Herniated Disc – What Can I Do?

Disc herniation most often occurs in the lumbar and cervical spine, when a disc, which sits between two vertebrae, is pushed towards a nerve. It causes severe pain, tingling and weakness in the affected arm and/or leg.

People who suffer from a herniated disc may run, lift weights and do sport, but the load needs to be dosed individually. Too much sporting activity can worsen the condition, just as avoiding activity can. Balance is key!

A herniated disc can be acute or chronic, and therapy must be adapted to the individual's condition.

ACUTE DISC HERNIATION

Acute herniation is characterised by damage to the disc and pressure on the nerve root, which then causes severe pain in the neck or back and, sometimes, restricted movement. In this case, physical therapy procedures such as therapeutic ultrasound, laser and electrotherapy are carried out, which reduce pain and inflammation and speed up recovery. Kinesiotherapy is also carried out; it must be carefully dosed and kept within the pain threshold.

CHRONIC DISC HERNIATION

Chronic disc herniation, on the other hand, is characterised by constant pain in the neck and/or back over several months. In addition to pain, tingling in the arms or legs and weakness of the leg or arm muscles are also typical. In the chronic condition, we also carry out physical therapy procedures, but we put the emphasis on kinesiotherapy in order to get the body ready for everyday activities and thereby prevent or reduce the occurrence of pain.

What if your report says disc herniation L4/L5, L5/S1?

Depending on the degree of injury, it can be a bulge, a protrusion or a prolapse/extrusion. It affects the lumbar vertebrae. After diagnostics, physical therapy is carried out that combines various manual techniques, devices and kinesiotherapy, all with the aim of resolving the cause of the herniation. With proper rehabilitation, a herniated disc can be a thing of the past within 2–3 months, whereas with the wrong approach it can trouble you for the rest of your life.

Get rid of your herniated disc, because having a healthy back is not a luxury #NijeLuksuz