- Benefits of physical therapy in herniated disc
- 6 ways to treat herniated discs
- 1. Use of electronic equipment
- 2. Heat
- 3. Stretching for herniated disc
- 4. Exercises for herniated discs
- 5. Cervical or lumbar traction
- 6. Handling techniques
- Day-to-day care
Physiotherapy is excellent for the treatment of herniated discs and can be done with stretching and strengthening exercises, electronic equipment, using a hot compress. Other techniques that can be useful are Pilates, hydrotherapy, RPG and spinal traction, for example.
Sessions can be held daily on weekends, when the person is in great pain, but it can be held only once or twice a week when the pain arises only in certain situations, such as when lowering or lifting some weight off the floor, for example.
Benefits of physical therapy in herniated disc
The physical therapy treatment for herniated disc has the following benefits:
- Relief from back pain and pain radiated to arms or legs, for example; Increased range of motion; Greater physical endurance; Avoid spine surgery; Reduce pain medication.
Herniated discs occur when the disc between the spinal vertebrae is damaged and can cause compression of the nerve root, for example. Usually before discovering the hernia, about 10 years before there was some pain in the spine. The regions of the spine most affected are the cervical and lumbar regions.
6 ways to treat herniated discs
Within physiotherapy several resources can be used to fight pain and bring back the balance and well-being of the person who has a herniated disc. Some treatment possibilities for people with severe pain are:
1. Use of electronic equipment
Devices such as ultrasound, galvanic current, TENS and laser can be used as anti-inflammatories that help to relieve symptoms, reducing pain and discomfort in the spine. They must be applied according to the need that the person presents, and their duration of action varies between 8 to 25 minutes, for each treatment area.
2. Heat
It is another way to relieve back pain and prepare the body for a massage, because it increases blood circulation and the arrival of more nutrients in the tissues. The heat can be used with heated bags or towels or infrared light, for example, for about 20 minutes.
3. Stretching for herniated disc
Stretching exercises are indicated from the beginning of physiotherapy sessions, being important to increase flexibility, normalizing muscle tone and reorganizing muscle fibers and are also excellent for improving body posture in everyday life.
4. Exercises for herniated discs
They are indicated for when the person does not have acute pain and help to strengthen muscle groups that are weak or unbalanced. There are several types of exercises that can be used, such as Global Postural Reeducation, Clinical Pilates and Hydrotherapy, for example, the latter 2 can also be used as physical activity.
RPG exercises are monotonous, but they are of great help, being one of the best options to avoid having to have surgery for herniated discs. Pilates exercises are particularly indicated because they strengthen small muscles, but very important that they keep the back straight and the strength of the abdomen, which also protects the spine. Hydrotherapy is performed inside the pool, being guided by a physiotherapist and consists of exercises that involve running in the water and even swimming.
In this video I indicate some exercises for sciatica, which are indicated in case of herniated discs:
5. Cervical or lumbar traction
This is a type of treatment that can be performed manually, where the physiotherapist holds the person's neck firmly, lying on a stretcher, keeping the spine aligned and pulling the head vertically, to promote a release of tension between the vertebrae, allowing greater hydration of the vertebral disc and sometimes, its return to the original location. Spine traction can also be performed on specific equipment that works in the same way, pulling the neck in one direction and the lumbar in the opposite direction, maintaining traction for 20 to 30 seconds, for about 5 to 10 repetitions, for example.
6. Handling techniques
Manipulation techniques can be performed on the spine and serve to reduce pressure on the spine, realign all body structures and often cause a feeling of greater lightness and ease of movement. This technique is particularly suitable for when the person has difficulty making certain movements because he feels 'stuck'.
Each physiotherapy session must be individualized and lasts about 1 hour, but in addition certain exercises must also be performed at home, when indicated by the physiotherapist.
See other treatment options for herniated discs.
Day-to-day care
The person who has a cervical or lumbar hernia needs some care that can help with pain relief, such as:
- Avoid sitting or lying down for more than 2 hours, as long as it is not for sleeping; Sleeping in the correct position of the spine; When lowering to pick up something from the floor, always bend your legs instead of bending your body forward; if in motion to decrease spine stiffness, it may be walking or cycling, for example; prefer a firm mattress that supports improved spine, also avoid sitting on very soft and low sofas and chairs; anti-inflammatory foods, such as ginger and salmon, are the most suitable whenever you have a spine crisis.
Check out these and other tips in the following video:
Exercises such as jumping rope or jumping classes at the gym are not the most recommended because they can favor the compression of the disc, starting a new picture of pain. Water exercises, such as water aerobics, are more suitable because in the water the body is lighter, not having so much impact on the joints and spine.
