Is it better to sit or stand with a herniated disc?

Sitting for long periods of time isn't ideal for people with a herniated disc. A standing desk is a great option, but if you must sit, rest your spine firmly against the chair back, sit up straight, and don't slouch (which strains the spinal ligaments and aggravates a herniated disc).


Is standing or sitting better for herniated disc?

Pain while sitting is the primary complaint of many patients with lumbar spinal ailments, including those with discogenic low back pain and lumbar disc herniations (1,2). These patients typically achieve some degree of relief of their symptoms in the standing position.

Does sitting make herniated disc worse?

Sitting for long periods is not advised if you suffer from a herniated disc. It places more stress on your spinal discs, worsening the pain. You can maintain comfort by regularly moving around or standing up from your seat.


Does standing aggravate a herniated disc?

It's important to minimize the pressure on your herniated disc. Avoid wearing high heels, sleeping on your stomach and standing or sitting for long periods of time.

How should I sit with a herniated disc?

Keep your back flat against your chair, and also keep your shoulders tall with your head level over your spine. Keep your knees at the same level as your hips—or sit with your knees slightly above your hips if you are sitting at a desk. Keep your feet flat on the floor.


Sciatica with Herniated Disc? Best Way to Walk, Sit, Sleep, & Drive.



What should I not do with a herniated disc?

Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a herniated disc?

The best way to foster healing in these cases is to rest, avoid activities that cause pain, and take over-the-counter pain killers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms. During your home treatment, you can also: Alternate applying heat and cold. Stay as active as you can.

Is walking good if you have a herniated disc?

Daily walks are an excellent way to exercise with a herniated disc, without putting additional strain on your spine and causing painful symptoms to flare up.


How do I know if my herniated disc is healing?

Signs Your Herniated Disc Is Healing

Often, the most severe neurological symptoms of a herniated disc feel better first. Radiculopathy—sharp, shooting pain down a nerve and into an arm or leg—will be one of the first symptoms to go away, followed by muscle weakness along the path of the nerve.

Is resting good for herniated disc?

Rest. Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.

What can aggravate a herniated disc?

Excess body weight causes extra stress on the disks in the lower back. Occupation. People with physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems. Repetitive lifting, pulling, pushing, bending sideways and twisting also can increase the risk of a herniated disk.


How do you not aggravate a herniated disc?

Research shows that up to 20 out of every 1000 adults experience pain associated with herniated discs.
...
What is a herniated disc?
  1. Exercise regularly. ...
  2. Practice safe lifting. ...
  3. Use good posture. ...
  4. Rethink your sleeping position. ...
  5. Say no to cigarettes.


How long does it take for a herniated disc to reabsorb?

The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.

What is worse for your back sitting or standing?

"There have been some studies that measured the amount of pressure on the discs," says Dr. Atlas. "Not surprisingly, the pressure is lowest when you're lying down." But there is more pressure on the discs when you're sitting than when you're standing.


Does leaning forward help a herniated disc?

Your symptoms feel worse when you bend or straighten up from a bent position. Movement can increase pressure on the herniated disc and the surrounding nerves, causing symptoms to increase.

What are the symptoms of L4 L5 nerve damage?

What Are The Symptoms of L4-L5 Damage?
  • Sharp pain that begins in the lower back and moves down the leg.
  • Weakness in the leg with motion.
  • Numbness in the leg, foot, and/or toes.
  • Tingling and/or pins-and-needles sensation along the sciatic nerve.


What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?

A pinched L5 nerve root usually results in radiating pain in the foot. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.


Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc?

According to Spine Universe, chiropractic care is a non-surgical option for herniated disc treatment. This makes choosing a chiropractor to address problems with a herniated disc a viable option if you want to avoid undergoing any surgical procedures.

How much should I rest with herniated disc?

A herniated disc may require 1 or 2 days rest to alleviate pain. However, you should resist the temptation to lie in bed for days at a time because your muscles need conditioning to aid the recovery process. If you forgo exercise and physical activity, your body may not respond to treatment as well as it could.

What should I avoid with a L5 S1 herniated disc?

Generally, you want to avoid exercises that bend your L5-S1 joint forward or twist it out of alignment. The following exercises are not helpful, and should be avoided: deadlifts, contact sports, sit-ups, hamstring stretches, twisting exercises, golf, running, and any exercise that causes you pain.


How long does a herniated disc last?

The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever and limit activities that cause pain or discomfort.

Can you massage out a herniated disc?

Massage therapists can't cure a herniated disc, but therapeutic bodywork enhances the muscle health of the surrounding area, which can take a lot of the stress off the injured area, allowing it to heal itself. Circulation is stimulated, muscle tension is reduced, and the release of feel-good endorphins means less pain.

Does a herniated disc ever heal completely?

Herniated Disk (Slipped, Ruptured or Bulging Disk) A herniated disk is also known as a slipped, ruptured or bulging disk. It's one of the most common causes of neck, back and leg pain. Most of the time, herniated disks heal on their own or with simple home-care measures.


What do doctors prescribe for herniated disc?

Your doctor might also prescribe muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms in your back. And nerve pain medicines, such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), duloxetine (Cymbalta), gabapentin (Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), and tramadol (Ultram) are options to ease nerve-damage pain.

Are herniated discs considered a disability?

If a herniated disc causes pain and limits an individual's ability to move or sit still for long periods of time, he or she may be considered unable to perform unskilled work and would qualify for either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).