In a world where working from home has become the new norm, many people who have herniated discs find it more difficult to cope. After all, prolonged sitting can indeed exacerbate the pain caused by a bulging disc. Once the pain sets in, it can last for hours or days.

So, how do you cope with this new work setup? Are there remedies that can help you manage the pain? Can going to a chiropractor for low back pain relief help? We’ll learn more about these topics and more in the discussion.

Herniated or Bulging Discs – A Brief Review

Your spine comprises of several bones connected by discs, a cartilaginous material with a gelatin-like core. Essentially, this structure serves as a shock absorber and a connective tissue of the vertebral bones. Whenever your bones move, they prevent friction, which could cause extreme pain.

Herniated or bulging discs mostly occur among older adults. However, it can also develop in younger folks who suffered from an injury or trauma because of repetitive movements, car collisions, and strenuous lifting.

If you have this condition, many aspects of your life can get affected. For example, if you’re part of the country’s working force, your condition’s flare-up can disrupt your routine. It can also render you incapacitated for hours.

If you have this condition, you should avoid its key triggers, such as sitting for long hours. It is a big no-no when you suffer from a herniated disc because it puts more pressure on the spine. When that happens, you may experience bulging disc symptoms like:

• Searing or stabbing pain on your leg or arm
• Muscle weakness on a selected area of your body
• Radiating pain when you sneeze or cough
• Numbness in the affected area

What to Avoid in Your Work from Home (WFH) Setup If You Have A Disc Problem

For many people nowadays, the remote arrangement is their chosen option to work. If you’re one of those individuals and you struggle with a herniated disc, here are some things you should avoid to prevent your condition from getting worse:

• Opting to stay sedentary most of the time – Even with a painful back, you should still do some physical activities such as stretching, yoga, or brisk walking. This way, you can prevent your muscles from getting stiff and sore. 
• Getting stressed – Stress, anxiety, and other mental disorders can further worsen your symptoms as your body’s stress hormone reaches a high level in your blood. With stress hormones released, your body enters a fight or flight mode. This can contribute to the worsening of your symptoms.
• Gaining weight – As much as possible, you should keep tabs on your weight. Extra pounds tend to strain the muscles on your back. It can also affect other muscle groups, such as your core. 
• Smoking– Smoking can negatively affect your circulatory system. It can also cause the deterioration of your intervertebral discs. 
• Lifting or sitting with an awkward posture – No matter if you’re lifting, sitting, or walking, you must maintain proper posture. This helps minimize the pressure on the affected parts of your spine and neck.

When Should You Seek Medical Assistance for Backaches?

Pain due to bulging discs is intermittent for some people. However, there may be some instances when it causes severe and incapacitating pain. The searing or stabbing sensation can sometimes radiate to the legs, causing you to have a hard time moving around. The pain could last for a few days and eventually go away.

However, if the backaches persist longer, it would be best to investigate the condition further. This way, you can determine if other underlying conditions may be causing your problem. 

Here are some red flags that you need to look out for:

• Persisting pain even after you rest
• Bladder or bowel issues 
• Backaches that occur after a neck or head injury 
• Pain that radiates to your toes
• Unexplainable weight loss 
• High fever 
• Previous diagnosis of osteoporosis and cancer 

What are the options for herniated disc relief?

It can be quite frustrating and depressing when you start feeling pain from your herniated disc during your work hours. It could throw you off and make it difficult to concentrate. When that happens, you can use the remedies below to achieve relief:

• Apply heat or cold – Use a cold compress to minimize soreness and heat to relax your muscles. You can apply this as often as you want to achieve pain relief. 

• Engage in gentle exercises – Inactivity often results in more pain. So, even if you have slight discomfort from your herniated disc, you can still do moderate physical activities. Focus on gentle movements like a back flexion stretch or hamstring stretches. 

• Seek a chiropractor for low back pain relief – the NUCCA procedure frequently helps ease back pain that stem from various spine structure issues such as herniated discs. It’s an all-natural approach that aims to address a common underlying cause of persistent backaches. 

Call a NUCCA Chiropractor for Low Back Pain Relief

The neck bones allow the head to move in a wide range of motions thanks to their unique structure. However, that same feature makes it highly vulnerable to getting damaged or displaced. Even with the slightest force, you may end up suffering from a neck misalignment. Once your neck is misaligned the entire spine has to compensate a head and neck misalignment. Consequently, this could lead to all sorts of problems, including aggravating your herniated disc pain.

Are you interested in trying a natural option for backache relief? Try consulting with a chiropractor for low back pain relief. You might have an upper neck misalignment that is leading to a cascade of compensations throughout your spine. Realigning your spine frequently allows you to minimize the pain you experience, especially when you work long hours at your desk.

Learn more about this remedy! Contact a NUCCA chiropractic practice near you today to book your appointment.

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