weak. So, actions like lifting or pulling a heavy object which puts excessive pressure on one part of the spine may cause a slip disc. All these factors like excessive weight, lack of physical activity and poor posture are also found in kids but incidents of a slip disc do not usually happen in children. However, it should be known that unfavorable lifestyle choices will eventually make children more vulnerable to suffering from a slip disc later on in life.
People today spend long hours sitting in faulty positions and do not realize the importance of motion and correct posture and this has a poor impact on the spine. In addition, if one is overweight and has weak back muscles, it can increase the pressure on the spinal discs.
A slipped disc can occur in any part of the spinal cord, starting from the neck to the back. Essentially, the spinal column can be defined as a complex network that composes of blood vessels and nerves. Therefore, when person has a slipped disc, these particular nerves and muscles are put under added pressure and the lower back is the most common area for a slip disc. A poor posture can easily become second nature, causing and aggravating episodes of back and neck pain and damaging spinal structures.
Tips For Spinal Health
- Sit upright keeping your spine and neck straight and aligned. Keeping the spine in a twisted or uneven position can cause pain in the back. Equally important is to keep the neck straight to prevent pain in the neck and problems with the nerves.
- While using a desktop, make sure your wrist is kept straight while typing, as bending narrows the space available for the tendon and nerves, putting pressure on them. Also, the elbow should be positioned at approximately 90 degrees.
- The type of chair you use can also make a difference. It should be based on an ergonomic design.’ Meaning, the back rest of the chair should end above the shoulder level. Also, the chair should have a height adjusting facility and lumber support. An unsuitable chair also contributes to poor posture, such as slouching and this puts pressure on the spine.
- The height of the chair should be such that you can rest your feet on the floor with that knees bent at a 90 degrees angle. ê Keep taking breaks from this position every couple of hours. Take a washroom break or just take a walk in the office to rest your back, neck and fingers from the strain of the same position.
- Also, keep exercising your fingers and wrists to avoid repetitive strain injury in the tendons and muscles. At least once in the entire day stand up and rotate your arms a few times both inwards and outwards to prevent the shoulder from freezing in the same position.
- Cradling your phone to your ear while typing should also be avoided as this can contribute to neck and shoulder pain.
Precautions After A Slipped Disc
- Reduce weight to reduce pressure on the spine.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen the back muscles which support the spine.
- Follow a physiotherapist’s advice about the right exercise for a slip disc – walking is the best exercise for such people.
- Avoid any extra pressure like lifting or pulling heavy things.