More often than not, a spinal disc heals on its own. Other times, a damaged spinal disc continues to herniate. If you are dealing with a spinal disc that keeps herniating, it can be helpful to learn more about why this may be the case and what you can do to experience relief.
You Are Not Mindful of Your Posture
Poor posture is harmful for your spine regardless of whether or not you have recurring spinal disc herniations. With that being said, a common reason for recurring herniation is failing to watch how you sit, stand, and sleep. Reduce your risk of experiencing repeat herniations by:
• Not slouching when you sit
• Sleeping on a supportive mattress
• Not leaning excessively forward when using various devices
• Taking breaks when sitting for long periods
There are posture and lower back pain exercises you can do as well. If you are not sure how to do these exercises, consider working with a physical therapist. This is also a good way to get posture-related advice specific to your needs and areas of concern.
You Have Age-Related Issues
With age, spinal discs become less spongy. As a result, they are more likely to become damaged to the point where herniation occurs on a regular basis. There is also the possibility of experiencing related issues with bone diseases and arthritis that affect the spinal discs and supporting spinal bones. Minimize issues of this nature by:
• Consuming more dairy products to strengthen your bones
• Getting regular exercise that includes an emphasis on spine-supporting muscles
• Watching your posture
• Properly lifting heavy items so you do not overstress your spine in areas where discs are already weak or susceptible to herniation
You Are Placing Too Much Stress on the Same Area
The lower back area is one of the most common places to have a herniated disc. It is also an area that is susceptible to added stress and strain from various movements and activities. If you are regularly placing extra stress on your spine, shift where you put stress on your back. It can also be helpful to use a lumbar support belt or similar supportive accessories if you have a job that requires you to place stress on the same general area of your spine.
You Have Been Putting Surgery Off for Too Long
If you have not had surgery yet for the disc that keeps herniating, your doctor may recommend this step, especially if you have already tried various treatments for several months or years without much success. Having successful surgery on the affected disc reduces your risk of experiencing recurring herniations. Also, surgery for spinal discs is often less invasive than what was common in the past. This is especially true if you have a microdiscectomy, which is a less invasive form of a traditional discectomy.
If you have a herniated disc that is not responding to conservative treatment, a discectomy may be discussed and potentially recommended. Although this is generally a very successful procedure, having a large hole in the outer ring of the disc more than doubles the risk of needing another operation. A new treatment, Barricaid, is a bone-anchored device that closes this hole, and 95 percent of Barricaid patients did not undergo a reoperation due to reherniation in a 2-year study timeframe. This treatment is done immediately following the discectomy—during the same operation—and does not require any additional incisions or time in the hospital.
If you have any questions about the Barricaid treatment, ask your doctor or contact us at 844-288-7474.
For full benefit/risk information, please visit: https://www.barricaid.com/instructions.