Can lumbar disc herniation sleep on a latex mattress?

Written by Guan Jing Tao

Orthopedics

Updated on December 19, 2024

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Generally speaking, for lumbar disc herniation, it is recommended to use a firm bed and avoid exposure to cold conditions, which helps alleviate symptoms and prevents further aggravation. Latex mattresses, as advertised and if of good quality, can also be used. Firstly, a quality latex mattress can conform well to the natural physiological curvature of the entire spine. This means that the latex mattress can accommodate the normal curvature of the waist without exacerbating issues, unlike overly soft mattresses which can lead to increased back pain and other symptoms. However, it is still necessary to use qualified products and assess them carefully.

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Written by Chen Hui

Orthopedic Surgery

42sec

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How to care for lumbar disc herniation

The intervertebral discs of a normal human body, according to related evidence-based medical research, begin to degenerate around the age of twenty-five. How should we maintain them in daily life? First, when lifting heavy objects in everyday life, it is necessary to do so by squatting partially and then lifting the weight with the strength of your knees and hips when standing up. Do not bend at the waist with straight knees and hips to lift heavy objects, as this can cause severe loading on the lumbar spine, leading to herniated discs. If symptoms are already present, maintenance measures include wearing a lumbar support, sleeping on a hard bed, and undergoing relevant physical therapy, among others.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

45sec

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Can a herniated lumbar disc be massaged?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with massage, and as a part of conservative treatment, massage is a very important method with generally good effects. Its role is to relieve muscle spasms, expand blood vessels, increase local blood circulation, and promote cellular metabolism of soft tissues. The techniques primarily include rolling and rubbing, supplemented by grasping and grinding methods. The main acupuncture point targeted is the Jiaji point, centered on the lesion between the two vertebral bodies. Other auxiliary acupuncture points include Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Shenshu, Bahui, Huanjiao, Yinmen, Fucheng, Weizhong, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua

Orthopedic Surgery

1min 28sec

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Can lumbar disc herniation be treated with an injection block?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with an injection, which mainly uses caudal epidural steroid injections. This approach has a certain therapeutic effect but is limited. For example, it may relieve the patient's pain for about a week, after which symptoms may gradually reappear. I believe that this treatment method is more about addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause. For ineffective conservative treatments, such as resting on a hard bed, applying local heat, minimizing prolonged sitting, and lying down as much as possible except for going to the toilet or eating, symptoms will generally gradually alleviate over about 10-14 days. This can be combined with drugs that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and drugs that nourish the nerves, as well as some diuretic drugs to relieve the pressure on the intervertebral discs. This can alleviate the stimulation of the nerve roots by the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs, affecting nerves from L4 to S3, which may cause numbness and pain in the back of the thighs, the dorsum of the calves, or feet. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of compression but the difference isn't significantly large. For cases where conservative treatment or injections are ineffective, we can consider interventional surgeries like ozone nucleolysis, which are currently performed skillfully with minimal damage and quick recovery. You can consult a hospital for more information.

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Written by Na Hong Wei

Orthopedics

1min 24sec

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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

1min 15sec

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What should I do if I have a lumbar disc herniation flare-up?

Once a herniated disc occurs, the first step should be general treatment, which involves rest and lying on a hard bed. A soft pillow should be placed under the waist and a soft pad behind the knee joints to help with triangular support recovery and reduce spinal pressure. Second, treatment with traditional Chinese medicine and herbs can be considered, which includes both oral and topical medications and usually has good effects. Third, traction and massage therapy can be considered. Traction is notably effective during the acute phase of a herniated disc. It mainly helps by reducing the pressure on the intervertebral discs, adjusting the gaps in the intervertebral foramina, and thus alleviating the irritation and compression on the nerve roots. Fourth, acupuncture and massage can also be considered, as acupuncture is particularly effective in alleviating symptoms of a herniated disc. Other treatments include small-needle scalpel therapy, target disc decompression through radiofrequency, disc intra-injections, or epidural block. If these treatments do not show significant results, or if there is no improvement and symptoms of cauda equina syndrome appear, then surgical treatment may be necessary.