Kelli Vogler, a physician assistant from Texas, experienced worsening back pain that led to numbness and weakness in her limbs. An MRI revealed a herniated disc compressing her spinal cord, necessitating surgery. Dr. Olaide Ajayi performed a cervical disc replacement, allowing Vogler to recover quickly and resume her active lifestyle. Experts advise seeking medical attention for back pain accompanied by weakness, balance issues, or loss of bladder control, as these can indicate serious underlying conditions.
Exercise is recommended as a first-line treatment for a herniated disc. This article provides a comprehensive list of exercises and stretches to address a herniated disc in the neck or back. It includes recovery exercises to alleviate symptoms, strengthening exercises to add support and stability, exercises for weight loss, stretches to reduce symptoms, and tips on movements to avoid. Physical therapy is also recommended for tailored exercise programs.
Anna Acosta, Chief Operations Officer of WeAccel and host of the Smart City Diaries podcast, shares her experience of medical discrimination and bias when seeking treatment for a herniated disc. Despite having good health insurance, doctors refused to believe her symptoms and delayed her diagnosis and treatment. Anna believes that biases are inherent in the medical system, starting from medical school, and that doctors are often overworked to the point where empathy is lost. She advocates for a kinder medical system that prioritizes patient care and addresses biases.
