“What should you not do with a herniated disc?”

This sound on the surface like an easy question to answer, but in fact it is the most difficult to answer. Simple answer is Doctor's of Chiropractic are daily helping individuals with herniated disc and that anything that aggravates the condition should be stopped or eliminated. Then discussed with an appropriate professional. If the Disc is truly herniated it needs to be evaluated. However the process of evaluating any condition begins with the consultation. When did the problem start? What was the initiating incident that caused the problem? Was there in prior problems with the area of complaint including adjacent areas? In most cases there are additional questions. Then begins the examination which includes palpation, range of motion, orthopedic tests and possible imaging tests. All of these go into determining the diagnosis, need for additional evaluations, need for treatment and establishing a treatment plan. Finally evaluating effects of the treatments. This is a simplified statement of what need to be done for any condition and then now long it takes to receive results will become apparent.

Your symptoms are the limit. I currently have patients with a completely ruptured disc who have no pain and are living life to the fullest while I have patients with the smallest of herniations and are completely paralyzed due to pain. Best advice in general is to be active to the point of not hurting yourself. Daily walks for at least 20 minutes and sleeping on your back with pillows under your knees, sitting on a chair rather than the couch or the bed are highly recommended.

Avoid heavy lifting with bad form, avoid heavy weights with squats, deadlifts, and leg press if exercising. Do’s: get adjusted by a chiropractor that’s experienced with disc issues. Stay super hydrated. Get exercise recommendations for back and core strengthening from a professional.

Skylar Bakko, DC QNCP PAK BFM

Do not simply take drugs to mask the symptoms! Get examined to determine the extent of the hernia toon to see if Chiropractic can help to avoid surgical intervention..

This is a general question since I don’t know the status of your discs, your fitness status, your cardiovascular status etc. Anything that increases the pressure in your discs such as sitting especially bending while sitting, lifting, reaching away from your body, bending at the waist rather than the knees, twisting and lifting. I could go on and on.

Jay H Schwartz, DC, DIBCN, DIBE

Herniated discs respond differently depending on a lot of factors. Neck or low back is just one of the very important details missing from your question. In general, lifting heavy things, bending and twisting will aggravate a herniated disc.

Dr. Jonathan Donath, DC, MS

A good rule of thumb is if it hurts, don't do it. But please, avoid lifting and twisting at the same time. Avoid lifting with poor posture. Avoid inflammatory foods as well.

Should just live with it for one...get to a chiropractor. Avoid excessive motion of the neck or holding your head forward for a period of time; that increases the herniation and the pressure.

Never use a hot pack or prolonged heat (hot tubs, hot baths) to the area where the disc is herniated. Hot showers are ok. You should also avoid spinal flexion (forward bending/rounding your back). Try to avoid sitting as much as possible.