Prophylaxis / Prevention

A bulging or herniated disc cannot be prevented in every respect. Genetic factors, weaknesses of the connective tissue and also injuries are nothing you can directly influence. Also, not all causes for the development of such disc weaknesses are fully understood.

However, you can help to strengthen your back and especially your back muscles by specific strength and movement exercises. Such a back training can be carried out well in a fitness studio with trained personnel, for example. But you can also do something for your back in everyday life.

Sports such as jogging, horseback riding, dancing and swimming are recommended, as they are a good way to put strain on the intervertebral discs and promote muscle building. Static sitting positions should be avoided in everyday life and especially at work (office work, for example). In the meantime, however, some ergonomic solutions are available to improve the work at the desk, for example.

Curability

A herniated disc is mostly treated conservatively and heals completely within four to six weeks. Conservative therapy includes, above all, adequate pain therapy (usually in the form of non-steroidal anti-rheumatic drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac), muscle relaxants (to relax the muscles) and physiotherapy and exercise therapy. Surgical therapy is less likely to be considered in the case of a disc protrusion. The reason for this is that surgery is not superior to conservative therapy and the risk of renewed disc protrusions (recurrences) is increased. Surgery can be useful if muscle weakness occurs due to trapped nerve fibers or very severe pain that does not respond to pain therapy.

Disc protrusion of the cervical spine

In principle, disc protrusions (protrusion) can occur at any height of the spine. The lower sections of the lumbar spine (lumbar spine) are most frequently affected; at the level of the cervical spine (cervical spine), however, disc protrusions occur rather rarely. The cause of disc protrusions here, as in other spinal column sections, is often due to overloading or incorrect loading.

Especially in the cervical spine, however, accidents (such as a car accident) with a strong acceleration of the head are also the cause of a protrusion. Depending on the extent of the disc protrusion, different symptoms can occur as a result. If the cause is wear and tear, the protrusion develops only slowly, so that symptoms appear only late.

These are then usually characterized by severe pain in the neck and upper back, which can radiate into the arms and fingers. Furthermore, numbness and tingling sensations in the arms and fingers are typical, as well as headaches, especially in the back of the head. Dizziness and ringing in the ears can also occur.

Even in the case of the cervical spine, therapy is initially conservative. Avoiding strenuous activities, such as heavy lifting, plays an important role. Furthermore, a healthy head and back posture should be ensured. Pain resulting from the disc protrusion is initially treated with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.