Can people with lumbar disc herniation have sexual intercourse?

Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
Updated on January 09, 2025
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Appropriate and occasional sexual activity is permissible. During the acute phase of lumbar disc herniation, it is strictly prohibited to engage in excessive physical activities, including sexual activity, as it may trigger or exacerbate symptoms such as increased herniation, nerve compression, and resultant numbness or painful sensations in the lower limbs. However, during the chronic phase of disc herniation, after systematic treatment and significant symptom improvement, sexual activity can be resumed appropriately and occasionally, such as once every two to three weeks, or adjusted according to different age groups to a normal frequency. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive bending and heavy lifting to prevent worsening the pain and discomfort associated with lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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What are the symptoms of lumbar disc herniation?

The early symptoms of lumbar disc herniation mainly include back pain and limited mobility. With appropriate conservative treatment at this stage, the symptoms will not worsen. For example, sleeping on a hard bed, resting adequately, and using some physical therapy methods can help alleviate back pain and restricted mobility. If back pain and mobility limitations occur and are not treated correctly, it may lead to mid-to-late-stage symptoms. The patient will typically experience sciatica, with radiating pain and numbness in both lower limbs, caused by the herniated disc compressing the nerve root, leading to impaired nerve function and symptoms of numbness and pain in the lower limbs.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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What department should I see for a lumbar disc herniation?

For herniated lumbar discs, you should visit either the Department of Spine Surgery or Orthopedics. The specific department depends on the hospital you choose to visit. If the hospital is a high-level institution, grade three or above, it will certainly have a Department of Spine Surgery, so this would be the first choice. However, if the hospital is a community clinic or a second-tier hospital, it might not have a Spine Surgery department, so you would need to visit the general Orthopedics department. Although herniated lumbar discs are a common orthopedic condition and can be treated in Orthopedics, visiting a specialist in Spine Surgery can often provide more expert care as these doctors may have higher levels of experience and expertise in treatment.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Where to apply moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation

After a lumbar disc herniation, if moxibustion treatment is used, there is a concept of main and supplementary acupuncture points. The main point is the Jiaji point at the herniated lumbar disc segment, accompanied by the Jiaji points directly above and below it. For example, for an L4-5 disc herniation, moxibustion would be applied to the Jiaji points of L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1. Additionally, supplementary points are chosen based on the patient's other symptoms. If there is significant lumbar pain, the Yao Yan (Lumbar Eyes) point on the affected side is used. If there is muscle tension in the buttocks, the Huan Tiao and Yi Bian points are used. If there is tension in the back of the thigh, support would include the Fu Cheng, Yin Men, and Wei Zhong points. If numbness occurs on the outer side of the thigh, the Feng Shi point is used. For numbness in the calf, the Wei Yang, Cheng Shan, Yang Ling Quan, Zu San Li, and Xuan Zhong points are used. For numbness on the dorsum or sole of the foot, the Tai Xi, Jie Xi, and Xia Xi points are included.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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Can a second surgery be performed for lumbar disc herniation?

Firstly, it should be clarified that for patients with lumbar disc herniation, if the condition recurs after surgery, a second operation is completely feasible. This is because there are many intervertebral discs involved, including L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1, all of which can lead to lumbar disc herniation and subsequently cause symptoms of back and leg pain. Even if the patient has already undergone surgery for L4-L5, it cannot be guaranteed that L3-L4 or L5-S1 will not develop disc herniation. Therefore, it is possible for patients with lumbar disc herniation to undergo a second surgical treatment.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Where to press for lumbar disc herniation

Massage for lumbar disc herniation involves main and auxiliary acupoints. The main acupoint is the Jiaji acupoint at the affected disc side, followed by the Jiaji acupoints immediately above and below it. Auxiliary acupoints are chosen based on the patient's specific symptoms. Typically, if there is significant lower back pain, the affected side's Yaoyan acupoint is used. For tense gluteal muscles with tenderness, the Huanjiao acupoint is selected. If there is muscle tension on the back of the thigh, the Yinmen and Hebei acupoints are advisable. If numbness occurs on the outer side of the thigh, the Fengsi acupoint should be used. For numbness in the lower legs, the Yanglingquan acupoint is suitable. If numbness affects the foot, the Taixi and Yibian acupoints are recommended.