How to Prevent a Slipped Disc
By Sara Butler
The chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic firmly believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health and wellness. Chiropractic care does treat people who are injured, yes -- but it’s also preventative care to help you from becoming sick or injured in the first place. Slipped discs in the spine are a common affliction but are also preventable in a majority of cases. Here’s what you need to know in order to help prevent a slipped disc and keep your spine healthy.
What is a Slipped Disc?
Slipped discs can occur when the soft material inside the disc gets pushed into the fibrous outer lining. You may also hear this called a bulging disc or a prolapsed disc. It can be the result of an injury or it can be caused by repetitive movements over time. It usually goes undetected but can be a precursor to a herniated disc, which can cause an immense amount of pain and discomfort. That’s why it’s important to be aware of slipped discs and how they occur, so you can avoid bigger problems in the future!
Be Flexible
One of the best ways to prevent a slipped disc and keep your spine healthy is to stay flexible. As you get older, it becomes more difficult for your body to maintain flexibility, which is why it’s very important to incorporate low-impact exercises such as strength training and yoga into your routine. These exercises can help you keep your joints strong and lubricated to help stave off the effects of aging. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day as well, since this is very important to your spine’s health.
Practice Good Posture
In order to avoid injury, it’s important to be aware of how you position and move your body over the course of the day. Slipped discs can happen over time due to unchecked bad habits, which makes it important to be aware of how your body is impacted by the actions you take each day. If you have a desk job, then make sure to get up at least once an hour to move around. If you aren’t sure how your posture is, then have an assessment done by a chiropractor at The Joint to help you figure it out.
Questions? Come into The Joint Chiropractic today for an evaluation!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.