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Rethinking the Fear: Running With a Vertebral Disc Issue Isn’t Always Dangerous
- Yannick Sarton
- Oct 28, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 28
Why Disc Injuries Create Fear
Back pain can be frightening, especially when it involves a disc.Most people immediately imagine fragility, risk, and long-term limitations.
But research is clear:movement helps healing — fear delays it.
What Modern Evidence Really Shows
Multiple clinical guidelines from Europe, Australia, Canada and the US highlight:
Discs heal and remodel with time
Running rarely damages structures
Pain ≠ tissue damage
Staying active accelerates recovery
Avoidance predicts more chronic pain
H3 — Sensitisation vs. Damage
After 4–6 weeks, disc inflammation settles.Beyond this stage, pain usually reflects:
heightened sensitivity of nerves
lowered movement confidence
stress, fatigue, and protective behaviour
lack of load tolerance
This explains why symptoms fluctuate but do not reflect danger.
Why Stopping Running Can Slow Recovery
Total rest causes:
deconditioning
increased fear
reduced load tolerance
slower recovery
higher risk of long-term pain
The solution isn’t to stop — but to reintroduce load gradually.
A Safe Return-to-Running Framework
A structured program usually includes:
Relative rest during flare-ups
Not bed rest — just reduced intensity.
Strengthening key muscle groups
Glutes, hamstrings, calves, trunk stabilisers.
Graded impact exposure
Walk → jog → intervals → continuous running.
Symptom-guided progression
A small increase in discomfort is normal,a sharp, lasting increase means adjust load.
Building confidence, not fear
Understanding the difference between hurt and harm is essential.
When to Consider Physiotherapy
Professional guidance is useful if:
running increases pain significantly
symptoms affect daily life
fear limits movement
flare-ups become recurrent
A modern, movement-based physiotherapy approach helps you rebuild load tolerance, confidence, and long-term resilience.
Whether you are in Phnom Penh or abroad, you can book your next in-clinic or online physiotherapy session today.I’m available worldwide for online consultations — simple, fast, and evidence-based.
Explore Studio On — Physiotherapy & Online Care
Physiotherapy & Osteopathy in Phnom Penh (BKK1), offering evidence-based treatments for pain, injuries, mobility issues, and rehabilitation
Discover the clinic in Phnom Penh: central location, private room, calm environment, professional equipment.
Overview of the physiotherapy and osteopathy services provided in-clinic: assessment, manual treatment, exercise therapy, rehabilitation.
Detailed information about all conditions treated: back pain, neck pain, joint pain, tendinopathy, muscle injuries, sports injuries, nerve irritation, acute & chronic pain.
Physiotherapy available worldwide: video consultation, diagnosis, personalised rehab plans, follow-up, and exercise programming.
Evidence-based articles helping you understand your condition and take control of your recovery.
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References:
1. Belavý DL, Quittner MJ, Ridgers N, Ling Y, Connell D, Rantalainen T. Running exercise strengthens the intervertebral disc. Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 19;7:45975. doi: 10.1038/srep45975. PMID: 28422125; PMCID: PMC5396190.
2. Chadha M, Srivastava A, Kumar V, Tandon A. Disc Degeneration in Lumbar Spine of Asymptomatic Young Adults: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study. Indian J Orthop. 2022 Mar 20;56(6):1083-1089. doi: 10.1007/s43465-022-00619-2. PMID: 35669019; PMCID: PMC9123103.
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