Work in a job that requires you to do a lot of heaving lifting (such as a hospital aide) and you do not lift properly, or a job where you are sitting for long periods (such as a truck driver).Are overweight, which places extra stress on the lower back.You may have an increased risk of developing a herniated disc if you: Who is at risk for developing a herniated disc? Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes, which force the curve of the spine into an unnatural position.Change positions frequently when working or sitting for prolonged periods.Use a desk chair with a seat that supports your back. Set up a spine-friendly workspace, with the top of your computer monitor at eye level and your knees slightly lower than your hips when sitting.Avoid smoking, which causes damage to the blood vessels and can increase the risk of degenerative diseases of the spine.Reduce stress to avoid tension in your back. Stretch regularly to reduce stiffness and improve mobility in the back and hips.Strengthen the abdominal muscles to support the back and improve posture. Get regular physical activity, including cardiovascular workouts and strength training.Maintain good posture when you are sitting, standing, moving, and sleeping.Watch your weight, make sure to eat a healthy diet, and get regular exercise to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.Lift using your leg muscles rather than your low back, and avoid lifting while bending or twisting.There are steps you can take to prevent a herniated disc from developing or happening again. Stiffness or weakness in the legs if a large disc herniation presses on the spinal cord.Pain or numbness that radiates around the rib cage from the back to the front of the chest or upper abdomen.Thoracic herniated discs do not occur often. Worsening of balance with possible falls.Numbness, tingling, or weakness affecting the arms, hands, or fingers that may make it difficult to pick up or grasp objects.Pain that radiates down the arms and into the hands.Dull or sharp pain between the shoulder blades.Muscle weakness and/or numbness and tingling in the leg and foot, which can also make it challenging to walk or stand.Ĭervical herniated disc symptoms are similar but affect a different area:.Pain that radiates down into the buttocks, leg, and foot-a form of sciatica.Back pain which feels worse with prolonged sitting, standing, and driving.Lumbar herniated disc symptoms may include: Apply heat to his affected areas and help him get moving by enrolling him in a physical therapy and recovery program, too.The symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending on its location and severity. There are other things you can do to get your dog to a healed state faster. Teach him a throw-and-catch game with his pills, train him to take his medicine gently out of your hand, or train him to eat his medication with his food. To ensure he's getting his right dosage, train your dog to take his medication correctly. It's probable that your doctor will also prescribe medications for your dog while he heals. Train your dog to be okay with getting help with potty breaks, too. Train him to associate this new home with positive reinforcements like treats and cuddles. One of the easiest ways is to get him a new, suitable crate or enclosure that's both comfy and limits his movement. However, there are specific ways you can help him heal and train him to relieve his pain. If your dog has a herniated disc, your vet will likely diagnose and treat him for it. If you notice any of these symptoms in your pup, take him to the vet immediately! Your pup might also experience some more severe signs including lameness, loss of coordination, weakness, paralysis, incontinence, or even loss of sensation in his legs. Do you feel any abnormal bumps or lumps? Does it feel like there's something sticking out that shouldn't be? That's a good sign something is wrong. If you suspect your doggo might be in pain, (very) gently run your hand along his spine. It's also possible he'll develop a weird gait when he walks.

He probably won't want to play and will want to spend most of his time laying as still as possible. He also might be a lot less enthusiastic about moving. For example, he might have a strange posture, tiling his head down and rounding his back. Your doggo can start to carry himself in strange ways. This is manifested in a few different ways. One of the most common signs of disc displacement is spinal pain. If you're not sure exactly what to keep an eye out for, we can help. It's a pretty painful experience, so it's likely that your dog will be acting very differently. Odds are, a slipped disc in your pup won't have mild symptoms.

Stage 1 slipped disk xray