Treatment of intervertebral hernia without surgery. Is it possible to reduce the vertebral hernia? How to repair an intervertebral hernia

Intervertebral hernia lumbar is one of dangerous diseases, which is accompanied by severe pain in the lower back and at the same time can give to the leg. After some time, this pain begins to hamper the movement of a person, the patient cannot move normally, which leads to disability.

- Symptoms:
- But how to treat an intervertebral hernia in the lumbar region?
- Treatment of intervertebral hernia with traditional medicine
Other treatments
Acupuncture

This can happen due to excessive stress on the lower back, namely the spine as a result of injuries, heavy lifting, or some other factors.

The pain appears as a result of a rupture of the fibrous ring, which is located in the intervertebral disc, so some part of it, namely the jelly-like one, begins to come out and thereby exerts pressure on the ends of the spinal column. This is what leads to pain. If you seek help from a doctor in time, then there is a chance to restore the disk and get rid of the disease. But basically the patient pays attention to severe pain only at a late stage of a hernia of the lumbar. This may lead to acute pain, which strongly gives in the leg. In this case, difficulties may arise in urination, libido and potency decrease.

Spinal hernia appears anywhere in the lumbar region, but most often it occurs between 4-5 lumbar vertebrae, as well as between 5 and 1 sacral vertebrae. But, besides this, an intervertebral hernia can cause radiculopathy, lumbago, and also lead to inflammation of the sciatic nerve.

Causes of a hernia in the spine or lower back:

Symptoms of a vertebral hernia of the lumbar

The main symptom of the disease is the displacement and rupture of the fibrous membrane of the disc, which leads to the leakage of a jelly-like fluid into the interstitial space. There are several stages in the development of this process:

prolapse. The disk moves a little, and if it will not be affected external factors and deformation, then he can calmly fall into place;
protrusion. With minimal disc displacement, its subsequent shift occurs, but so far this is limited between the vertebral bodies;
extrusion and sequestration. At this stage, the nucleus is completely displaced outward and it hangs down between the vertebrae. Then the core breaks and its contents leak out.

Symptoms:

But how to treat an intervertebral hernia in the lumbar region?

The main thing in this matter is to quickly contact a specialist so as not to miss conservative treatment to avoid surgery. A specialist, prescribing treatment in this case, can stop the progression of the disease, which leads to the prevention of complications. The main goal in treatment vertebral hernia lumbar region is to localize pain that leads to discomfort and difficulty in movement. But how to treat a hernia?

Only medications can remove inflammation and pain, and they will also take part in the recovery process. Anti-inflammatory drugs can suppress the enzyme activity that appears in the focus of inflammation and is responsible for pain in the lumbar region. These drugs also reduce nerve sensitivity, resulting in increased blood flow.

In addition, during the treatment of a hernia of the lumbar spine, drugs that improve blood supply are used. They are able to relieve swelling and resume blood flow to the affected area.

Chondroprotectors are able to accelerate the recovery process in cartilage tissue. Of course, you can not do without funds local application that relieve pain.

Surgical removal of the intervertebral hernia of the lumbar

Surgical intervention- This is an extreme measure in the treatment of vertebral hernia. It is usually used during an exacerbation of the disease, especially when the hernia affects the life of a person. This happens after the diagnosis of the patient's body showed that due to the compression of the nerve endings, it led to a disruption in the functioning of the genitourinary organs. In addition, problems in the urogenital area may appear due to pinching of the nerves in the spine itself.

Types of gentle surgery:

It is also possible to treat a hernia of the lumbar calving with the help of therapeutic exercises. But this should be done after the pain syndrome has been eliminated and in the absence of nerve compression. A set of exercises is developed individually for each individual patient. The main goal of therapeutic exercises is to strengthen the muscles of the lower back and spine so that in the future there is no displacement of the discs. Many exercises can be aimed at stretching the spine. In this case, the gaps between the vertebrae may become wider, and the disc will be installed in its original place.

Treatment of intervertebral hernia with traditional medicine

In the treatment of spinal hernia folk remedies aimed at pain relief. Usually, general strengthening herbs and fruits are used for treatment, in which there are a lot of vitamins and microelements. All infusions must be consumed before meals. Them active substances quickly come to the problem area and help to correct all the violations that have appeared in the structure of the spinal tissue.

A decoction of aspen bark helps to eliminate the hernia of the lumbar. One tablespoon of the bark must be poured with a glass of boiling water and boiled for an hour. The decoction should be drunk 4 times a day, 30 grams.

The tincture of cinquefoil (can be found in a pharmacy) must be diluted with water and taken three times a day. This tincture can also be prepared at home by mixing 40% alcohol with 100 grams of cinquefoil.

In the treatment of intervertebral hernia, compresses can be done. For this, horse fat is perfect, which must be finely grated and wrapped in a cloth, and then applied to the hernia. The pain begins to gradually pass, but the bandage should not be removed for two days.

Resin ointment should be applied after a bath. For its preparation, you will need 0.5 kg of dry comfrey roots, 300 grams of vodka, 70 grams of pine resin and 350 grams of pork fat. Comfrey needs to be crushed in a blender, and the fat is melted. Then mix the fat with comfrey and put on low heat for about 30 minutes. The resin is also melted and added to the main mixture, without turning off the fire, cook for another 10 minutes and already, then add vodka. Stir everything for 10 minutes and remove from heat. After the mixture has cooled, the ointment is ready for application.

Treatment of an intervertebral hernia in the lumbar region can also be done using clay. Red clay must be moistened with water and wrapped in gauze, and then heated to 40 degrees. Gauze is applied to the hernia and fixed. Clay should be removed after it has completely dried. This method is considered the most effective in the treatment of hernia.

Other treatments

It is not recommended to use methods of traditional manual therapy in the treatment of intervertebral hernia, therefore, in order to achieve a better effect during treatment, opposite methods can be used: kinesiology, osteopathy, reflexology. With the help of individual movements of the body, the chiropractor is able to influence nervous system patient, leading to a speedy recovery. On average, such therapy lasts about 10 days, but it all depends on the patient's condition.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves a point effect on the body, in particular, on a sore spot. The process is carried out thanks to thin medical needles, which the specialist installs in desired points the patient's body. Modern acupuncture includes a complex of electrical stimulation of body points. In other words, the needles are connected to the device, and impulses are transmitted through them. This therapy, which is part of complex treatment, is better and more effective than traditional acupuncture.

The use of manual therapy for the treatment of diseases of the spine

Manual therapy is one of the most effective methods treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

It not only improves blood circulation in the tissues, but also restores the functions of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

Manual procedures are successfully used in many countries of the world and have been approved by most people suffering from spinal diseases.

What is manual therapy?

Manual therapy of the spine is a system of manual techniques that are aimed at activating all the forces of the body for self-healing.

In diseases of the spine, the main goal of treatment is the rehabilitation of intervertebral discs and vertebrae.

This is done using special techniques, the essence of which is to distance the articular surfaces from each other.

Thanks to the work of manual therapists (vertebrologists), who strictly affect certain areas of the spine, blood circulation in the tissues improves, muscle tone increases, and degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs stop.

In addition, tactile effects activate the work of nerve endings and relieve muscle spasms. If manual procedures are alternated with courses of physiotherapy and reflexology, then the effect of the treatment is enhanced several times.

Features of the technique

As a rule, a vertebrologist is contacted if there are the following complaints:

If these complaints are indeed a symptom of spinal pathology, the doctor determines the treatment and the appropriateness of manual therapy.

However, there are those who, on the contrary, consider them necessary in treatment. In fact, everything relies on the professionalism of the vertebrologist, since one wrong move can aggravate the course of the disease.

The presence of certain signs is not yet a reason for prescribing manual therapy. The diagnosis must first be confirmed with X-ray or MRI.

If the pathology (intervertebral hernia, osteochondrosis, and others) is really visible in the picture, the doctor decides on the appointment of a treatment course.

Each session of physical therapy lasts about 30 minutes. Then a break is made for two days to maintain the therapeutic effect.

Hernia therapy

Many specialists do not undertake to do manual therapy with a hernia of the lumbar and cervical spine, since this work requires high professionalism.

However, this does not mean that it is contraindicated. In some cases, after the first session, the patient feels relief.

In order for the exercises to bring an effect and not harm the body, the doctor must know the exact location of the hernia. As a rule, with this disease, decompression and shock-pulse techniques are used.

The patient's body is relaxed, which equalizes muscle tension and fixation of the body.

At acute form diseases, hand treatment is limited to light, plastic techniques. In this case, a Shants collar or a special orthopedic traction is used.

When the acute process begins to subside, post-isometric muscle relaxation, traction mobilization are used.

Thanks to manual procedures, negative pressure is created in the body of the spine, and the hernia, according to the laws of physics, is reduced back.

In addition, such exercises relieve pain and eliminate main reason disease development. This cause, in most cases, is osteochondrosis of the spine.

How is manual therapy of the spine performed - video tutorials:

Procedures for osteochondrosis

The essence of osteochondrosis is the curvature and destruction of the vertebrae, so medical practice is aimed at restoring their functions.

Vertebrologists distinguish 4 phases of the disease:

passes secretly;
characterized by vertebral movements and pain;
intervertebral hernia develops;
spondylolisthesis is formed, in which the vertebrae are displaced and bone growths appear.

Hand treatment is effective only in the first three stages. When bone growths appear, it can no longer help.

Before the start of the session, the muscles are kneaded, and then slowly stretched. Thanks to these procedures, muscle spasms are eliminated and local blood circulation improves.

Then proceed to the therapy itself, which has the following components:

The most popular and most effective technique is massage. All exercises are done in such poses in which you can stretch the muscles in the affected area as much as possible.

Before repeating the stretch, you need to move slightly in the opposite direction, and then fix the muscles for a few minutes. Such approaches are good for relieving muscle spasms.

Therapy for cervical hypermobility

One of the most common neck pathologies is hypermobility.

Manual therapy for instability of the cervical spine is aimed at its elimination.

To do this, first of all, relieve muscle tension. When the load is removed from the diseased vertebra, it becomes less loose and the disease does not progress.

The main technique medical therapy with instability of the cervical vertebrae, automobilization is used.

Its essence lies in the fact that the patient with one hand grabs his head and tilts it forward, and with the other he props up his chin. Then he slowly turns his head and wiggles in the direction of rotation.

These procedures not only relieve tension, but also improve local blood circulation.

Independent use of the technique

The use of manual therapy of the spine at home is possible only with outside help.

For this purpose, a physically strong, strong person who will have an understanding of the physiology of the body and is trained in the technique of medical procedures is well suited.

Before starting the practice, it is necessary to warm up the muscles with the help of a special vibration massager, a warm bath or segmental massage.

This can be achieved by leaning on the back of a chair or other surface, or by holding the vertebral sections with your hands. Most often, the method of hand support is used in the treatment of the cervical or lumbar region.

Each movement should be done with only a slight pressure. Many exercises do not require the use of force at all, as they are arranged according to the principle of inertial influence.

The therapeutic effect in this case is achieved due to the personal weight of the body. The most difficult thing is to carry out procedures only on certain parts of the spine, without setting in motion and without straining other muscles.

The voice of the people

What do people who have undergone manual procedures write in their reviews?

Contraindications and warnings

Like any other type of treatment, manual therapy can be harmful to health.

Therefore, it is important to know in which cases it is contraindicated. This includes:

acute diseases of the joints;
disc myelopathy;
arthrosis of 3-4 degrees;
bone osteoporosis;
intervertebral disc injuries;
tumors of the spine, spinal cord or brain;
Forestier's disease;
consolidated fractures of the spine.

As for pregnancy, many experts have a positive attitude towards manual treatment.

The fact is that during the period of carrying a child, most medicines are contraindicated, and manual procedures can be a real salvation from pain.

Given the feedback from patients and doctors, as well as numerous studies, we can conclude that manual therapy is completely safe in the treatment of the spine.

Moreover, it has an amazing effect, which is not always possible to achieve even with drug treatment.

Only an experienced, qualified specialist is able to cure the spine and not harm the rest of the body.

Non-surgical methods of treatment of intervertebral hernia

Every person who has been diagnosed with an intervertebral hernia asks the question: is it possible to do without surgery? Fortunately, there is a large number of non-surgical hernia treatment.

Each of these methods has its own contraindications, so it is necessary to consult a doctor before treatment.

Medical treatment

An intervertebral hernia often causes pinching of the roots, in which case the patient has signs of inflammation and severe pain. Doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):

Voltaren;
Diclofenac;
Nise;
Indopamide.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory action, these drugs also reduce pain. These drugs are produced in the form of solutions for injections, ointments, rectal suppositories. The doctor, based on the results of the examination, decides what to prescribe to the patient. Do not self-medicate and take these medicines on your own.

The use of tablet preparations can provoke an exacerbation of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer stomach. In order to protect the gastric mucosa from the effects of NSAIDs, the following drugs can be used:

Almagel;
Phosphalugel;
Gastal;
Almag.

These drugs cover the stomach with a film that protects it from exposure to an aggressive environment.

In cases where the patient complains of unbearable pain, he is prescribed stronger drugs, such as morphine or codeine. These medicines can only be obtained with a prescription from specialized pharmacies.

If all these methods are ineffective and the patient continues to suffer from pain, he is prescribed epidural injections, i.e. injections directly into the lesion. The patient is administered steroid drugs, from which relief almost immediately occurs. But the application of this method is limited. You can use epidural injections only 3 times a year.

The next group of drugs used in the treatment of intervertebral hernia is chondroprotectors. They restore cartilage tissue in the intervertebral space, stop the progression of the disease and prevent the destruction of the intervertebral discs. Chondroprotectors include:

Alflutop;
Teraflex;
Structum.

To achieve a therapeutic effect, drugs should be used for 3 or more months. The course of treatment is prescribed by a doctor.

Doctors confirm the positive effect of the use of Rumalon - it is an extract from cartilage and bone marrow animals. The composition of the drug includes structural components that are necessary for the normal functioning of cartilage.

Muscle relaxants are prescribed to patients to relax muscles and reduce pain. This group includes Mydocalm.

Also, patients need drugs that improve blood circulation in the affected area. For this purpose, use:

Pentoxifylline;
Trental.

If the pain does not allow the patient to fall asleep, then he is prescribed antidepressants. They calm the nervous system. There is information that these medicines can also reduce pain. Antidepressants are available only by prescription and are used strictly in a certain dosage. These include:

Sertraline;
Insidon.

In addition to the main treatment, the patient is shown the use of vitamins. B vitamins restore tissue sensitivity, reduce pain. Vitamin D restores bone tissue, strengthens ligaments, it is prescribed along with calcium. Vitamins A, E and C are antioxidants and help repair damaged intervertebral cartilage tissue.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy has long been proven effective in the treatment of back problems. After the procedures, muscle tension is reduced, strained tissues are restored.

During the procedure, a medicinal substance is injected into the patient's body tissues, while tissue damage does not occur. The medicine enters the skin under the influence of an electric current.

Advantages of electrophoresis:

a more concentrated medicine that directly enters the tissues of the body, bypassing the liver;
prolonged drug retention in tissues;
the effect of current on the body also has positive impact: improves blood circulation, reduces swelling and inflammation;
painless treatment;
rarely causes an allergic reaction.

Mud treatment

This method is referred to as thermal treatment using mud of various compositions. The mud is heated to 50 degrees, then mixed with cold water and applied either in the form of applications to a sore spot, or to the entire body, with the exception of the head and heart area. Therapeutic mud improves metabolism in the diseased area, relieves inflammation and swelling.

Mud therapy can be used only after the end of the acute period, that is, after the pain subsides.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound therapy is a method of using vibration sound waves. They are not perceived by the human ear. But they penetrate the body to a depth of 6 cm.

Under the action of ultrasonic waves, the metabolism in tissues is accelerated, blood circulation improves, and muscle spasm is relieved. Ultrasound relieves inflammation and pain.

It has a positive effect in combination with other methods of treatment. It can be carried out only after the pain subsides. Massage should be performed by a specially trained medical professional.

There is a special massage technique that can be performed at home, but only after consultation with your doctor. First you need to rub the inflamed vertebrae fir oil. After that, apply honey to the skin, after adding a few tablets of mummy to it. Make patting movements on the back. At this time, the skin should stick to the palms. The pain that appeared during such a massage should be endured. Honey removes old toxins and fights hernia. After the honey massage, the back should be wiped with a warm cloth and applied with Finalgon ointment. After that, you need to wrap your back and go to bed. Improvement can be felt in the morning, but to achieve a lasting effect, it is necessary to conduct a course of 2-4 weeks.

Gymnastics with intervertebral hernia

Get on all fours. Raise opposite arm and leg. Hold for a few seconds, then lower and repeat with the other arm and leg.
Lie on your back. The surface must be solid. The legs should be bent at the knees, arms at the sides. Raise and lower your pelvis for 1-2 minutes.
Lie on your stomach on the floor. Put your hands along the body, while trying to raise the upper body as much as possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, then lower yourself. Repeat the exercise 7-10 times. You can also complicate it and raise the chest and legs at the same time (“boat”).

There is a folk wisdom: you need to spend as much time on gymnastics with a hernia as it was spent on acquiring it.

Yoga

The main rule is that you can not exercise in bed. Buy a custom yoga mat. Exercise should not be uncomfortable. If pain occurs, stop exercising.

Lie on your back with your knees drawn up to your chin. In this position, you need to roll on the floor. This exercise stretches the back muscles and ligaments.
Lying on your back, bend your knees. Grab your shins with your hands. In this position, try to straighten your spine as much as possible.
Lying on your back, bend your leg at the knee and try to reach it with your forehead. Then change your leg.
Get on all fours. Arch your back like a cat. In this case, your gaze should be first at the floor, then at the ceiling.

Treatment that is carried out with the help of hands is called manual therapy. It is performed for many diseases of the spine, joints, muscles and internal organs.

The treatment is carried out by a specially trained doctor - a manual therapist. To begin with, he relieves pain, and after that he will perform techniques aimed at restoring the intervertebral disc. After a course of manual therapy, muscle tone normalizes, pressure on the damaged disc decreases, and blood circulation improves. Normalization of blood circulation improves metabolism, thereby reducing inflammation and pain faster.

It is very important to choose a qualified doctor, because one wrong move can lead to disability of the patient.

Osteopathy

Complex of diagnostics and therapeutic effect on the patient's tissue with your fingers. With this method of treatment, the effect on the human body is very mild, so it can be used for people of all age groups.

With the help of hands, an osteopath can determine even small deviations in the position of organs, the spine and other tissues of the body. Hands help the doctor not only to make a diagnosis, but also to carry out treatment.

Advantages of osteopathy

effective diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the spine;
treatment safety;
pain relief after the first session;
may be used to prevent exacerbation.

With an intervertebral hernia, the doctor, acting on the diseased area, improves blood circulation and metabolism. After a course of treatment in 7-10 sessions, muscle spasm is relieved and pain disappears.

Contraindications:

mental illness;
thrombosis;
tumors;
infectious diseases.

There are a huge number of non-surgical hernia treatments. The main thing is to follow all the recommendations of the doctor and not self-medicate. Since a hernia is classified as chronic diseases, then it is important to remember about the prevention of exacerbation of the disease.

Eat right. More fruits and vegetables, keep drinking regimen. Eliminate fatty, spicy, smoked and pickled foods.
Do physical exercise every day. They will help keep the muscles in good shape and will protect the spine from damage.
Take up swimming. It also trains the muscles of the spine, strengthens them and thus prevents the disease from aggravating.
Don't lift weights.
Pass in time preventive treatment: physiotherapy, drug therapy. The frequency of such treatment is prescribed by the doctor. This will depend on the degree of damage to the spine.

It must be remembered that in severe cases, such treatment may not help and surgery is no longer enough. Listen to your doctor and then you may be able to avoid surgery.

Important fact:
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Among the pathologies of the spine, the most complex and dangerous is the displacement of the disc in the lumbar region. This entails a narrowing of the lumen of the spinal canal, compression of the nerve structures spinal cord.

A hernia formed in the lumbar vertebrae may be asymptomatic with small disc displacements, but with strong rotation causes severe symptoms.

The reasons

In fact, hernia and displacement of the vertebrae are interrelated processes. The protrusion is formed in the disk, which loses its elasticity, becomes thinner and breaks up into separate fragments.

At this stage, the nucleus pulposus, which held back the fibrous ring, seeps into the formed cracks. More often this occurs in the posterior or posterolateral direction, to where the spinal cord and nerve roots are located.

A displaced disc and a hernia put pressure on them, as a result of which a strong inflammatory process develops, accompanied by severe pain. To pathological condition give reasons:

sedentary lifestyle;
heavy physical work associated with a static position of the body;
jumping from a height, jerks, sharp twisting movements;
trauma;
diseases of the spine (, spondylolisthesis);
postoperative conditions.

The lumbar region is the most mobile part of the spinal column, therefore it is more susceptible than the thoracic and cervical vertebrae to pathological changes vertebral structures.

The displacement of the lumbar vertebrae can be felt as a click in the back, after which a sharp pain immediately occurs. With proper manual therapy, the doctor with one right movement can return the vertebrae to the correct position, and the pain disappears.

But when it comes to lumbar hernia, you have to resort to a long complex treatment, the purpose of which is the elimination or reduction of hernial formation in the affected segments.

Manifestations

Signs of the disease are weak or literally immobilize the patient (any movement causes "hellish" pain). It depends on the degree. Patients complain:

on the severe pain and cramps in the lower back, localized at one point ();
painful sensations spreading from the buttocks along the back of the thigh and lower leg, to the inguinal region (caused by sciatica);
(decrease in the sensitivity of soft tissues);
impaired reflexes of the knee joints;
limited mobility of the feet;
partial or complete paralysis of the legs.

Hernia symptoms may resolve on their own in older people as a result of age-related changes. The intervertebral disc loses elasticity as a result of moisture loss. It shrinks, shrinks.

The hernial formation loses volume and, with its small initial size, the compression on the nerve roots weakens. In other cases, the severity of anxiety symptoms depends on the degree of displacement. intervertebral disc:

(displacement up to 2-3 mm). Metabolic processes are not disturbed, pain in most cases is absent.
(displacement up to 4-12 mm). The thinned and deformed disc extends beyond the vertebra, but the fibrous ring still retains its integrity.
. The nucleus pulposus seeps through a fissure in the annulus, but is held back by the longitudinal ligament.
. Prolapse into the spinal canal of part of the leaked gelatinous cartilage.

The most dangerous is the last, severe stage, at which an urgent one is prescribed.

It is important to remember that a timely visit to a hospital facility (back pain has been disturbing since recently, appears periodically and may disappear for a while after a night's rest) saves from severe symptoms - doctors successfully cope with the disease on early stages using traditional therapies.

Treatment

After thorough diagnostic measures (MRI, CT, myelography), doctors manage to find out the location inflammatory process and prescribe appropriate treatment. It includes:

( and , hydromassage, ).

Important! All medications should be prescribed only by a doctor, do not self-medicate.

With advanced forms of the disease, the question is raised about the expediency surgical treatment. Doctors resort to it in extreme cases, because the surgical intervention is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the vertebral tissues, and this can provoke complications and repeated inflammatory processes.

But in the case when you have to choose between the life and death of the patient, experts take optimal solution. Destroyed tissues are removed, the hernia is excised - the destroyed fragments are removed (microdiscectomy) or the hernia is evaporated with laser beam. Titanium implants may be placed.

Denial of responsibility

The information in the articles is for general information purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis of health problems or in medicinal purposes. This article is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor (neurologist, internist). Please consult your doctor first to know the exact cause of your health problem.

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Before proceeding with the real steps to eliminate a herniated disc, a little theoretical preparation is necessary.

The spine consists of vertebrae (this is a bone formation), intervertebral discs (this is a cartilaginous formation), muscles and ligaments that are attached to the vertebrae and maintain their optimal relative position.
The main function of the intervertebral discs is spring. Thanks to them, the spine can bend forward, backward, to the sides, rotate along the vertical axis, while the spinal cord does not experience stress and can fully function.
The intervertebral disc consists of a pulpous nucleus located in the center and resembling a biconvex lens in shape. At the edges of the nucleus pulposus is surrounded by an annulus fibrosus, consisting of dense connective tissue, it performs the function of the outer shell of the intervertebral disc.
The nucleus pulposus is able to increase in volume by 2 times due to the absorption of water from the surrounding tissues. Due to this property, if the vertical load on the spine increases (for example, we took a bucket of water in our hands), the distance between the vertebrae does not decrease and the spinal cord does not experience pressure.

What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc is a protrusion of the annulus fibrosus anatomical norm up to its complete rupture with the movement of the nucleus pulposus from the center towards the protrusion and the loss of its contents into the spinal canal through a gap in the fibrous ring. As a result, the spinal cord is compressed, the person feels pain and the work of internal organs is disrupted. Although a herniated disc can form in any of the intervertebral discs, it is most common in the lumbar and cervical region spine.

Why does a herniated disc occur?
A herniated disc does not occur overnight - it is the result of many years of negative processes occurring in the body and spine. The last step on the path to a hernia is usually lifting with a bent back, but this is the last straw, not the cause of the hernia. A herniated disc is the result of degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs that occur for the following reasons.

1. Insufficient drinking regimen. With a lack of water in the body, connective tissue and intervertebral discs in particular suffer first of all. To fully perform the spring function, the discs must absorb fluid from the surrounding tissues, and if there is not enough of it, they literally dry out, increasing the likelihood of back pain and the appearance of a hernia.

2. Misuse back. Every person needs to learn how to sit, stand and lift weights correctly, failure to follow these rules accelerates the destruction of the intervertebral discs.

3. Lack of moderate physical activity. There are two reasons why you need to do special exercises:

Thanks to them, the muscles and ligaments of the spine develop, which support the spine in optimal condition.
After about 20 years, the intervertebral discs receive nutrients and get rid of waste products due to diffusion from the surrounding tissues. In order for diffusion to occur successfully and the disks not to be starved, they must be slightly, rhythmically squeezed in a vertical direction. The easiest way to achieve this is with exercise. For example, presented in the video.

4. Unbalanced daily nutrition. The spine and intervertebral discs are constantly updated due to microelements coming from food. The most important of them: calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium, when they are deficient, bone tissue (vertebrae) becomes porous and intervertebral discs are destroyed. The only way to supply the spine with the necessary nutrients is to regularly consume foods with the optimal combination of these micronutrients. Here is a short list: hazelnuts, beets, rice, celery, peas, fat cottage cheese, cabbage, walnuts, carrots.

A herniated or bulging disc usually develops long time, and then under adverse external conditions (weight lifting, trauma), a person feels sharp pain in the back, which may radiate to the arm or leg. The first thing to do is to get rid of the pain, it is easier to achieve this by lying on your back with a folded blanket under your knees, so that your feet hang in the air and with a small roll of a towel under your lower back.
It is necessary to start doing exercises as early as possible, immediately after the sharp, unbearable pain has passed.

Basic rules for performing exercises to restore intervertebral discs

1. The protrusion of the intervertebral disc can be in any direction, so when choosing exercises, you need to carefully monitor your own feelings. If, while performing the exercise, there is no discomfort, this exercise must be done, this is "your" exercise. If there is a slight pain (discomfort) sensation, this exercise must also be done, but only more carefully and accurately. If, starting to perform the exercise, you feel a sharp pain in the spine - this exercise should be postponed for a while, we will have it as a diagnostician. After a while, you need to return to it, and if there are less uncomfortable sensations, you are on the right track.

2. At the initial stage, avoid exercises for twisting the torso.

3. Avoid jumping, sharp pushes and blows to the back.

4. Exercise should be done as often as possible during the day (from 2 to 6 times). The entire selected set of exercises should be divided into parts (1-3 exercises each) and perform different exercises at different times of the day.

5. Do not apply sudden efforts to the problem areas of the spine.

6. Start doing exercises with minimal load and amplitude, gradually increasing them.

7. Do not try to "set" the intervertebral discs or vertebrae into place in one day. The task of the exercises is to gently stretch the spine and, most importantly, increase blood circulation in the problem area.

A herniated disc is not a sentence, following the appropriate rules and doing exercises, you can lead a full life.

Most often, a herniated disc occurs in the lumbar region, so we will consider exercises specifically for this part of the back.

If you have an intervertebral hernia, then you are probably asking many questions. What can and cannot be done?

Is it possible to cure a hernia of the lumbar without surgery?

Yes, lumbar disc herniation can be cured without surgery. In Russia and the CIS countries, there is an unofficially established medical practice: everyone who has an intervertebral hernia is recommended to undergo surgical treatment. Meanwhile, this is an absolutely illiterate and unprofessional approach. Surgery is a last resort. This is the most radical way. In Europe and the USA, there are a number of absolute indications for the operation. Basically, they are associated with the threat of loss of motor function or the lack of effectiveness of conservative treatment.

Agreeing to the operation, you need to be aware of all the risks:

Any operation is associated with significant stress on the body: anesthesia, postoperative period.

The operation to eliminate the intervertebral hernia is very difficult. It all depends on the skill of the surgeon. If the doctor is not qualified and experienced enough, there is always a risk of unforeseen consequences: for example, spinal cord injuries and complete loss of motor function, etc.

Therefore, it is necessary to agree to the operation only if all the previous treatment did not work.

The main thing is that you should not neglect the methods of conservative treatment: there are a lot of drugs, physiotherapy methods, physiotherapy exercises. If you take up the treatment on time, when the process has not reached the peak state, you can put the hernia "under control". After that, it remains only to adhere to a number of recommendations. Then it will be possible to forget about the hernia once and for all.

What loads for intervertebral hernia are allowed?

Unfortunately, the presence of a herniated disc imposes significant restrictions on the patient in terms of physical activity. Of course, you don't have to give it up at all.

It is worth knowing which types of load pose the greatest threat:

activity associated with axial load on the spine. It is necessary to exclude weight lifting, training in the gym with shells (lifting dumbbells, barbells, etc.).

activity associated with a long stay of the body in an upright position (long running, playing football, hockey, skiing).

Preference for a hernia is better to give aqua aerobics, swimming, water sports. It is also recommended to perform a complex of specialized exercises of physiotherapy exercises. Such a load will have a beneficial effect on the body: the back muscles will strengthen, and with an increase in muscle tone, the stability of the hernia can be guaranteed.

Is it possible to warm the intervertebral hernia?

Both warming and steaming in the bath is strictly prohibited. When warmed up, the back muscles weaken, the muscular corset that holds the damaged intervertebral disc loses its tone. As a result, the hernia can be displaced and further pinched, with all the ensuing adverse health consequences: pinched nerves and spinal cord. This is extremely dangerous.

Is it possible to run with a hernia of the lumbar spine?

Running is associated with a large load on the spine. As mentioned, it is best to exclude the loads associated with a long stay of the body in an upright position. Running is better to replace therapeutic walking.

Can a herniated disc be repaired?

The practice of reduction of intervertebral hernias was common 10-20 years ago. Now this method treatment is reasonably considered dangerous. The fact is that the nucleus pulposus, together with the entire structure of the affected intervertebral disc, can be deformed or displaced under physical impact. Displacement with a high degree of probability will lead to infringement of the nerve roots and spinal cord.

In order to exclude the development of complications, it is impossible to resort to the reduction of a hernia in any case.

Is it possible to do CABG with an intervertebral hernia?

There are no obvious contraindications for coronary artery bypass grafting in the form of intervertebral hernia. However, surgeons performing the operation should take this pathology into account when performing the operation.

If the doctor has at least minimal qualifications and experience, CABG can be done without fear.

Can a hernia of the spine hurt the stomach, leg?

With an intervertebral hernia in the lumbosacral region, pain that radiates to the leg (or radiates to the leg) can not just be. In 95% of cases, they are included in a specific symptomatic complex. Moreover, the leg can not only hurt, it can burn all over. The intensity of the pain syndrome depends on the degree of infringement of the nerves and the individual pain threshold. The cause of the manifestations is the infringement of the nerve roots and the sciatic nerve.

Abdominal pain is not specific to pathology, but it can still occur. To rule out organ pathology abdominal cavity further diagnostics should be carried out. It is possible that abdominal pain is accompanied by an independent disease: gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, etc.

Is it possible to hang with a herniated disc?

In no case. Any axial load is strictly prohibited. It can lead to a herniated hernia and damage to the spinal cord. (Spine traction - is it effective? What are the consequences?)