Exercise is a common component of herniated disc treatment. Taking a proactive approach to your recovery with physical activity will reduce your pain and help ensure the long-term health of your back.

A herniated disc may require 1 or 2 days rest to alleviate pain. However, you should resist the temptation to lie in bed for days at a time because your muscles need conditioning to aid the recovery process. If you forgo exercise and physical activity, your body may not respond to treatment as well as it could.Exercising is an effective way to strengthen and stabilize your low back muscles and prevent further injury and pain. Strong muscles support your body weight and bones—taking unnecessary pressure off your spine.

But even if you have strong muscles to support your back, you must lose weight to truly support your spine. Carrying around extra weight constantly strains your back— you're practically doing heavy lifting all the time! Losing weight will reduce your pain and promote the health of your back. If you need to lose weight, talk to you doctor about options.