A collapsed disc occurs when one of the spinal discs loses its normal height. The discs serve as shock absorbers for the spine and endure a lot of wear and tear through the years as a result. It is therefore not a surprise that age-related degeneration is the primary cause of this spinal condition. However, there are a number of other collapsed disc causes that you may not be aware of.

Causes of a collapsed disc

Some lifestyle choices that can also be considered collapsed disc causes include:

1. Alcohol or tobacco use. Both of these substances have a dehydrating effect on the spinal discs and can cause the discs to lose water content and become brittle. Essentially, alcohol and tobacco products age the spinal discs prematurely.
2. High-impact sports. Sports such as rugby, football and gymnastics put a lot of pressure on the spine and can cause a disc to deteriorate or become damaged faster.
3. A sedentary lifestyle. Although high-impact sports are rough on the spine, this does not mean physical activity should be avoided altogether. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle also has a negative effect on the health of your spine.
4. Obesity. A sedentary lifestyle can be a contributing factor to obesity, which adds to the amount of weight the spine needs to support on a daily basis.
5. Poor posture. Poor posture, such as sitting with your shoulders hunched, can cause disproportionate levels of pressure to be placed on different parts of the spine, which can eventually cause a disc to become damaged.

Treatment for a collapsed disc

If conservative collapsed disc treatments, such as pain medications, hot and cold compresses and physical therapy, are ineffective at managing your symptoms, minimally invasive surgery at USA Spine Care may be the next option for you to consider. We offer a free MRI review* to help determine if you are a candidate for one of our outpatient procedures.

To learn more about our procedures and the spinal conditions we treat, contact USA Spine Care today.

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