Millions of Americans get herniated discs each year. It’s one of the most common causes of neck pain and lower back pain, and it’s a spinal injury that happens when the soft, jelly-like center (nucleus) of a spinal disc pushes through its tougher outer casing (annulus) and presses on nearby nerves.
Common symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of the affected nerve. And even though herniated discs are treatable, there’s a risk of recurrence — even after your body has healed.
Your risk of herniated disc recurrence varies based on factors like the original type and severity of herniation, any ongoing disc degeneration, and lifestyle factors like heavy lifting or smoking. Knowing these risk factors makes prevention realistic, and our team is here to help you find a strategy that fits your needs.
Eric Fanaee, MD, specializes in treatment for herniated discs in Copiague, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York. Here are four tips to help protect your spine and reduce your chances of suffering another disc herniation.
Your spine depends on strong supporting muscles in your abdomen, back, hips, and pelvis to absorb shock and distribute weight. Recovery from a herniated disc often involves working with a physical therapist to build strength in your core and back, and working to maintain that strength can help lower your risk of future injury.
Under the guidance of a physical therapist, you can incorporate core strengthening exercises like planks, bird-dogs, pelvic tilts, and bridges into your routine. Focusing on whole-body strength training balances your body and helps prevent excess pressure on any one disc or vertebral level.
Your risk of herniated disc recurrence goes up when you expose your spine to repeated strain. This can happen when lifting or bending improperly, twisting under load, or maintaining poor postures for long periods, like slouching at your desk with a rounded back.
Learning how to move safely helps protect your spine, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Always lift with your legs (that means bending your knees, not your back), avoid twisting while lifting, and reset your posture often. When you can, add gentle movement to your day rather than staying sedentary, because prolonged sitting increases strain on certain discs.
Certain lifestyle factors can contribute to your risk of herniated disc, and being aware of how these factors affect you can help you protect your health. First and foremost, prioritize recovery the first time you experience a herniated disc.
Give your body time to heal after injury or surgery. That means following up with physical therapy, not skipping home exercises, and not rushing back into high-impact or heavy-lifting activities. Use ice and heat as advised, and rest when necessary.
As you get back to your daily life, strive to maintain a healthy weight. Extra body mass increases compression on discs, especially in your lower back. And if you smoke, take steps to quit. Smoking reduces blood flow and slows disc healing, while quitting can help your body heal faster and more effectively.
Having a medical specialist — specifically a spine doctor or interventional pain specialist like Dr. Fanaee — is one of the best ways to promote long-term back health. We offer comprehensive care for herniated discs, and we work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs.
We diagnose herniated discs through clinical evaluations and imaging when needed, and we can continue to monitor your disc health after the original injury heals. Depending on your situation, we can recommend or administer conservative treatments early — like physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, and activity modification — before symptoms escalate.
In more severe cases, we can discuss the benefits of more advanced or regenerative treatments, like radiofrequency ablation, stem cell therapy, or minimally invasive procedures. We’re here to guide you through post-treatment rehabilitation, helping you safely return to daily tasks or sports while reducing your risk of reinjury.
Experiencing one herniated disc doesn’t mean you’re destined for a lifetime of back pain. Combining smart habits, professional support, and consistent care helps you heal — and it helps reduce your risk of herniated disc recurrence, too.
Contact Eric Fanaee, MD, to book an appointment to start down a path toward less back pain.
