While video gaming is not a physically demanding
activity, there are some physical health dangers involved with it. The majority
of players would sit on a chair and engage themselves in a video game. One of
those health dangers occur when you sit for very long periods of time
regularly.
When you sit, all of your back muscles are at rest, so the back muscles are not at work to support your body. However, by sitting down, the lower back is positioned in a way that it is still required to bear the gravitational weight of your upper parts of your body.
When sitting down, the combined weight of the upper parts of your body, together with the seat of your chair, forms a squeezing sandwiching force that compresses your lower back from the top and the bottom. Just imagine taking a inflated balloon, putting it on a chair and using your hand to press force down on the balloon.
This force when applied to your lower back (more specifically, the spine of your lower back) can be the cause of a number of unwanted lower back problems. To understand more clearly how this force can be very detrimental, we need to understand the spine and its construction.
The spine consists of vetebrae bones, spinal discs and nerve roots. In between two different vetebrae, there is a spinal disc and a nerve root.Your spinal discs forms a cushion between each vetebrae and acts as a impact absorber for your spine.
The outer circle of the spinal disc (Annulus fibrosis) is the tough rubbery-like component of the spinal disc. It is designed to hold or keep the inner circle of the spinal disc (Nucleus pulposus) from spilling out or protuding outwards (and as a result, expanding the Annulus fibrosis). It can be subject to wear and tear.
The inner circle of the spinal disc (Nucleus pulposus) forms the impact absorber component of the spinal disc. It also contributes to the flexibility of your spine due to it's natural gel like texture. Some studies suggest that it is toxic to the nerves.
When you sit, the lower back spinal discs are the major component of the lower back that absorbs the gravitational weight from the upper body.
However, if the spinal discs are not taken cared of and constant excessive pressure is applied to it, it may burst or herniate. When this happens, you would therefore suffer from a medical condition what is commonly called a slipped disc (herniated disc).
A herniated disc is a bio-mechanical disorder of the spine. It occurs when the inner circle of the spinal disc has pierced through the protective outer circle. It therefore presses onto a nerve root, compressing it. It can also happen due to the outer circle being broken due to excessive wear and tear.
These are the medical symptoms of a lower back herniated disc which involve the compression of the lower back nerve roots. These common symptoms are:
To elevate these problems, the individual can choose from 2 main options. Physical therapy is a non-surgical treatment option. However, the recovery process is time consuming. A surgical operation to remove the spinal disc material that compresses the nerve root, is the most straighforward option. However, great care and good back friendly habits must be practiced after the surgery, as the individual's chances of suffering from a second herniated disc incident are increased.
In the second part of this lower back health guide, we will look at the different methods to look after, maintain and prevent health problems of your lower back.
When you sit, all of your back muscles are at rest, so the back muscles are not at work to support your body. However, by sitting down, the lower back is positioned in a way that it is still required to bear the gravitational weight of your upper parts of your body.
When sitting down, the combined weight of the upper parts of your body, together with the seat of your chair, forms a squeezing sandwiching force that compresses your lower back from the top and the bottom. Just imagine taking a inflated balloon, putting it on a chair and using your hand to press force down on the balloon.
This force when applied to your lower back (more specifically, the spine of your lower back) can be the cause of a number of unwanted lower back problems. To understand more clearly how this force can be very detrimental, we need to understand the spine and its construction.
The spine consists of vetebrae bones, spinal discs and nerve roots. In between two different vetebrae, there is a spinal disc and a nerve root.Your spinal discs forms a cushion between each vetebrae and acts as a impact absorber for your spine.
The outer circle of the spinal disc (Annulus fibrosis) is the tough rubbery-like component of the spinal disc. It is designed to hold or keep the inner circle of the spinal disc (Nucleus pulposus) from spilling out or protuding outwards (and as a result, expanding the Annulus fibrosis). It can be subject to wear and tear.
The inner circle of the spinal disc (Nucleus pulposus) forms the impact absorber component of the spinal disc. It also contributes to the flexibility of your spine due to it's natural gel like texture. Some studies suggest that it is toxic to the nerves.
When you sit, the lower back spinal discs are the major component of the lower back that absorbs the gravitational weight from the upper body.
However, if the spinal discs are not taken cared of and constant excessive pressure is applied to it, it may burst or herniate. When this happens, you would therefore suffer from a medical condition what is commonly called a slipped disc (herniated disc).
A herniated disc is a bio-mechanical disorder of the spine. It occurs when the inner circle of the spinal disc has pierced through the protective outer circle. It therefore presses onto a nerve root, compressing it. It can also happen due to the outer circle being broken due to excessive wear and tear.
These are the medical symptoms of a lower back herniated disc which involve the compression of the lower back nerve roots. These common symptoms are:
- At the beginning, there is sharp leg pain when walking, may subside given time
- Very stiff leg muscles due to muscle contraction
- Some physical deformity on the lower back due to muscle contraction
- and stiff muscles on the lower back
- Weak leg muscles
- Walking can consume more energy making you tired easily
- A tingling, electrical numb feeling down one's legs.
- Some sleeping positions can produce a numb tingling sensation on one of your legs
- Abnormal walking rhythm
- May experience lower back pain.
- There may be other symptoms. Consult your local specialist doctor for more details or to clarify further
To elevate these problems, the individual can choose from 2 main options. Physical therapy is a non-surgical treatment option. However, the recovery process is time consuming. A surgical operation to remove the spinal disc material that compresses the nerve root, is the most straighforward option. However, great care and good back friendly habits must be practiced after the surgery, as the individual's chances of suffering from a second herniated disc incident are increased.
In the second part of this lower back health guide, we will look at the different methods to look after, maintain and prevent health problems of your lower back.
