A herniated disc can happen anywhere in the spine, and can take you completely by surprise. One minute you are playing ball with the kids, and the next, you're floored by debilitating back pain. There are several things that can contribute to a herniated disc, some of them include:

" being elderly

" a sedentary lifestyle

" overdoing strenuous exercises

" being obese

" degenerative health conditions

" smoking

" previous back surgery

" working a job that requires heavy lifting, repetitive motions, and frequent bending and twisting movements

" sitting for prolonged periods of time

" poor flexibility in the spine

" weak core muscles

" poor postural alignment

Treatment Options for Herniated Discs

If you are one of the unfortunate people suffering from a herniated disc, take it easy, and avoid doing anything to aggravate the condition. But being sedentary too long will weaken the muscles in your midsection, and make back problems worse. Obviously, you won't be turning cartwheels after a herniated disc, but to prevent further back problems, get up and move around as soon as possible.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever and anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen work well to manage the pain associated with a herniated disc. Some OTC pain relievers can cause dangerous drug interactions, so if you are taking medications to manage other health conditions, talk to your doctor before mixing meds.

Drug treatments aren't the only option for treating a herniated disc. Acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and hydrotherapy can also be used to treat this condition. Most of the time, a herniated disc will resolve own its own, but in rare instances, this condition can be serious, and surgery may be required.

How to Prevent a Herniated Disc

Some factors that can contribute to herniated discs can't be helped, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of this type of back injury. Regular exercise and stretching can help strengthen the muscles in the midsection, and improve flexibility in the spine.

Eating a diet that's rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D can keep bones strong, and make the spine less prone to injuries. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are excellent sources of calcium.

Magnesium is found in foods such as mustard greens, lentils, broccoli, halibut, collard greens, celery, cucumbers, and strawberries. Enriched milk and orange juice are good sources of vitamin D. It's hard to get the recommended daily amount of vitamin D from food alone, so talk to your doctor about using supplements to help.

Some other things you can do to prevent a herniated disc include maintaining good posture when sitting, standing, walking, and sleeping. Investing in a quality mattress, and avoid lifting heavy objects. If you must lift things that are too heavy, find someone to help.

A herniated disc doesn't have to ruin your life as there are several ways to treat this condition. Talk to your doctor or chiropractor to determine which treatment option is right for your situation.