Even an Ordinary Daily Routine Can Put You at Risk of a Herniated Disc Compressing a Nerve
Back pain and radiating leg pain do not only happen to people who lift heavy objects or live an extreme lifestyle. Sometimes, everyday habits such as sitting at work for long periods, standing for hours while teaching, or traveling frequently can gradually increase pressure on the spine and cause symptoms to become more severe over time.
This was the story of Mr. Natthakorn Intrawicha, a university lecturer whose daily life involved sitting for work, standing while teaching, and regularly traveling to other provinces for lectures and research.
What began as back tightness and poor balance that still seemed manageable gradually developed into hip pain radiating down the leg to the calf. His walking distance quickly decreased, and even walking inside his own home began to become difficult.
Daily Habits That Gradually Increased the Risk Without Realizing It
Mr. Natthakorn shared that most of his daily routine involved standing while teaching or sitting for long periods to teach online. In addition, he often traveled to other provinces for lectures and research, either by plane or van, which required him to remain in the same posture for many hours at a time.
In particular, when traveling by van, it was impossible to predict when the vehicle would hit a bump in the road. On planes, the space was also quite limited, making it difficult to adjust his posture comfortably and causing his body to tense up. As a result, after getting out of the van or plane, his back pain would often become noticeably worse.
Although he did not live an extreme lifestyle or regularly lift heavy objects, long periods of sitting, standing, frequent travel, and repeated postures could still gradually increase pressure on the spine.
From Back Tightness and Poor Balance to Radiating Leg Pain
At first, he only noticed that after sitting at work or standing to teach for long periods, his balance did not feel as stable. He also felt tightness in his back and had to keep adjusting his posture because of the discomfort.
This episode began in November of the previous year. Although he tried to be careful and reduce physical strain, the symptoms either remained the same or worsened because there was also degeneration involved. What made this episode different from the previous one was that the pain was not directly in the back. Instead, it started around the hip, feeling like bruising in the buttock area, before radiating outward to the side and down to the calf, along with numbness.
At first, the symptoms were more of an annoyance. He tried using herbal balm or heat-based topical medication to relieve the pain, which helped only temporarily. Once the effect wore off, the symptoms returned because he still had to continue the same daily routine, especially sitting for long periods while teaching online.
His Walking Distance Decreased Rapidly, Until Even Walking at Home Became Difficult
As the symptoms became more severe, getting up from a chair became difficult. He began walking awkwardly and felt that his leg was not functioning as it used to.
During the final week before seeing the doctor, Mr. Natthakorn noticed a worrying change: the distance he could walk decreased very quickly. From being able to walk for kilometers, he could only walk around 100–200 meters before his leg no longer wanted to move forward.
Even walking inside the house became difficult. Before surgery, simply standing up and walking a few steps from one point to the bathroom caused pain and felt as if a cramp was about to occur in his leg.
These symptoms were important warning signs that the nerve may have been increasingly compressed, clearly affecting his walking ability and leg control.
The Cause Was Not Only Prolonged Sitting, But Also Body Structure and Weight
After examination, the doctor explained that Mr. Natthakorn’s symptoms were caused by a herniated disc compressing a nerve. In addition to prolonged sitting and standing, other contributing factors included his relatively high body weight and a genetic anatomical factor: his spinal canal was narrower than average.
When there is already limited space inside the spinal canal, even a small herniation of the disc can touch or compress the nerve sooner than in other people. This can lead to radiating pain, numbness, and a reduced walking distance.
Returning to a Specialized Hospital Because of Trust from Previous Treatment
Mr. Natthakorn had experienced similar symptoms around six to seven years earlier, so he had some understanding that this episode might be related to the spine and nerves. When his walking distance rapidly decreased, he decided to return to S Spine & Joint Hospital immediately.
He chose the hospital because he trusted its specialization in spine and joint care, as well as the medical technology and care provided by Dr. Saran Jindahara, who had treated him before.
After receiving a clear explanation of the cause of his symptoms, he underwent minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery once again.
After Surgery, the Difference Felt Like Changing from “0 to 1”
After surgery, the difference between before and after treatment was very clear.
Before the operation, simply walking from one point to the bathroom caused pain. After just three steps, it felt as though a cramp was about to occur in his leg, and he had to be careful with every movement.
After treatment, he was able to get up, walk, and perform activities more comfortably. The radiating pain and cramp-like sensation in his leg clearly improved.
“If I were to compare it to a computer, it was like changing from 0 to 1,” Mr. Natthakorn said.
Spine Surgery Today Is Not the Same as the Old Image Many People Remember
One message he wanted to share was the need to change the mindset of many people, especially those in other provinces who may still fear that “having back surgery means you may not be able to walk again.”
From his own experience, spine surgery today is not as frightening as many people imagine. Modern medical tools and technology allow treatment to be more precise, less invasive, and faster in recovery.
This treatment involved only a small incision, not a long open wound on the back like the image many people associate with traditional surgery. After treatment, he was truly able to get up and walk.
