If you have a collapsed disc or any other degenerative spine condition, you probably know all too well the impact that this frustrating condition can have on daily activity. Something as simple as doing your weekly grocery shopping can suddenly turn into a painful affair. Even when you’re in the middle of treatment for your neck or back pain, relief can come slowly, leaving you to deal with your discomfort in the meantime. However, there are a number of ways described in the following article that can help you manage your pain at the grocery store or anywhere else and limit the interruption in your life.

The effect of neck and back pain on activities like grocery shopping

We often do not realize how much we rely on our neck or back until it is causing problems. Something as mundane as unloading the dishes or lifting a bag of dog food can become a seemingly overwhelming burden. In the case of a collapsed spinal disc, you may be experiencing any number of symptoms, depending on the location, cause and severity of the disc degeneration. The good news is that in most cases, pain from a collapsed disc can be managed on your own with noninvasive treatment and some practical advice.

If you are grocery shopping with a collapsed disc, for example, consider the following:

• Get help with heavy lifting; even something like a case of soda or a pot roast can be heavier than you expect
• Ask for help unloading your groceries into your car — most grocery stores offer this service at checkout
• If you don’t have help, make several smaller trips to the grocery store throughout the week, rather than overdoing it in one stop
• Take it slow — overexertion can make neck and back pain much worse
• While exercise is extremely helpful for overcoming pain, consider using a motorized wheelchair as an alternative if you are concerned about overexertion

Living with neck or back pain can be a real burden. If you continue to experience dull and throbbing chronic pain from a collapsed disc or any other degenerative spine condition, it is important that you meet with your doctor to learn about your numerous treatment options.

Using minimally invasive spine surgery to treat your neck and back pain

Contact USA Spine Care if your pain persists through conservative treatments, such as pain medication and physical therapy. Our procedures offer a safer and effective alternative as well as a shorter recovery period compared to undergoing a highly invasive traditional open neck and back surgery.^ Since 2005, we’ve helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from their chronic conditions.

Our surgeons use a less than 1-inch incision and our procedure focuses on moving the muscles aside to avoid disruption. You can schedule your initial consultation today and ask for a review of your MRI or CT scan at no-cost* to determine if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient procedures.