Pain and Limited Motion May Signal a Herniated Disc
A very large number of people suffer from back pain and it is often difficult to know if it is something minor or more serious like a lumbar herniated disc. Pain from a herniated disc could go away on its own but it can also persist and become debilitating. Herniation can be caused by a specific accident or strain or it can happen over time as your spinal discs degenerate.
There are a wide range of symptoms of a herniated disc. Pain actually often starts in the legs and feels more severe than the pain in the back. If this pain is running along the sciatic nerve, it is especially important to talk to a doctor. Nerve damage is a real possibility, so get checked out if you notice sharp pains in your back or legs. Herniated discs can also cause numbness in your legs and feet or cause difficulty in lifting your foot when walking.
Don’t Ignore Throbbing and Dull Aches in the Lower Back
Other pain that you may be feeling include a dull throb in the lower back, pain when slouching when sitting down to do work, or pain when moving. Things may feel great when you are relaxing in a chair, but when you get up to move it may hurt a ton. This could also happen when sneezing or laughing. If you are having symptoms specific to a herniated disc, it may be a good idea to talk to a doctor or specialist to figure out if EMG testing should be done and to outline a good course of treatment.
It is always very important to keep your body as strong and healthy as possible to avoid such painful problems. The more active you are and the stronger your core and trunk are, the less likely you are to suffer from back issues. Also keep note of your posture and try to keep your back as straight as possible and lift using your legs, not your back.