Herniated Disc Prevention and Relief

When you have a herniated disc and/or degenerative disc disease, you already know how important it is to follow your spine specialist's instructions. This article presents some suggestions to help you recover and remain pain-free. To start, follow the treatment plan your spine specialist has outlined. Make sure you have regular spinal check-ups, and tell your spine specialist right away if you are not getting better.

Lifestyle changes are the best road to wellness. If you smoke, now is the time to stop, especially if you have spinal surgery in your future. Smoking negatively impacts the process of fusion and healing, in addition to complicating your respiratory function. If you are overweight, now is the time to lose the weight. Being obese can put additional strain on discs that already are compromised with herniation or degenerative disc disease.

Finally, patients who are obese tend to have more complications with surgical recovery. A diagnosis of a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease is not the end of your active life. Ask your spine specialist questions. Take time to learn, adjust to, and adopt habits that will help you preserve your spine for years to come.