Herniated disc causes usually can be traced to the aging process. Over the years, the anatomical components of the spine are subjected to a great deal of wear and tear. Intervertebral discs begin to lose water content and become brittle. Ligaments begin to calcify and lose their elasticity. Cartilage that coats the ends of vertebral joints begins to deteriorate. Any of these examples of degeneration can jeopardize the stability of the spine. That said, other than occasional bouts of back or neck stiffness, many people with age-related spinal deterioration never experience symptoms. Pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness associated with the degeneration of the spinal anatomy usually arise only when an anatomical abnormality leads to the compression of the spinal cord or an adjacent nerve root.

How Do Sports Come Into Play?

While the aging process is the primary cause of a herniated disc and other degenerative spine conditions, some activities have been shown to exacerbate spinal deterioration. In particular, high-impact sports and games that require repetitive twisting and bending place a large amount of stress on the anatomical components of the spine. These sports include:

– Hockey
– Football
– Baseball
– Softball
– Basketball
– Soccer
– Golf

Does this mean men and women who lead an active, athletic lifestyle are more likely to develop a herniated disc or other degenerative spine condition? Not necessarily. There are many other factors that determine whether someone falls victim to a degenerative spine condition. These include genetics, overall health, and whether the proper techniques and mechanics are practiced during the course of playing a sport.

What an Athlete Can Do to Help Maintain a Healthy Spine

What does this mean for athletes? In addition to learning the skill set that ensures success on the field, rink, court, or links, people who participate in high-impact sports should:

– Warm up – A vigorous warm-up session ensures that muscles are relaxed, the joints are loose, and blood is circulating.

– Work out – Proper weight training ensures that the muscles of the back and neck can do their part to support the spine.

– Know when to stop – Recognizing when the body has reached its limit and taking a break is important, because most injuries occur when the athlete is tired.

What should an athlete do when he or she begins to experience back or neck pain? Certainly, a lot depends on the severity of the symptoms. Most back and neck pain is acute, or temporary, caused by a muscle strain or a ligament sprain. A series of hot and cold compresses, along with over-the-counter pain medication, usually is enough to provide relief while such injuries heal. Still, if the pain or other symptoms are severe enough to force someone to stop playing or practicing, it should be checked out by a doctor.

Communication with the Doctor

On the way to the doctor’s office, make a mental note of when the pain or other symptoms began, and whether it arose because of a particular movement. It may be that no one moment is identifiable. If, for example, you are a golfer, it may be that the repeated swing motion might have led to gradual disc deterioration. What began as mild back or neck stiffness may have progressed to radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and/or muscle weakness in areas innervated by a compressed nerve.

Regardless of whether the herniated disc is caused by a traumatic injury or gradual, age-related deterioration, communication between the doctor and patient is key. The more a doctor knows about the potential herniated disc causes, the more likely he or she will be able to formulate an effective treatment plan.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for the treatment of herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Herniated disc