The spine is considered the foundation of human health. And the normal functioning of individual vertebrae directly depends on the state of the intervertebral discs, which play the role of peculiar pillows. With any physical exertion, the distance between the vertebrae should be maintained. During jumping or lifting weights, the disk acts as a shock absorber.
What is an intervertebral disc?
The distance between the individual vertebrae is filled with a special cartilaginous tissue. This is the intervertebral disc. Inside it there is a pulpous nucleus of a jelly-like consistency. The substances that make up the core make the disk resilient and elastic.
For a number of reasons, the walls of the intervertebral disc may lose their elasticity. Becoming less elastic, they cease to hold the core. When the contents protrude beyond the disc, an intervertebral hernia develops, causing pain and discomfort. The disease is quite insidious. The problem is that a hernia can develop simultaneously in several places. According to statistics, only 20% have one intervertebral hernia. Photos show that the disease most often develops in two or three places.
Causes of the problem
Not only the wrong lifestyle, but also a genetic predisposition can lead to unpleasant consequences. Often, a violation of salt metabolism in the bone apparatus leads to the development of intervertebral hernia. Bad sleep and stressful situations, poor nutrition and bad habits can also become a trigger for the development of the disease.
Untimely treatment of the spine leads to complications in the form of tumors and hernias. In order for it to function correctly, it is worth paying attention to the work of all organs. Any, even a minor ailment can cause serious problems.
The main source of nutrition for the intervertebral disc are muscles. In the absence of physical activity, valuable substances enter the spine in insufficient quantities. As a result, the disc becomes loose and less elastic. Soon there is an intervertebral hernia (photos of people suffering from this disease are presented in the article).
Key risk factors
A person who leads a healthy lifestyle, most often has no problems with either the spine or other organs. But, unfortunately, there are factors that cannot be influenced. Particular attention should be paid to the spine of people who have suffered severe viral diseases. Injury to the spine can also lead to a hernia.
According to statistics, spinal problems are more likely to occur in women. This is due to a number of physiological features. A hernia of the cervical spine in women is often found already in middle age. The disease develops quickly enough, and surgical treatment is often required for treatment.
Age is considered another risk factor. After 50 years, the intervertebral discs become less durable. The walls of the organ cease to fix the contents. As a result, an intervertebral hernia develops. The reasons for this may be completely unrelated to the patient’s lifestyle.
Prevention
Any disease is much easier to prevent than to treat it for a long time. No exception and problems with the spine. Particular attention should be paid to the muscle corset, which is responsible for the normal functioning of the organ in question. Simple physical exercises will contribute to its normal functioning, and a hernia will not be scary.
Effective training for a muscle corset can be called slopes. It should be remembered that when bent, the intervertebral discs experience a huge load. Therefore, exercises should be done only after a little warming up. Moderate speed jogging and squats are great workouts for your back muscles. Effective can be called walking up the stairs.
In order not to have to learn how to treat a hernia of the spine without surgery, you should constantly monitor your posture. This is especially true when working at a computer. The back should be constantly straight. The workplace should be equipped with a special computer desk and chair.
Symptoms
Often, many people attribute the back pain to a cold or muscle strain. In fact, the unpleasant sensations that are caused with the appearance of a hernia can hardly be confused with anything else. Discomfort may appear after a sharp increase in weight or in the wrong position at the desktop. Even a dull, prolonged pain may indicate that an intervertebral hernia has appeared. Treatment, reviews of which are very different, usually takes a lot of time. That's why when an unpleasant sensation occurs, you should consult a specialist.
Pain in the back with a hernia can have a growing character. At first, it does not prevent the patient from fully managing his duties. With sudden movements or coughing, discomfort can intensify and increase. Often the pain gives in the leg or arm. As a result, a person can no longer move normally. The pain subsides a little only while in bed.
Huge discomfort brings lumbar hernia of the spine. In any case, treatment should be started immediately so as not to aggravate the situation.
Complications
In addition to direct manifestations of the disease, symptoms such as decreased sensitivity in the affected area or its complete absence can occur. A person can observe the increased work of sweat glands. The skin becomes dry and irritated. The body temperature will be reduced, and small swelling will appear.
In the most severe cases, neurotrophic disorders occur in the area where the hernia occurs. Due to the fact that the muscles atrophy, weight loss is observed. In the case of increased pain, the patient cannot properly straighten his arm or leg.
An ailment in a severe stage will require considerable financial costs, since it will not be possible to treat a hernia of the spine without surgery. Only a timely visit to a specialist will help to avoid surgical intervention.
Localization
The doctor can begin treatment of the disease only after a full examination and diagnosis. First of all, the specialist must determine the severity of the disease, as well as its localization. Distinguish the intervertebral hernia of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar.
The most common is lumbar hernia of the spine. Treatment of the disease in most cases does not involve surgical intervention. The muscles of the lower back experience a huge load when carrying heavy loads. It is no coincidence that the disks in this department wear out first. Problems also arise in overweight people. A lot of weight can be called the main risk factor for the development of the disease.
Such a load as tipping the head and tilting it contributes to the development of a hernia in the cervical spine. Most often, a lesion in this place results from an injury. The height of the cervical vertebrae largely prevails over their width. In addition, the individual elements of the spine at the indicated location have a special anatomical shape. Therefore, the spine in this area is the most fragile.
The question of how to treat a hernia of the spine without surgery in the thoracic region is quite rare. This area is further stabilized by the rib cage. Disks here practically do not wear out. A hernia can occur only in the event of a hormonal failure or as a result of a serious injury.
Treatment of the spine without surgery
First of all, hernia repair will be aimed at preventing vertebral displacement. The doctor should remove the pain and contribute to the return of the patient to a normal lifestyle. In the early stages, the disease is eliminated without surgical intervention. A specialist can be prescribed medication, manual therapy, massage, as well as a special set of physical exercises.
The main importance is therapeutic massage and a little physical activity. Drug treatment has an auxiliary character. Medications prescribed by your doctor only help reduce pain. Some remedies may be effective only in the early stages of the disease.
A small intervertebral hernia, the causes of which are very diverse, is easily eliminated thanks to static loads. Using a special device, the spine is extended along the axis. This allows you to put in place the vertebrae and reduce the manifestations of the disease.
If you can’t do without surgery
Running cases require surgical intervention. Thanks to modern techniques, the intervertebral hernia is quite simply and quickly removed. The laser allows you to perform the operation as efficiently as possible. The needle is inserted into the affected disc, and then a laser light guide is installed. With the help of the latter, the liquid inside the disk turns into steam. The operation helps to reduce intra-disk pressure.
This eliminates the intervertebral hernia. Treatment, reviews of which are only positive, takes only 30-40 minutes. The term of hospitalization of the patient after surgery does not exceed three days. Complications when using modern techniques almost never arise.
Changing lifestyle
In order not to wonder about how to treat a hernia of the spine without surgery, you should first reconsider your lifestyle. Weight loss, walking in the fresh air and proper nutrition will contribute to the health of not only the spine, but also the whole body.
It should be remembered that the considered ailment does not appear immediately. Pain and other unpleasant symptoms appear only when the problem is already running. An excellent prevention can be an annual examination by a specialist and moderate physical activity.