A herniated disk is a common problem caused by an injury or poor posture. Symptoms of a herniated disk include back pain, numbness, and tingling in the legs. The lack of support offered to the spine because of this condition can lead to muscle spasms throughout the body. You may also experience leg pain that can become difficult to bear in some cases. If you have any herniated disk symptoms, you need to see an Atlanta herniated disc specialist. They can recommend treatments such as chiropractic care and spine surgery. This article looks at some of the most common causes of herniated disks.
Degenerative Disk Disease
Degenerative disk disease occurs when the spine wears down. Disks contain a soft gel called nucleus pulposus. As you age, this substance can become more rigid and brittle. In addition to herniated disks, you may also develop bulging disks where the gel squeezes out from around the vertebrae.
When disks are damaged, they can cause pressure on nearby nerves. This problem can lead to lower back and leg pain radiating into the legs. If left untreated, it can also lead to leg numbness and weakness, affecting your bladder control.
Improper lifting
Over time, a herniated disk can develop from being injured by simple tasks such as lifting someone. In many cases, this happens when muscles surrounding your spine are too weak to support the actions you have asked them to do. When your back is injured during these processes, it becomes difficult for your body to heal itself because supporting structures of the spine are damaged.
Repetitive Stress
Another cause of herniated disks is repetitive stress injury. If you have to do the same actions repeatedly, they can lead to a strain on your spine that can damage it over time. Damage may be caused by manual labor or something as simple as working at a computer with bad posture. Your body does not have time to heal, which will lead to damage that can lead to a herniated disk.
Obesity
The effects of obesity on the back are well known. Carrying extra weight around can cause a strain on your bones and muscles that have to support this additional stress. When it comes to the spine, this can lead to a loss in elasticity and increase pressure on all organs contained within. And when a herniated disk occurs, it is likely to worsen if the fat grows.
Genetics
Herniated disks may be passed down through families. Different conditions may cause the disk to bulge without impacting bones or muscles, which play a role in its development. The best thing you can do to avoid this problem is to keep your back healthy and take care of it.
In summary, a herniated disk is a common condition that causes back pain. You can develop a herniated disk due to improper lifting, degenerative disk disease, and repetitive stress. Some people also develop the condition due to genetics and obesity.
