Self-treatment of spinal hernia. How not to hurt yourself?

Herniated intervertebral discs are one of the most common and most unpleasant complications of osteochondrosis. Squeezing of the nerve roots with hernial formations at first causes a strong pain syndrome, which eventually subsides or goes away completely.

Further manifestations of the disease are accompanied by a loss of sensitivity of the limbs, a breakdown of the internal organs, a temporary or complete loss of motor ability, etc.

The causes of the disease

In the normal development of the body, the growth of the spinal column occurs up to 25-30 years. After this period, the activation of metabolism is somewhat reduced and there is a significant deterioration in the nutrition of the tissues not only of the spine, but also of the whole organism.

At about the same age, young people no longer actively engage in sports and lead a more relaxed lifestyle. This, together with bad habits, is the impetus for the thinning of the intervertebral discs and the development of other diseases of the spine (scoliosis, osteoporosis, sciatica, neuralgia, protrusion of the discs, etc.).

Physically hard work, long-lasting sports injuries or newly acquired ones gradually affect the elasticity of the spine and increase the risk of disc herniation. There is a chance to replenish the risk group and people who are overweight, lead a sedentary lifestyle, or vice versa, exhausting themselves too active in sports.

Clinical signs of the disease

The main danger of this disease is that severe pain syndromes are felt already at the acute stage of the disease. At the initial pores, the patient practically does not feel any discomfort, in some cases there is only a slight stiffness and limitation in muscle movements, aching pain after exercise or after a long stay in a static uncomfortable position. Sometimes painful sensations occur during sharp turns or lifting, but usually do not attach much importance.

The manifestation of the disease in the following stages is expressed in the feeling of weakness in the limbs, a certain loss of sensitivity and already stronger pain syndromes during sudden movements of the body. Conventionally, the development of the disease can be divided into two stages:

    Pain in the back, especially directly in the spine. Degenerative-dystrophic changes in the structure of the fibrous ring lead to its cracking and decrease in strength. Then begins the protrusion of the pulpal nucleus, which often causes swelling of adjacent tissues and the formation of adhesions. When neoplasms reach the nerve roots, an acute pain syndrome arises.
    At the next stage, the nature of the pain syndrome changes somewhat. Acute pain turns into chronic dullness, but squeezing and affecting the nerve roots cause their inflammation, which causes clinical signs in the extremities (loss of sensation, numbness, weakness, or vice versa).

Symptoms of the disease

As we have said, in the early stages it is extremely difficult to recognize and diagnose a hernia of intervertebral discs, as well as osteochondrosis, due to the absence of clinical manifestations. Patients usually go to the doctor with complaints of back pain, stiffness of motor functions, weakness of muscles and limbs, headaches, dizziness, impaired vision and hearing, etc.

The doctor, in addition to the main outpatient studies, may offer the patient to undergo MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography) or x-rays. All images will visualize dystrophic changes of the spine or the pathology of its elements, which will help to finally establish the diagnosis and begin the correct treatment. Even if the hernia of vertebral discs was not established on the study, and only the initial stage of osteochondrosis was noted, it is still necessary to undergo a course of treatment in order not to start the disease.

Most often, hernia of intervertebral discs occurs in the lumbosacral spine, affects the cervical region a little less often, and most rarely occurs in the thoracic region. In our country, spinal hernia is rarely treated with surgery (only in especially critical situations when conservative methods of treatment have not brought relief), while almost 50% of cases abroad are treated with the help of operations.
Depending on which part of the spine the disease is located in, the symptoms of its manifestation will be different.

With the defeat of the cervical region are characteristic:

    pains extending to the shoulders and upper limbs;
    headaches and dizziness, sometimes to loss of consciousness;
    sudden jumps in blood pressure;
    numbness of the fingers of the upper limbs;
    feeling cold in the upper limbs;
    disorders of sleep, hearing, vision, psychological state, sometimes memory.

With the defeat of the thoracic is noted:

    chronic pain in the sternum, especially after exercise or a long stay in an uncomfortable position;
    thoracic pain syndrome, aggravated by scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis;
    pain under the shoulder blades;
    pains in the heart, especially with sudden movements of the body.

With the defeat of the lumbosacral are observed:

    local pain in the lumbar region (lumbago), which increases even with low loads;
    pains in the buttocks, the back of the thigh and lower leg;
    feeling of weakness, numbness and tingling of the lower limbs;
    sensation of coldness of the lower limbs;
    failure of the organs located in the pelvic bones (urinary disturbance, potency, incontinence).

Treatment of herniated intervertebral discs

Patients suffering from this disease must have patience during treatment. Full recovery is possible, but subject to the implementation of all measures and procedures prescribed by the doctor.

In some cases, pain syndromes with herniated intervertebral discs subside after five to six weeks. A period of remission begins, and surgery is not proposed. The operation is carried out only as an extreme measure with the failure of conservative treatment, which could not alleviate the pain syndrome, the disease caused neurological complications. Or when compressing the horse's tail (severe pain in the buttock, the back of the thigh with the transition to the lower leg, cutting pains in the lower abdomen, incontinence of feces and urine, weakening of potency).

Another significant drawback of surgical intervention is the operative trauma received by the patient when the hernia is removed through a trephination incision. Nowadays, with the advent of surgical microscopes and the development of microsurgical technologies, this hole is being kept to a minimum in order to damage the surrounding inflamed tissue as little as possible.

The basis of conservative treatment is drug therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In many cases, a method of blocking the pathological site using corticosteroids has proven effective. As we have said, the pain passes with time, but this does not mean that the disease is cured. During the first acute period, the patient is prescribed a sparing regimen or, in particularly difficult situations, bed rest.
The blockade quickly relieves pain, muscle spasm, and, consequently, pinching of inflamed nerve roots. The patient feels relieved, his motor ability returns, the movements become more active and the person feels that he is ready for normal physical exertion.

Often at this stage, patients think that the treatment has already been completed (after all, relief has come), but this is only a temporary effect. If you do not continue intensive therapy after some time, the disease will manifest itself with a new force and may lead to more negative consequences.

In some cases, the doctor may prescribe an extension of the spine to reduce compression of the trapped area. Often, this contributes to a more rapid recovery, but it is not worthwhile to prescribe yourself a stretching procedure, especially at home, as this process should be observed by the attending physician. Otherwise, you risk aggravating the situation and cause new injuries to the damaged spine.

Modern conservative methods of treatment suggest the use of therapy with multifunctional electrodes, treatment with shock wave therapy. In addition to the main purposes it is recommended to carry out exercise therapy, general massages, manual therapy of the spine, it is useful to do swimming. All additional measures are aimed at restoring and strengthening the corset of the back muscles, restoring elasticity and physical activity. After all, the human body is unique and able to self-repair, the main thing is to correctly direct it to recovery.

Self-treatment of spinal hernia

Some patients, who do not particularly care for medical institutions, are convinced that any diseases can be defeated at home on their own. This also applies to herniated discs. Many reference books of traditional medicine and information from the Internet convince that it is possible to recover by performing some simple physical therapy exercises or applying compresses of herbs.

Perhaps all these rubbing and ointments with honey, onions, iodine, menthol or fortifying massages are effective, but already in the period of recovery. At the first moment of the onset of acute pain or the manifestation of other symptoms of the disease is not recommended, and in some cases it is even strictly forbidden to do massages.

At the first signs of illness (numbness of the limbs, tingling in them, feelings of weakness in the muscles, etc.), it is better to contact the doctor, who will order you to undergo an MRI or CT scan, and, based on these results, will be able to correctly diagnose.

Therefore, do not immediately rush to put compresses, align the spine, lying on the floor for an hour and in no case do not engage in self-stretching of the vertebrae. In this case, all methods of traditional medicine are aimed at deep warming of soft tissues and removal of pain syndromes, but they will not help you to get rid of anxious illness.

Thus, with this disease, self-treatment at home is generally not allowed, unless of course you have set yourself the task of becoming an invalid, and further treatment with traditional methods should be carried out as an additional to the main therapy, under strict supervision of the attending physician and only with his approval.

If you have a genetic predisposition to diseases of the spine, but the main symptoms have not yet been observed, in order to prevent, you can conduct courses of massages, physical therapy and other healing activities. But for their own reassurance to people engaged in heavy physical labor, former athletes and people who lead a low-active lifestyle, doctors recommend at least once a year to undergo a medical examination. It will be useful at any age for a real assessment of the condition of your spine and the body as a whole.

And the rest, as they say, "the matter of technology"! With the right and reasonable attitude to your body, you will prolong its youth, physical fitness and be healthy. Some tips for keeping your back and spine in working condition:

    try not to lift sharply weights (if it is necessary, bend your knees, keeping your back straight, which will allow you to evenly distribute the load on the spine);
    try to avoid sharp turns or tilting of the body, especially when accompanied by weight lifting;
    avoid drafts, do not overcool the back and the whole body;
    lead an active lifestyle, especially if you have a sedentary job;
    do prophylactic gymnastics, go to the gym, swim;
    it is not necessary and much to exhaust the body with loads (they must be within reasonable limits);
    Try to get rid of bad habits or at least reduce them to a minimum.

And remember, hernia of intervertebral discs is not a sentence, it can always be cured in the initial stages. And even with a completely neglected version, with appropriate and proper treatment, one can remain vigorous, able-bodied and enjoy life.