Health encyclopaedia

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Causes of Slipped disc

A slipped disc usually happens when your back is bent forward and a large amount of pressure is put on a disc. Bending forwards opens up the gap in the vertebrae at the back of your spine and makes it easier for the disc to ‘slip’ if it is squeezed. For example, by the strain that is put on your back when you are attempting to lift a weight.

The way you stand, sit or move can also be a factor in whether you damage a disc.

It is not clear why some people develop a slipped disc and others don’t. However, there are factors that make a slipped disc more likely. You are more likely to suffer a slipped disc if you:

• have a job that involves heavy manual labour,
• are lifting incorrectly, especially while twisting or turning,
• have a job where you sit for a long time,
• have a job where you drive for many hours at a time· are overweight,
• are a smoker,
• have had a slipped disc before,
• have spine problems in your family,
• are male, or
• are older or elderly, as your discs weaken with age.

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