Column How to Prevent Recurrence After Disc Herniation Surgery? Lifestyle Habits and Posture Are Key

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08.15.2025

What is disc herniation?

Intervertebral discs exist between each vertebra. Each disc contains a gelatinous nucleus pulposus at their center, enclosed in an annulus fibrosus rich in collagen.

When a crack occurs in the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus protrudes outward, this condition is called disc herniation.

Treatments available for disc herniation

Treatment for lumbar disc herniation can be broadly divided into conservative therapy (medication, exercise therapy, etc.) and surgical intervention.

Conservative therapy

Once diagnosed with disc herniation, conservative therapy is typically the first approach.

Drug therapy uses nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, opioid analgesics, and neuropathic pain medications to suppress inflammation and pain. Rehabilitation, such as stretching exercises, may also be used to improve back pain.

If pain is severe or does not improve with drug therapy, nerve blocks may be performed.

Surgical treatment

Surgery for lumbar disc herniation varies depending on the medical institution.

While surgical techniques may vary, endoscopic procedures have become increasingly common in recent years. In it, an incision is made in the back under general anesthesia. An external tube and an endoscope are inserted to visualize and remove the herniated portion.

If the herniation has progressed to the point of causing conditions like spinal stenosis or spinal instability, a spinal fusion procedure may be performed. This involves not only removing the herniated portion but also removing the problematic disc itself, replacing it with an artificial one, and fusing the vertebrae.

Treating the disc : the Cellgel Method

It enables disc repair, which was not possible with other treatments, making it a potentially curative treatment. A key feature is that disc volume does not decrease, and after treatment, the medication remains in the disc as a gel-like implant, thus preserving the disc.

Rehabilitation is also crucial following the treatment

After treating a herniated disc, risks like recurrence due to muscle weakness, poor posture, or persistent chronic pain from unrelieved lumbar strain may arise.

To reduce these risks, reconsidering lifestyle habits and daily rehabilitation are extremely important.

Rehabilitation helps reduce strain on the lower back, enabling you to regain a comfortable life.

Movements to be careful of after treatment

After receiving the Cellgel Method, avoid any movement that place strain on the spine.

The following are 3 movements used in daily life that require particular caution.

① When getting up

Try to get up using a method that places minimal strain on your lower back.

Twisting your lower back can easily cause pain, so be careful. Move your lower back and shoulders simultaneously.

Avoid getting up by lifting your head first.

② When putting on/taking off shoes

Bending forward is to be avoided.

Always sit on a chair, cross your legs, and then put on your shoes.

Consider using a shoehorn to put on shoes.

③ When bending forward to pick up items from the floor

Use something to hold onto and squat down.

Be careful not to bend forward.

Self-care movements for your body to do at home

Exercises that strengthen your abdominal muscles and move your spine are important as after care for your treatment.

・Slowly lift your tailbone while keeping your abdomen tucked in.

・When lifting your tailbone, be careful not to tense the muscles in your back.

Make a conscious move to maintain the proper posture

Be aware and consciously maintain proper posture to reduce strain on your lower back.

When viewed from the side, proper posture aligns the outer ankle bone, greater trochanter, shoulder, and ear in a straight line. Correct any swayback or rounded shoulders, as these cause strain and pain in the lower back and shoulders.

When viewed from the front, aim for a symmetrical posture centered on a line connecting your nose → sternum → navel → between your feet. If one shoulder is elevated, lower that shoulder to achieve symmetry.