Pain

How to Prevent Herniated Discs

Written by Stacey Mullis, OTR/L, ATP, NPI-CPS | Aug 31, 2023 4:30:55 PM

Have you ever heard of someone saying they have a slipped or herniated disc? It's also known as a ruptured disc, and it happens when the soft center of the disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer. This can cause all kinds of issues, like pain, numbness, and weakness in the back or neck. It can be really painful and disabling, but it can usually be treated with non-surgical methods like physical therapy, medication, and rest. In some cases, though, surgery might be necessary to fix the damaged disc.

So, what causes spinal disc herniation?

Short Term: A spinal disc herniation can occur from an injury or trauma to the back or neck like a car accident, work injury, or a fall.

Long Term: Well, there can be habits or tendencies that over time break down the disc’s integrity also known as degenerative disc disease. This occurs when the discs in your spine become thin and dry due to wear and tear. The tendency to sit in poor posture can create muscle imbalances that reduce the stability of the spine and cause the discs to degrade over time.

There are also certain health factors that can increase your risk of getting a herniated disc. These include things like age (since our discs naturally become less flexible as we get older), a family history of the condition, being obese, and smoking.

How can we prevent herniated discs?

Good posture can help prevent disc herniation, as it helps to evenly distribute the weight and stress on the spine. But we all know how hard it is to maintain that good posture in our standard office chairs! Inevitably, our pelvis rolls back and we end up in a slouched posture for the majority of the workday, putting undue pressure on the discs.

What can we do if we have to sit for work?

Of course, movement is key. Taking breaks throughout the day, standing, walking, stretching, and exercising are all ways to give the body a break from the seated position. But what about when we have to actually work, and we want to maintain a good posture?  Look for an office chair that supports your posture from the base, not a lumbar support just filling the space in your spine. 

Anthros has the solution.

Anthros is the only office chair that supports the body at the base or the foundation of sitting- the pelvis.

Independently Adjustable Two-Part Back System

The low back pad can be adjusted to meet and support the pelvis in neutral. This brings the spine into alignment and the upper back pad can then be adjusted forward to meet the upper back, resulting in an effortless sit, improved posture, and decreased risk of disc herniation. 

 

If you are looking to improve posture while sitting, look no further than Anthros.

Anthros is the only chair in the world that is guaranteed to improve posture or your money back. The science-backed, patented design is registered with the FDA as a posture-improving chair and is proven to have the lowest pressure (most comfortable) cushion on the planet (verified by university testing).

Take the next step to reducing pain, increasing comfort, and maximizing performance!

 

References:

  1. SAAL, JEFFREY A. MD; SAAL, JOEL S. MD. Nonoperative Treatment of Herniated Lumbar Intervertebral Disc with Radiculopathy: An Outcome Study. Spine 14(4):p 431-437, April 1989.
  2. Lena Shahbandar, Joel Press, Diagnosis and Nonoperative Management of Lumbar Disk Herniation, Operative Techniques in Sports Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 2, 2005, Pages 114-121, ISSN 1060-1872, (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1060187205000067)