Can poor posture cause disc bulges?

I have been a dental hygienist for 30 years and have spent a lot of my working life bending over. I have recently been getting lower back pain and have been diagnosed with a disc bulge. Can poor postures cause a disc to herniate?


Hello,

I'm afraid I can't offer you treatment advice without a full assessment. You need to go and get checked out by a doctor or physical therapist to get specific advice for your problem. However, I will talk about disc bulges and posture and point you in the direction of some information that may supplement your discussions with your doctor.

Poor posture alone does not cause disc bulges. There is little evidence that any one thing causes a disc bulge, in fact teenagers have been found to have bulges that cause no symptoms at all. This section outlines the causes and symptoms of sciatica

However, sustained poor postures certainly can cause simple lower back pain. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests any posture that is held for too long can cause lower back pain. This section outlines the importance of posture and offers suggestions for improving posture.

In my experience it is often a combination of things that cause lower back pain, posture being just one of them.

A visit to a physiotherapist or doctor is needed for a proper assessment and examination in order able to identify what specific things you need to consider.

Regards

Paula


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