Risk Factors for a Herniated Disk

A herniated spinal disk may cause significant pain and discomfort as the disk matter presses on a nearby nerve.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons mentions these common risk factors for a herniated disk:

• Lifting a heavy object improperly.
• Being a smoker.
• Being overweight, which adds strain to the disks of the lower back.
• Engaging in repetitive activities that stress the lower back.