Herniated discs often occur due to age due to wear and tear of the vertebral bodies. This is favoured by overloading the intervertebral discs, which are then no longer able to cushion the strain. However, a certain proportion of herniated discs can also be caused by incorrect loading in many sports. The practice of sports that put a lot of strain on the back, but also jogging on hard surfaces can provoke the development of a herniated disc. Jogging with poorly padded running shoes and a wrong running technique lead to a strong strain on the vertebral bodies.
Symptoms of a slipped disc while jogging
The herniated disc often manifests itself as a typical back pain, which many patients cannot localize exactly. After all, pain increases with certain movements such as bending down, carrying something or even rotating movements in the spine. Some patients report a sudden onset and stabbing pain.
Other symptoms depend on the extent of the herniated disc, in which the inner gelatinous core slips from its original position. Neurological symptoms such as sensory disturbances in the legs or even tingling can occur when the gelatinous core slips so far that it presses on the adjacent nerve roots, thereby constricting them. In very extreme cases, even motor deficits of muscles and paralysis can occur.
Patients who are active in sports and regularly go running notice pain even when jogging. Every running step, especially with poorly sprung running shoes, generates an enormous vibration along the vertebral bodies. If there is then already a beginning damage to a disc, a herniated disc can develop. General information about the symptoms can be found under: Symptoms of a herniated disc
Influence on the cervical spine
The herniated disc in the cervical spine is less frequent than in the lumbar spine. The cause of a prolapse here is usually age-related wear and tear, which causes the gelatinous core and fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc to lose more and more of its elasticity. But younger people, especially those who are very active in sports, can also be affected by these complaints.
Sports such as jogging or back-stressing sports with abrupt twisting movements in the cervical spine can cause a slipped disc. When jogging, small cracks can develop in the fibrous ring due to the vibrations of each running step. This process is promoted by running on asphalt, where the ground does not give way and the load has a complete effect on the spinal column.
Patients can then develop neck and shoulder pain. Jogging after a slipped disc of the cervical spine is possible without any problems. However, one must bear in mind that the head has to be carried with a weight of about 8 kg when jogging, which puts considerable strain on the intervertebral discs of the cervical spine. Compensatory training of the shoulder neck and chest muscles is also necessary.
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