June is National Men’s Health Awareness Month, a time to encourage men of all ages to improve their health by focusing on commonly overlooked areas, like spine health. More than 55% of men don’t get regular health check-ups, and when it comes to the spine, there’s a need for a proactive approach. This means not waiting until an injury happens to take action that protects your spine health.
This Men’s Health Month, the team here at Pain Management Specialists encourages men to carve out some time to focus on their spine health and take practical steps to reduce their risk of common issues, such as herniated discs.
Men carry double the risk of herniated discs compared to women. Musculoskeletal differences between men and women put men at a higher risk of spine injuries. Other factors such as men being more likely to have physically demanding jobs than women, and the increased chance for men to engage in physically risky behavior, make them more vulnerable to herniating a disc.
Another factor, such as the likelihood for men to put off seeing a doctor when they experience physical complaints like back pain, means issues can escalate to a herniated disc.
The bones of the spinal column are separated by a jelly-like disc that serves as a cushion so that you can move, bend, and twist comfortably. In many cases, herniated discs occur due to age-related changes to the spine. By the age of 40, most men have some changes to their spines that may increase the risk of back pain.
Repetitive movements such as jobs that require lifting heavy objects, or playing sports are also common causes of herniated discs. A sudden injury to the spine, such as a fall or car accident can result in a herniated disc.
While a herniated disc can occur anywhere in the spine, they’re most likely to occur in the lower back (lumbar spine).
The best way to reduce the risk of spine issues like herniated discs is to address your spine before pain occurs. Regular spine health checkups provide an excellent opportunity to catch issues before they escalate.
When pain does occur, it’s important to have it evaluated promptly. Pain Management Specialists perform comprehensive evaluations, and provide individualized treatments to ease herniated disc pain.
Other steps that can lower your risk of a herniated disc include:
If you smoke, spine health is one of many reasons to quit. The link between smoking and back pain is well-established. Smoking reduces blood flow to spinal tissues and contributes to disc damage.
This June, commit to having a spine health checkup, and make changes to your lifestyle to protect your spine.
If you’re experiencing back pain, have a history of a herniated disc, or believe that you may have a herniated disc, contact Pain Management Specialists for a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan. Take charge of your spine and overall health today!
