One of the best treatments for the symptoms of a herniated disc is stretching exercises. By gently stretching the muscles in the back, their flexibility is improved, helping them stabilize the disc herniation area. Overall endurance and circulation are also improved with herniated disc exercises, and symptoms improve.
What is the best exercise for herniated disc?
A doctor will usually recommend a few days of rest after experiencing a herniated disk. Doing gentle activities and exercises will strengthen the muscles that support the spine and reduce pressure on the spinal column.
Gentle activities that can help with a herniated disk include:
- yoga.
- swimming.
- walking.
- cycling.
What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc in the lower back?
Nonsurgical treatment may include:
- Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.
- Physical therapy.
- Epidural steroid injection.
What activities should you avoid with a herniated disc?
Everyday Activities to Avoid with Herniated Disc
- Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat.
- Doing laundry.
- Vacuuming.
- Feeding a pet.
- Strenuous exercise.
- Shoveling snow or gardening.
- Learn more:
Can exercise fix a herniated disc? – Related Questions
Can stretching make herniated disc worse?
Stretching is actually one of the best ways to minimize and prevent ongoing leg pain from a herniated disc. Hamstring stretching can help decrease the tension across your lower back, and this provides the herniated disc with a better environment to heal.
What makes a disc herniation worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
How do you stay active with a herniated disc?
You don’t need to endure an intense cardio program or lift heavy weights—simple stretching and aerobic exercises can effectively control your herniated disc pain. Stretching programs like yoga and Pilates improve strength and flexibility, and offer relief of acute pain in your leg and low back.
Does lying down make herniated disc worse?
A herniated disc can cause pain while you sleep for a few reasons. First, when you lie down, the pressure on your discs increases. It can cause the herniated disc to bulge more and pressure your nerves. Second, lying down flat on your back may not be the best position for a herniated disc.
Should I avoid sitting with herniated disc?
Avoid Sitting Too Much
Sitting for long periods is not advised if you suffer from a herniated disc. It places more stress on your spinal discs, worsening the pain. You can maintain comfort by regularly moving around or standing up from your seat.
What foods to avoid when you have a herniated disc?
There are many foods that you will need to avoid.
- Sugary Foods. Sugary foods are among the worst foods that you can eat.
- Vegetable Oil. Most vegetables are high in omega 6 fatty acids.
- Refined Grains. It is best to eat whole grains instead of refined grains.
- Dairy Products.
- Processed Corn.
- Red Meat.
- Foods With Chemicals.
Does drinking water help herniated disc?
Yes, drinking water can help prevent degenerative disc disease. If you do not drink enough water, your spinal discs will not adequately rehydrate after water leaks out during the day. This means the discs become smaller and less functional, which increases the risk of injury to the collagen fibers in the disc.
Does vitamin D help herniated disc?
Glial cells have glutamate receptors that are important in the process of nociception [220–224]. Therefore, vitamin D, through its immunoregulatory properties, affects another important cell population that is inflamed in disc herniation, either through suppressing neurotoxic agents or by its action on neurotrophins.
Can massage make herniated disc worse?
“There are some types of back pain that can get worse when you get a massage,” says Walsh. Specifically, he says, sciatica (sudden-onset pain that extends down the back and into the butt or legs) stemming from a herniated disc can be aggravated by deep tissue stimulation.
What does chiropractor do for herniated disc?
To treat a herniated disc, your chiropractor will develop a treatment plan that may include spinal manipulation—also known as adjustments—and other chiropractic techniques to help ease your herniated disc symptoms.
What is better for herniated disc heat or ice?
Which is used first, heat or ice, when treating pain from a slipped disk? Heat and ice can be used to treat the symptoms of pain associated with the muscle spasm from a cervical herniated disc. As a general rule, use ice for the first 24 hours after this injury and then use whichever feels better after that.
Should you put heat on a herniated disc?
Heat Therapy
The application of heat can help ease muscle spasms resulting from a herniated disc. Since spasms in the large muscles of the lower back can be especially painful, heat therapy may be a smart option.
Should you massage a herniated disc?
Deep Tissue Massage: There are more than 100 types of massage, but deep tissue massage is an ideal option if you have a herniated disc because it uses a great deal of pressure to relieve deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.
Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?
According to Spine Universe, chiropractic care is a non-surgical option for herniated disc treatment. This makes choosing a chiropractor to address problems with a herniated disc a viable option if you want to avoid undergoing any surgical procedures.
