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Disc Pain Management for the Recreational Athlete

Whether participating in recreational sports is your hobby or a full-time passion, it’s important to remain cognizant of your spinal health. Nothing robs you of your enjoyment of bowling, softball, golf, fishing, swimming or any other sport more surely than chronic back or neck pain. Unfortunately, no one can predict when a herniated or bulging disc might arise, which is why it’s also important to understand proper disc pain management.

Of course, the best approach to disc pain management is to avoid disc problems altogether. Here are a few tips to help prevent a herniated or bulging disc as you participate in recreational sports:

• Consult a doctor or certified athletic trainer to make sure you are in good physical condition before you participate
• Develop a pre-game stretching routine that targets the major muscle groups you expect to use
• Along with stretching, remember to warm up with a light jog or other simple aerobic exercise
• Know your physical limits and stay within them
• When undiagnosed back or neck pain develops, stop playing and see a doctor

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The emergence of disc pain does not necessarily mark the end of your amateur athletic career. Many instances of bulging or herniated disc go undetected and produce no symptoms, and even those that do produce pain, tingling, numbness or muscle weakness need not keep you away from recreational sports for too long. With guidance from a doctor and proper disc pain management, such as over-the-counter or prescription medication, physical therapy, rest, massage or behavior modification, such pain will usually fade over time.

However, if chronic back or neck pain persists even after weeks or months of conservative disc pain management, your doctor might suggest surgery. If this is true for you, Laser Spine Institute (LSI) offers gentle, endoscopic alternatives to traditional open back surgery. Contact Laser Spine Institute to learn how a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure can help you return to a healthy, active lifestyle.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.