A slipped disc is a painful condition that can severely affect your life. People with sedentary jobs, such as office workers or people with standing jobs, are particularly frequently affected. Physiotherapy offers an effective way of alleviating discomfort and restoring mobility – without invasive procedures.
How physiotherapy can help
Physiotherapy is a proven method for treating herniated discs and is particularly suitable for alleviating discomfort. The focus is on reducing pain, strengthening the muscles and correcting poor posture.
1. pain relief through manual techniques
Physiotherapists relieve tension and improve blood circulation in the affected area. This helps to relieve pressure on irritated nerves and reduce pain.
2. building up the stabilizing muscles
Targeted exercises strengthen the back and abdominal muscles, which stabilize the spine. This is particularly important for office workers, whose posture is often strained by hours of sitting.
3. improvement of mobility
Stretching and mobilization exercises help to restore flexibility to the spine. This prevents recurring complaints and improves quality of life.
4. ergonomic advice for the workplace
An important part of physiotherapy for office workers is training in ergonomic sitting postures and workplace design. Here, patients learn how to improve their posture and relieve the strain on their spine.
Why people with sedentary or standing jobs can benefit in particular
A slipped disc is often caused by unhealthy strain on the spine. These strains not only affect office workers who spend many hours sitting down, but also people who have to stand for long periods at work or at home – for example in retail, catering or healthcare. Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the treatment and prevention of complaints in both groups.
The strain of sitting for long periods
Office workers often spend the majority of their day sitting – often in an awkward posture in front of a screen. This puts a monotonous strain on the spine and lacks the natural movement that is important for maintaining healthy intervertebral discs.
- Sitting postures: Frequently hunched or bent forward postures put excessive strain on the lumbar spine. The intervertebral discs are compressed, which increases the risk of the gelatinous nucleus leaking through the fibrous ring.
- Lack of movement breaks: sitting for long periods of time means that the back muscles remain untrained and the intervertebral discs are not supplied with sufficient nutrients, as these are only transported to the intervertebral discs through movement.
The challenges of standing for long periods
Standing for long periods also poses risks to the intervertebral discs. People who are on their feet a lot often experience different, but no less stressful challenges:
- One-sided strain: When standing, the spine is often placed in a rigid posture, which places greater strain on certain intervertebral discs.
- Poor posture: Frequently shifting your weight to one leg or standing permanently in a slightly bent position (e.g. when working as a cashier) can lead to strain.
- Reduced blood circulation: Standing for long periods inhibits blood flow to the back muscles and leads to tension, which increases the risk of a slipped disc.
Why physiotherapy helps – specifically for both groups
Physiotherapy offers tailor-made solutions for people who sit or stand a lot due to their job. The focus is not only on pain relief, but also on long-term improvement in posture and movement.
- Analysis of individual strain
Physiotherapists examine which postures or movement patterns contribute to the symptoms. Ergonomic advice on workplace design or everyday activities is an important part of the therapy. - Building stabilizing muscles
For seated people, the focus is on strengthening the often weakened abdominal and back muscles. For those standing, the focus is also on relieving the leg and hip muscles in order to stabilize the spine. - Mobilization of the spine
Targeted mobilization exercises make the spine more flexible again. This is particularly important for people whose flexibility is restricted by monotonous movement patterns or rigid positions. - Stretching exercises for frequently stressed areas
Sitting for long periods often shortens the hip flexors, while standing for long periods promotes tension in the calves and lower back. Physiotherapy helps to stretch and relax these muscle groups in a targeted manner. - Integration into everyday life
To achieve a lasting effect, physiotherapy teaches practical exercises and tips that can be easily integrated into everyday life. This includes regular exercise breaks for people who are sitting down as well as balancing exercises for people who are standing up to relieve the strain on the body.
Conclusion: prevention and treatment for a healthy back
Whether you sit or stand a lot, the strain on your spine can lead to long-term problems if it is not balanced. Physiotherapy offers effective strategies for both groups to alleviate discomfort and prevent future problems. Individually adapted exercises, ergonomic tips and targeted mobilization and stretching techniques help you to keep your back healthy and strong.
If you suffer from back pain or a slipped disc, Physiotherapie Marsch can help you with professional treatment plans. Make an appointment now and benefit from targeted, holistic therapy for a pain-free life!