Is massage useful for lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on January 15, 2025
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Can massage be used for lumbar disc herniation? Its clinical effects are quite good. The primary function of massage therapy is to relieve muscle spasms, then dilate blood vessels, increase local blood circulation, and promote peripheral metabolism, thereby achieving the purpose of curing diseases. It mainly uses rolling and pushing techniques, with the main acupoint being the Jiaji acupoint. Auxiliary acupoints generally include Yangguan, Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Shenshu, Weizhong, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan, among others. Additionally, it includes two board techniques. These board techniques are very effective for minor joint disorders of the lumbar spine. There are two board techniques, one is the slant board technique, and the other is the rotating tube board technique, with the slant board technique being relatively easier to perform. Generally, patients experience varying degrees of symptom relief after proper and effective massage, and many people's symptoms disappear altogether.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 24sec home-news-image

How to exercise with lumbar disc herniation

For patients with lumbar disc herniation, self-exercise is a very important and effective treatment method. First, it is important to maintain the correct sitting posture, sit up straight without leaning sideways, and avoid sitting for extended periods. It is also necessary to keep the waist warm to prevent catching cold. Second, it is necessary to strengthen the exercise of the back muscles, especially the erector spinae and multifidus, with exercises such as single-leg bridges, double-leg bridges, and the "little swallow" exercise. Third, maintain the correct posture in daily life, such as when lifting or holding objects, to avoid increasing tension in the waist and causing unnecessary damage. Fourth, regarding rest, it is crucial to lie on a firm bed and possibly add a thin pad under the waist to keep the hips and knees in a certain alignment, ensuring the waist muscles can fully relax. Fifth, always wear a waist belt during exercise. The waist belt is one of the most important orthopedic supports, serving to immobilize and protect the waist, limiting movement during activity to solidify the effects of earlier treatments. Therefore, patients with lumbar disc herniation must develop a complete and reasonable treatment plan at a regular medical institution and normal physiotherapy institution.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is moxibustion effective for lumbar disc herniation?

As an important treatment method in traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion has very good therapeutic effects for treating lumbar disc herniation. As long as the acupuncture points are correctly selected, the treatment effect is very good. Specifically, if you choose to use moxibustion for treatment, the main point would be the Jiaji points, and this should include the two adjacent vertebrae. For example, for a L4-L5 disc herniation, you should select points L1 to L5. Auxiliary points should be chosen based on different symptoms of the patient, in combination with different acupoints. For example, if the waist pain is significant, combine with the affected side's Yaoyan point. If the buttock muscles are tense, combine with Huanjiao and Yibian points. If the posterior thigh muscles are tense, combine with Chengfu, Yinmen, and Weizhong points. If there is numbness on the lateral thigh, combine with Fengshi. For numbness in the calf, combine with Weiyang, Chengshan, Yanglingquan, Zusanli, and Xuanzhong points. If the dorsum of the foot is numb, combine with Taixi, Jiexi, and Xiexi.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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How long does conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation take?

The main issue in lumbar disc herniation is that the nucleus pulposus ruptures through the annulus fibrosus, causing compression of the nerve roots. These nerve roots at lumbar 4 and sacral 3 form the sciatic nerve, leading to numbness and pain on the posterolateral side of the thigh and the dorsum of the foot. This is a distinctive manifestation of lumbar disc herniation, most commonly seen at the L4-5 and L5-S1 intervertebral spaces, accounting for over 95% of cases in outpatient settings. Conservative treatment primarily involves strict bed rest, local application of heat, sleeping on a firm mattress, pre-warming the lower back, and taking medications to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and nourish nerves. Generally, symptoms will gradually abate and disappear within approximately 10 to 14 days, with noticeable symptom reduction after about 7 days. For cases where conservative treatment is ineffective and symptoms recur, interventional surgery such as ozone nucleolysis can be sought. Ozone therapy can help reduce the pressure on the intervertebral discs, increase their volume, and relieve nerve compression. Surgical trauma is relatively minor, the procedure is currently well-practiced, and the side effects are relatively low. It may be worthwhile to consult a local hospital for more information.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Lumbar disc herniation has what manifestations?

Lumbar disc herniation has the following clinical manifestations. First, lower back pain accompanied by unilateral radiating pain in the lower limbs. Second, numbness in the localized area. Third, weakness in the toes. Fourth, decreased temperature in the affected limb. Upon examination, the first finding is a reduced natural anterior curve of the lumbar spine, which we refer to as a flat or board-like back. Second, it can also cause the lumbar spine to bend to one side, possibly toward the affected side or the healthy side, depending on the location of the herniation. Third, there is a fixed tender point beside the lumbar spine, which plays an active role in diagnosis and treatment. Fourth, due to pain, there is a limitation in the movement of the lower back; normally, the lumbar spine can flex 45 degrees forward, extend 20 degrees backward, and bend 30 degrees to each side. If these ranges of motion are not achievable, it indicates a significant limitation in lumbar activity. Fifth is the neurological localization examination, which primarily involves different sensory disturbances, motor disturbances, or muscle atrophy depending on the site of compression. There are also some special tests, like the straight leg raise test, reinforcement test, healthy side leg raise test, as well as the neck flexion test and femoral nerve stretch test. Lastly, additional diagnostic tests like CT or MRI can provide specific information on the location and stage of the lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is there a cure for lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is treatable, and the results after treatment are very good. The treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation mainly depend on the direction and degree of the herniation as well as the symptoms it causes. Generally, it is divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment is the first approach, which initially includes general treatment. That is to say, after experiencing symptoms of a lumbar disc herniation, you must first rest in bed and then make sure to sleep on a flat bed and appropriately strengthen the muscles of the lower back. The second approach is traditional Chinese medicine, the third is traction and massage therapy, the fourth is physical therapy, and the fifth is rehabilitation therapy. If the treatment is not effective, or other surgical indications appear, such as urinary and fecal incontinence or spinal cord type nerve damage combined with spinal stenosis, then surgical treatment is needed. Surgical treatments generally include conventional surgery and minimally invasive surgery, with the latter being more commonly used nowadays. Other treatments include disc sealing, sacral therapy, small needle knife therapy, and nucleus pulposus injection with ozone, among others. Overall, not only is lumbar disc herniation treatable, but there are also many treatment methods. However, as to which treatment method is suitable for you, you must go to the hospital and consult a doctor to decide.