Where does a spinal hernia come from and what to do with it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Sedentary work and being overweight increase the risks.

Most often, this violation develops imperceptibly. If you sometimes notice an unexplained dull back pain that worsens with physical exertion, coughing, sneezing, it may be it, an intervertebral hernia.

However, the symptoms are different, and sometimes they do not appear at all … Until the hernia turns into something more serious, such as sciatica or even a stroke.

What is a hernia of the spine

The official name for this disorder is a herniated disc (a flat formation between the vertebrae).

Resilient and reshaping discs allow the spine to flex and also absorb the stress it takes on. And everything would be fine, but discs are not extremely durable.

Specialists of the American research center Mayo Clinic compare the Herniated disk each of them with a jelly donut: inside there is a soft pulpous nucleus, which is enclosed in a fibrous ring made of dense tendons.

When we lean forward, and even with a load, the vertebrae contract and try to squeeze the "jelly donuts" back. In most cases, the intervertebral discs can withstand this load.

But if for some reason the ring of tendons has weakened, it can break - and the soft core will bulge outward from the intervertebral space. This situation is called a hernia of the spine.

Why is a hernia of the spine dangerous?

1. The pressure of the vertebra on the vertebra increases. The reasons are clear, as the spacer between them has become thinner. As a result, the vertebrae rub against each other, pain arises, and in the future - a variety of inflammatory processes.
2. The hernia presses on the roots of the spinal nerves. Pinching a nerve root is also quite painful. But it's not just pain: pressure on nerve endings can result in sciatica and even paralysis. And given that the spinal nerves transmit signals to the limbs and to the internal organs, soreness and malfunction of the arms, legs, bladder, liver, kidneys, and so on are possible.
3. The hernia presses on the nearby blood vessels. Because of this, the blood supply to organs and tissues deteriorates. The brain often suffers.

Where does a hernia of the spine come from?

These are the most common causes of SYMPTOMS OF A HERNIATED DISC that cause the annulus weakening.

1. You regularly lift something heavy, loading your lower back or shoulders.
2. You fell or otherwise injured your back.
3. You have problems with posture - scoliosis or the habit of sitting in a hunched position.
4. You spend a lot of time sitting.
5. You are suffering from osteochondrosis.
6. You are overweight.
7. You are constantly sleep deprived, because of which the spine does not have time to recover from the day's stress.

What are the symptoms of a hernia of the spine

Once again, we repeat that the symptoms of a Herniated disk hernia are varied, and in some cases they may not be present at all. Therefore, the best way to track the problem in time is to regularly undergo a preventive examination by an orthopedist or at least a therapist. And of course, do not ignore the signals that your back gives you.

Here's how a herniated disc manifests itself:

1. Aching pain of unknown origin, which from time to time appears in the lower back or cervical spine.
2. Shooting pain that sometimes accompanies sudden movements, such as turning or bending.
3. Lower back pain that radiates to the thigh or leg.
4. Pain in the cervical spine that radiates to the shoulder or arm.
5. Increased numbness or tingling sensation in the toes and / or groin.
6. Disorders of the genitourinary system: incontinence or urinary retention, constipation, diarrhea, erection problems.
7. Regular headaches, dizziness.
8. Blood pressure surges for no apparent reason.

If you experience at least one of these symptoms, be sure to consult your doctor. The physician will conduct a physical examination - as a rule, your complaints and examination are enough to make a diagnosis. Sometimes an X-ray, CT or MRI scan may be required: these studies will allow the specialist to rule out other causes of back pain and to determine the location of the hernia as accurately as possible.

How to treat a hernia of the spine

To regain your well-being, it is often enough to take the Herniated disk in two steps.

1. Get rid of pain

Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers based on ibuprofen or naproxen relieve pain well. The required dosage will be prescribed by your doctor. He will also recommend stronger drugs if over-the-counter drugs do not cope with the task.

You may also need anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants, medications to help relieve tension in your back muscles.

2. Learn to take good care of the spine

All the same doctor, most likely, will prescribe you exercise therapy - training aimed at strengthening the small muscles that support the spinal column. Thanks to them, your back will be able to carry loads more easily.

In addition, physical therapy will tell you how to properly lift weights, and teach you how to avoid sudden movements - twisting and bending of the spine.

3. Make an operation

Surgical treatment is prescribed only in extreme cases:

• If pain persists within 6 weeks.
• If the hernia is accompanied by progressive paresis (weakness in the legs) or failure of pelvic functions (loss of bladder and bowel control).

Most often, surgeons remove only the protruding part of the intervertebral disc. This is enough to relieve pressure on the nerve endings. In extremely rare cases, the damaged disk is removed altogether.

What else can you try

Here are the most common alternative treatments that can help you regain your wellness. But it is not exactly.

1. Acupuncture … Some studies Acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. show that acupuncture can actually relieve chronic back pain. However, scientists admit that this topic still needs to be worked out.
2. Chiropractic (manual therapy) … There is evidence that manipulations on the spine are moderately effective for back pain that lasts at least a month. However, with manual therapy, Adverse effects of spinal manipulation are possible: a systematic review is a serious side effect - up to a stroke.
3. Massage … A well-done massage provides short-term relief from chronic back pain.
4. Yoga … The combination of physical activity, breathing exercises and meditation also helps Yoga treatment for chronic non-specific low back pain relieve chronic pain in some people.