Lumbar disc herniation symptom exercise

Written by Cheng Bin

Orthopedics

Updated on November 10, 2024

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There are many exercises for lumbar disc herniation, such as the "little swallow" exercise, practicing lifting the buttocks while lying in bed, performing the bridge pose, supporting your body with three and a half points, and actively engaging in swimming. These exercises can strengthen the patient's lower back muscles, thereby better protecting the lumbar spine and alleviating symptoms of lumbar disc herniation.

Additionally, for patients with lumbar disc herniation, besides exercise, it is important to keep warm. Avoid prolonged sitting or standing, avoid excessive bending to pick up heavy objects or lifting heavy weights. It is best to use a lumbar support belt, protect the lumbar spine, sleep on a firm bed. Also, locally apply heat actively, combined with acupuncture, electric heating, cupping, massage, traction, and other physical therapies.

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Written by Su Zhen Bo

Orthopedics

56sec

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Can a herniated lumbar disc cause leg pain?

Patients with lumbar disc herniation can experience leg pain, which is a typical clinical manifestation. After the nucleus pulposus protrudes, it can stimulate the dura mater and nerve roots, causing pain in the leg areas innervated by the nerves, or localized skin numbness, and decreased muscle strength in the lower limbs. Some patients may also experience difficulties bending over or walking normally. Additionally, some may have abnormal bowel and bladder function, and exhibit changes in reflexes like hyperactive or absent knee and Achilles reflexes. Diagnostic confirmation can be achieved through electromyography, as well as CT scans and MRI of the lumbar spine. For treatment, patients may be advised to lie flat on a hard bed, use lumbar support, and employ pelvic traction. Additionally, treatments such as massage and manipulation may be recommended.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 4sec

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Where to apply moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation

If moxibustion is used to treat a lumbar disc herniation, the main acupoint is the Jiaji acupoint located on both sides of the herniated disc, along with the Jiaji acupoints immediately above and below it. For example, if you have a herniation between the 3rd and 4th lumbar discs, you should moxibust the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Jiaji acupoints, and so on. In addition to the main acupoint, there are auxiliary acupoints chosen based on the different symptoms of different patients. Generally, if there is significant back pain, the acupoint on the affected side is the Yaoyan. If there is muscle tension and tenderness in the buttocks, match with Huanjiao and Yibian. If there is muscle tension on the back of the thigh, match with Chengfu, Yinmen, and Weizhong. If there is numbness on the outer side of the thigh, match with Fengshi, and for calf numbness, match with Weiyang, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan. If there is numbness on the top of the foot, followed by weakness in the foot or toe region, match with Taixi, Jiexi, and Xiexi.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 32sec

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Is a herniated lumbar disc serious?

Lumbar disc herniation is primarily due to degeneration of the lumbar disc or secondary pathological changes caused by this degeneration, which then stimulate blood vessels, nerve roots, and the spinal cord, leading to a series of clinical symptoms. Lumbar disc herniation is categorized into four types. The mildest type is the bulging type, followed by the protruding type, the more severe extrusion type, and finally the most severe, the sequestration type. Generally, lumbar disc bulging is relatively mild and conservative treatment is usually effective. Depending on the site and degree of compression, lumbar disc herniation may be treated conservatively, but some cases require surgical intervention. Most cases of disc extrusion require surgery because the extrusion leads to spinal stenosis, compressing all or part of the blood vessels, and it can also compress the spine and nerve roots, causing irreversible damage, and medications or massages can't reverse the condition. The fourth point concerns lumbar disc prolapse, meaning the nucleus pulposus falls into the spinal canal through the tear. This is one of the few emergencies seen in spinal surgery. If this occurs, immediate surgical treatment is necessary. Therefore, the severity of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the type and degree of the herniation, as well as the location and direction of the herniation, and which treatment method needs to be used.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 35sec

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How to treat a lumbar disc herniation?

Clinically, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation usually involves the following three aspects. The first is conservative treatment, which is mainly for those patients whose lumbar disc herniation is not very severe and does not cause substantial compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord. The first step includes general treatment, that is, after developing a lumbar disc herniation, one needs to lie flat in bed, rest on a hard bed, and then rest. The second is treatment with Chinese herbal medicine, the third with Western medicine, and the fourth is traditional Chinese medicine rehabilitation treatment, which includes traction, massage, acupuncture, and others. There is also physical therapy, which includes treatments like shockwave thermotherapy and microwave therapy. Often, some patients experience symptom relief after conservative treatment. There are also some patients whose symptoms do not improve during treatment, and even worsen, at which point surgical treatment is needed. Surgical treatment has its strict indications. However, once within the range of these indications, surgical treatment should be considered. Surgical treatment now is divided into minimally invasive therapy and conventional surgical treatment. The third is other treatments, which are also numerous, including ozone therapy, sacral canal treatment, intradiscal injections, and so on. Therefore, the treatment of lumbar disc herniation mainly depends on the degree of protrusion and clinical symptoms, which are analyzed comprehensively to select a suitable treatment method.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 40sec

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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.