How common are back injuries and herniated disks? The short answer - more common than you think.

Back problems are one of the most common chronic conditions in Canada, with 4 out 5 adults experiencing back pain or injury in their lifetime. Herniated (bulging or slipped) disks occur when the jelly-like cushion between two vertebrae pops out of place and is jutted out into the spinal canal. This in turn puts pressure on the nerves, causing pain.

Herniated disks

Herniated disks and back injuries can be incurred by a single traumatic event to the spine or by regular wear and tear. Back injuries are one of the most common injuries in the workplace. The lower back is the most impacted area as it bears the grunt of the stress of the body.

Individuals in all different lines of work are at risk of developing a herniated or slipped disk. Heavy lifting can be an apparent cause of disk degeneration; however, sitting or standing for long periods of time can cause pressure on the spine, leading to herniated disks and other back problems. This has become an increasingly prevalent issue for those who work in industries where they are sitting for long periods of time.

Back injuries

Back injuries are treated in a myriad of ways, with non-surgical treatments like pain medication, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and massage therapy. For many who experience chronic back pain caused either by an injury or herniated disk, they find themselves being physically limited or prohibited from activities they were once able to perform, sometimes causing social isolation and resulting in depression or anxiety.

Ways to avoid incurring back injuries or herniated disks are: regular exercise, maintaining correct posture, lifting and bending at the knees instead of the waist, and avoiding standing or working in any one position for too long.

Those who have experienced a back injury often face a long road to recovery and pain management. This is why long term disability benefits are so essential to many who are unable to work while they get the treatment they need to make a full recovery.

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