Herniated Disc Disease is a condition caused by damage to the intervertebral discs located in the spine due to injury or degeneration. This results in the disc rupturing and the soft cartilage inside the disc protruding and pressing on the nerves located behind the disc, causing localized pain such as persistent back pain, pain in the lower back extending to the hips or the back of the thighs. If the nerve is compressed, the patient will experience leg pain, numbness, weakness, or pain along the compressed nerve line. The more the nerve is compressed, the more the pain increases, and some people may feel pain all the time.
Causes of Intervertebral Disc Damage
The risk factors leading to herniated disc symptoms are daily life behaviors which play a significant role in causing premature body ailments and are most commonly found in the working-age group. It is also found in the elderly group, caused by bodily degeneration.
7 Behaviors Leading to Herniated Disc
1. Being Overweight
Allowing oneself to be overweight, especially with abdominal obesity, causes the back to bear excessive weight, leading to an arched back and the lower spine constantly bearing weight. This increases the chance of disc degeneration or rupture and herniation more easily than in people with a slim body.
2. Accidents – Carrying Heavy Loads
There are some accidents affecting the bones, such as sudden braking in a car or twisting sports injuries causing immediate disc tears, but these are rare. Accidents from carrying heavy loads that require using back muscles instead of leg and thigh muscles can cause the bones to twist and shift.
3. Incorrect Posture Usage
Office workers who sit in the same position for long periods without changing posture, sitting without back support, slouching, bending the neck, working for long hours, heavy physical work, and little rest—especially those who work in front of a computer screen for too long or housewives who bend repeatedly and lift objects without caution, or people who regularly drive long distances. To prevent the risk of the disease, it is necessary to arrange proper body posture, such as correct lifting and sitting methods.
4. Heavy Smoking
This is an important factor because heavy smokers have a higher chance of disc degeneration or herniated discs due to cigarette smoke reducing oxygen supply to the discs or spine, impairing their elasticity and function, which can lead to subsequent problems.
5. Lack of Exercise
This causes muscle atrophy and weakness, increasing the risk of disc injury. Therefore, regular exercise helps slow down the degeneration of spinal discs and strengthens and increases the flexibility of back muscles. Although exercise is beneficial, excessive exercise can burden the joints, as often seen in professional athletes who experience rapid joint degeneration.
6. Fashion Choices
Carrying a heavy bag on one side constantly uses the related muscle groups, causing shoulder pain because the muscles and bones bear too much weight, which can lead to spinal curvature. The appropriate method is to choose a lightweight bag, pack only necessary items, and alternate carrying sides evenly between left and right. Wearing high heels about 1.5 inches for women can enhance posture, but wearing excessively high heels may cause back pain due to spinal alignment abnormalities.
7. Sleeping in the Wrong Position
Especially sleeping face down to read is highly discouraged because it causes excessive abnormal spinal arching and can cause neck and back pain. Additionally, curling up tightly or sleeping with arms and legs drawn in can twist and deform the spine and cause muscle pain. The correct sleeping position is recommended to be lying on the back with a pillow that is neither too hard nor too soft, avoiding pillows that are too high. Watching TV or reading in a semi-reclined position, which many people habitually do by sliding down on a sofa or bed, causes neck bending that may lead to cervical spine wear and back pain due to spinal arching.
Additionally, age-related degeneration is another risk factor because the older you get, the higher the chance of degeneration. If symptoms are suspected, consult a doctor promptly for diagnosis and proper treatment.
