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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

To help prevent a herniated disk:

  • Exercise. Core-muscle strengthening helps stabilize and support the spine. Check with your doctor before resuming high-impact activities such as jogging or tennis.
  • Maintain good posture. Good posture reduces the pressure on your spine and disks. Keep your back straight and aligned, particularly when sitting for longer periods. Lift heavy objects properly, making your legs — not your back — do most of the work.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. Excess weight puts more pressure on the spine and disks, making them more susceptible to herniation.
Coping and support
References
  1. Chad DA. Disorders of nerve roots and plexuses. In: Bradley WG, et al. Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Butterworth Heinemann Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7506-7525-3..50117-5&isbn=978-0-7506-7525-3&sid=1063623544&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7506-7525-3..50117-5--cesec12&uniqId=221226396-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-7506-7525-3..50117-5--cesec12. Accessed Oct. 5, 2010.
  2. Herniated disk. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00334. Accessed Oct. 5, 2010.
  3. Herniated disc. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Herniated%20Disc.aspx. Accessed Oct. 5, 2010.
  4. Herniated lumbar disc. North American Spine Society. http://www.spine.org/Documents/herniated_lumbar_disc_2006.pdf. Accessed Oct. 6, 2010.
  5. Herniated cervical disc. North American Spine Society. http://www.spine.org/Documents/herniated_cervical_disc_2006.pdf. Accessed Oct. 6, 2010.
  6. JAMA patient page: Herniated lumbar disks. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:2512.
  7. Cauda equina syndrome. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Cauda%20Equina%20Syndrome.aspx. Accessed Oct. 6, 2010.
  8. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Oct. 6, 2010.
  9. Chou R, et al. Diagnosis ad treatment of low back pain: A joint clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007;147:478.
  10. Robinson J, et al. Treatment of cervical radiculopathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 7, 2010.
  11. Levin K, et al. Lumbosacral radiculopathy: Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 7, 2010.
  12. Dworkin RH, et al. Pharmacologic management of neuropathic pain: Evidence-based recommendations. Pain. 2007;132:237.
  13. Shelerud RA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 13, 2010.
DS00893 Dec. 18, 2010

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