5 Everyday Activities to Avoid if You Have a Herniated Disc

A herniated disc can cause severe back pain and limit your mobility. It can make it especially difficult to go through everyday tasks. To better manage this condition, it’s important to avoid specific activities that can worsen the symptoms. In this blog post, we’ll list which everyday activities can aggravate your back pain.

Sitting For Too Long

Sitting for long periods puts more pressure on your spinal discs, which can worsen your pain. To minimize the strain on your lumbar spine, try to stand up and move around or lay down when possible. Keep your thighs horizontal to the floor, and use a small pillow or rolled-up towel to support your lower back.

Doing Laundry

Doing laundry sometimes means bending down to pick up clothes, carrying a heavy basket, and reaching for various items – activities that put a lot of pressure on your lower back. Many dry cleaners offer a regular laundry service if you cannot delegate this responsibility to someone else.

Vacuuming

The repetitive forward and backward movement typically used to vacuum the floor can irritate your herniated disc. Instead of extending your arm and bending your back, keep your back straight and walk the vacuum across the floor. Another option would be to buy a robot vacuum cleaner to do the work for you.

Feeding Your Pets

While it may seem like a simple task, bending down to fill your pet’s bowl with food and water is enough to cause a painful flare-up. If you can’t delegate this responsibility to someone else, consider purchasing a specialty pet bowl equipped with an extended tube or built-in reaching aid.

Strenuous Exercise

While it’s recommended to continue exercising, you should avoid high-impact activities or other movements that place too much stress on your spinal discs. Avoid routines that cause repetitive loading on your lower back, such as running or jumping rope. Avoid toe touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant back-bending. Instead, try aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, stationary biking, or hiking. Aerobic exercise increases the flow of blood, nutrients, and oxygen to the soft tissue in the back, improving healing and reducing pain.

By avoiding these activities and following our tips to reduce the load on your lumbar spine, you can minimize the pain and pressure on your back and promote healing. However, consult your doctor or healthcare provider as soon as possible if your back pain isn’t alleviated with these methods.

If you need more help, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Raleigh Specific Chiropractic. We’re committed to helping you live a pain-free life. Contact us today at (919) 355-5879 to schedule a consultation and embark on your healing journey.