home Auditorium 7 Pillow and correct sleeping positions for spinal hernia. How to sit correctly with a lumbar disc herniation Reducing pressure on the lower back

Pillow and correct sleeping positions for spinal hernia. How to sit correctly with a lumbar disc herniation Reducing pressure on the lower back

How to sit with a spinal hernia so as not to provoke discomfort in the back and not aggravate the pain? Spinal diseases cause a lot of inconvenience. Even simple actions such as sitting or lying down cause some discomfort.

You need to be less in a static position

The very first and most important rule for the intervertebral form of the disease is to be in a static position as little as possible. You need to constantly listen to your body, and if staying in one position or another is uncomfortable, then you need to change it. You must keep your head and back straight at all times. If you sit comfortably in a sitting position with your leg stretched out so that pain is felt there, then there are no contraindications to this position. When you want to lean to the side, this action can also be performed while sitting. The main thing to remember is that you should never make sudden movements. If the pain symptom begins to intensify, this means that the position was chosen incorrectly. With this disease, exercise therapy can be of great help, but it must be remembered that some exercises may have contraindications.

For any diseases of the spine, you should try to unload the lower back, because it usually bears the most significant load. How to sit with a herniated spine if the pain constantly causes suffering? If you have to do work in a sitting position, you need to sit in one position for no more than 15 minutes, and then slowly change it. This does not mean a radical change in body position; it is enough to slightly change the position of the back, arms or legs.

With a hernia, like any other back disease, you need to lean on the back of a chair. In this case, it is important to choose the right fulcrum, that is, the bend of the back.

If you tilt your head or upper body while sitting, this position of the body will provoke a deterioration in the condition of the intervertebral tissues, which is caused by a hernia.

Choosing the right distance

It is important to try not to slouch. A correctly selected distance from your head to the table will help you cope with the task - such that you don’t have to bend over the papers.

If you strain your body muscles, this will cause pain, but relaxing them as much as possible is also harmful to your back.

Therefore, it is important to calculate everything, relying only on your own feelings and well-being, and at the same time find a “golden mean”. In some cases, choosing it is quite simple: you need to correctly adjust the height of the chair - it should be oriented so that the seat is at the level of the bend of the knees.

Don’t slouch, don’t strain, but don’t relax either

The back of your thigh may press slightly against the edge of the seat. However, it is important to ensure that the pressure is not excessive - otherwise blood circulation in the lower extremities will be disrupted. To reduce pressure, it is best to use a special small footstool. In this case, it is necessary to take breaks from work after every 30-40 minutes. Slow walking in place gives good results in such cases. During a break, you need to relax your arms, allowing them to hang down freely.

Breathing exercises consisting of deep inhalations and exhalations, which are performed in a sitting position, will help reduce pain symptoms. During breathing exercises, the muscles of the back of the head and shoulder girdle must be relaxed. 10-15 deep breaths and exhalations are enough to feel relief.

Learning how to sleep properly when you have a herniated disc can help you relieve back pain. First of all, you need to find the optimal position for your body and be willing to try several possible positions. Once you've decided on the position that best suits you, you can make your sleep even more comfortable by choosing the right bed, mattress and pillows. Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxers and recommend a pain reliever to take before bed. Medicines will help provide you with adequate sleep, which is very important for relieving pain and creating conditions for the healing of a damaged intervertebral disc.

Steps

Choosing the right sleeping position

Sleep on your side to relieve pain. If you have a herniated disc, sleeping on your side may be the best option. Try sleeping in the fetal position with a body pillow to support you when you lie on your side. This will help relieve some of the pain associated with a frontal herniated disc.

Having a body pillow will help align your back and neck when you sleep on your side.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach if you have a herniated disc. Sleeping on your stomach is the worst option even for a person with a healthy back. At the same time, the natural curve of the spine is straightened, which puts additional stress on the back muscles. If you have been diagnosed with a herniated disc, you should under no circumstances sleep on your stomach.

Try sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees. If you have a herniated disc, a good option is to sleep on your back with your knees slightly bent and supported by a hard pillow. This position allows you to relieve stress from the lower part of the spine and provide the most optimal conditions for healing the injury during sleep. Simply place a medium-sized pillow under your knees to support them.
- You can also elevate your feet by placing one or more pillows under your heels.
Try a few different sleeping positions. Each person with a herniated disc should have their own experience with sleep. A pose that works well for one person may not necessarily work for someone else. Try several different sleeping positions and choose the one that gives you the least amount of pain.
- Try to fall asleep in a new position. If you wake up in the middle of the night in a different position, try to return to a new sleeping position.
Place a pillow between your legs to ease the load on your spine. If you choose to sleep on your side, try sleeping with a pillow between your knees. This will be more comfortable and will remove some of the load from the spine.
- Try using a small memory foam pillow that will conform to the contours of your body.

Promoting quality night sleep

Go to bed only when you feel sleepy. If you have a herniated disc, your pain is likely to be worse at night. If you go to bed without feeling tired, falling asleep on its own will be difficult, and even more so with pain in the spine. Try to go to bed only when you are tired.

Don't use electronics before bed. Light from phones, computers and other devices can trick your body into thinking it's still day. This will make it more difficult for you to fall asleep. Try to turn off all electronic devices about half an hour before going to bed.

Keep your bedroom dark and cool. Achieving a good night's sleep will be easier if you keep your bedroom completely dark and at a cool temperature. Try to close night curtains to block light from entering the room through the window. Keep your bedroom at a cool but comfortable temperature.

Avoid late meals, alcohol and caffeine. Eating immediately before bed, drinking alcohol and drinking caffeinated drinks can disrupt night's sleep. Don't eat 2-3 hours before bedtime. Additionally, limit your caffeine intake after two or three in the afternoon. You should also limit evening alcohol consumption, as it can lead to restless sleep.

Exercise regularly. Staying physically active during the day can improve your sleep at night. If you have a sedentary job, be sure to periodically get up and walk around the building or office. Also try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity almost every day (walk, bike or swim).

Use special relaxation techniques . Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and self-hypnosis will be helpful in relieving pain and promoting a quality night's sleep. Try to spend at least 15 minutes a day using your chosen relaxation technique. If you practice relaxation immediately before bed, it will be especially beneficial.
- To unwind before bed, you can also try taking a warm bath or shower, listening to soothing music, or drinking herbal tea.
Use a special fitness roller to do some back stretching before bed. Back stretching using a fitness roller is also useful for relaxation and preparation for sleep. Use a foam roller just before you go to bed to stretch your back muscles and promote good sleep.

With a hernia, like any other back disease, you need to lean on the back of a chair. In this case, it is important to choose the right fulcrum, that is, the bend of the back.

If you tilt your head or upper body while sitting, this position of the body will provoke a deterioration in the condition of the intervertebral tissues, which is caused by a hernia.

Choosing the right distance

It is important to try not to slouch. A correctly selected distance from your head to the table will help you cope with the task - such that you don’t have to bend over the papers.

If you strain your body muscles, this will cause pain, but relaxing them as much as possible is also harmful to your back.

Therefore, it is important to calculate everything, relying only on your own sensations and well-being, and at the same time find a “golden mean”. In some cases, choosing it is quite simple: you need to correctly adjust the height of the chair - it should be oriented so that the seat is at the level of the bend of the knees.

Don’t slouch, don’t strain, but don’t relax either

To feel rested and invigorated after a night's sleep, even with a diagnosis such as intervertebral hernia, you need to learn how to sleep correctly. This knowledge will help slow down the progression of the disease and avoid further injury. Here it is important to monitor the evenness of the spine and prevent its curvature.

An adjustable bed can be the optimal place to sleep. It is this that causes less pain when we begin to go to bed, due to the raised headboard. The upper part can be adjusted in height, choosing the optimal one for comfort. This elevated position reduces strain and pain.

The stores have a large assortment of orthopedic accessories, and the problem of choosing what to sleep on should not arise. You should choose a mattress of medium hardness. It is better to focus on your own weight. Double-sided mattresses are very comfortable, when one side is hard (suitable for exacerbation of the disease), the second is softer (used for the rehabilitation period).

When choosing a pillow, you should pay attention to an orthopedic one with neck support. This will help reduce stress throughout your back.

It is better to select all items from environmentally friendly materials, without allergens and foreign odors.

Sleeping positions

After purchasing bedding, you should learn to sleep in the correct position. Sleep takes up a third of our lives, and optimal body position not only promotes treatment, but also speeds up the healing process. For example, it is dangerous to sleep on your stomach with this disease. With it, the spine bends down, creating additional stress on the back muscles. Optimal sleep time depends on many factors. You should approach the night in an already relaxed, calm state, so that nothing in the next 8 hours bothers you.

It is important to get into and out of bed correctly. First, sit on the edge of the mattress, then, holding your back with your hand, lower yourself while lifting your leg and transferring it to the bed. Also, when getting up after sleep, we move our body to the edge and slowly rise, while lowering our legs to the floor. We do all movements carefully so as not to disturb the spine.

For cervical hernia

In order to sleep comfortably with a herniated cervical spine, you need to control the straight line of the neck, parallel to the bed. This effect is achieved by two poses:

on the side;
on the back.

When sleeping on your side, one hand should always rest on the pillow. The leg can be bent, the other leg can be straightened. If it is more convenient for the patient to bend both legs, then it is necessary to place, for example, a folded blanket between them.

When lying on your back, turning your neck is not allowed; your head lies straight. An extra pillow should be placed under your knees.

For thoracic hernia

If the thoracic spine is affected, you will have to remember the childish fetal position. This is a pose on your side with your knees bent towards you. The head should be elevated on the pillow to facilitate breathing.

For lumbar hernia

Hernias affecting the lower back are the most common. Therefore, many patients ask the question of how to sleep with hernias of the lumbar spine.

on your back with a pillow placed under your knees;
on your back with your legs raised;
on the side with two pillows, one supporting the neck, the second between the legs.

Elevating the legs for a lumbar hernia helps reduce pain and relieve muscle tension, and the lateral position aligns the spine, ensuring its comfort.

Sleeping during pregnancy

The load of a growing fetus often provokes intervertebral hernia in a pregnant woman. But the disease can appear before pregnancy, so a young mother should strain her back as little as possible, the pressure on which will increase every week.

For an expectant mother, the position on her back is extremely uncomfortable, so the optimal position for her would be to sleep on her side. She needs to use two pillows: an orthopedic one under her head and a regular one between her legs, the position of the spine should be level. For a growing belly, the latter will be very convenient. It is recommended to position the legs as follows: the lower one is straightened, the upper one is bent and pushed forward. Laying down, as well as getting up, should be done slowly, without sudden movements.

It is better not to joke with such a diagnosis as herniated intervertebral discs, since the spinal cord passes through the spinal canal, from which nerves depart that provide innervation to organs and systems. Naturally, when nerve endings are compressed, not only symptoms of pain may appear, but also disturbances in the functioning of certain organs. According to statistics, it is the lumbar region that is often affected, since it accounts for not only motor activity, but also the need to withstand body weight. The lower back is often susceptible to injury during sudden movements, due to muscle overstrain when lifting heavy objects, and, as is known, it is not so easy to relieve pain when the lumbar area hurts. Let's look at the causes and signs of a lumbar spinal hernia, as well as the principles of treatment, including pain relief, physical therapy, tips on how to sleep and how to sit correctly. Let's look at what a hernia is in terms of anatomy and physiology.

The lumbar spine consists of 5 large vertebrae connected to each other by intervertebral discs, which, in turn, create a shock-absorbing function. Discs are also necessary to evenly distribute the load across the lumbar region. The reliability of the disc is ensured by the fibrous ring, and inside this ring there is a core of semi-liquid consistency. With increasing loads, after a back injury or other circumstances, destruction of the fibrous ring is possible, that is, the appearance of cracks through which the core partially enters the spinal canal - protrudes. Thus, over time, a herniated disc forms, which, in turn, can compress nerve endings, blood vessels, and narrow the lumen of the spinal canal, which leads to negative consequences. The patient may be at risk of disability due to a hernia, disrupting the functions of the genitourinary system, gastrointestinal tract, causing paralysis of the lower extremities, so we will consider the causes and risk factors to protect ourselves from this pathology.

Causes

Intervertebral hernia is one of the rare pathologies that can be caused by both an overly active lifestyle and a sedentary lifestyle. Most often, a person is faced with the fact that he has signs of a hernia of the cervical spine and lumbar region. A herniated disc in the lumbar region can be caused by constant stress on the muscular system, that is, people whose work involves lifting heavy objects or working with vibrations suffer. The second risk group is athletes, and weightlifters are especially susceptible. If at a young age intense training keeps the muscular system in good shape, then with the cessation of training, old injuries and damage to the musculoskeletal corset in the lumbar region begin to appear.

In women, childbirth is often the cause of a hernia, and it may not be the birth itself that is to blame, but weight gain during pregnancy, and after it, carrying the child in your arms. There are problematic births, when the fetus is large or has an incorrect presentation, then the risk of spinal injury increases.

Risk factors for developing a hernia in the spine:

getting a back injury, especially in an accident when the body experiences a shock or jerk;
a blow to the back with a blunt object or a fall from a height onto the back;
impaired metabolism due to alcohol abuse, junk food, diabetes, smoking;
lack of vitamins and minerals, a particularly pronounced condition with the aging of the body;
obesity, which increases the load on the lower back.

Most often, these reasons are combined, for example, people with diabetes are prone to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. It is worth noting that a lumbar hernia is not immediately noticeable, since the disease is characterized by progression, a slow onset of the development of the pathological process. A degenerative-dystrophic process is observed in the spine, accompanied by impaired nutrition of the discs, which is why it loses its strength. That is why the disease can also be caused by various infections, such as tuberculosis and syphilis, which affect the body systemically.

And of course, do not forget about the factor predisposing to hernia – osteochondrosis. Most patients with a hernia have a history of this disease, since osteochondrosis affects the structure and nutrition of the spine.

Symptoms

Most often, a hernia in the lower back develops between the L4-L5 vertebrae, a little less often the sacral region is also involved in the process, that is, in L5-S1, which is why we can conclude that the lower lumbar region suffers and this is associated with increased loads on this area.

Consequently, the symptoms often involve in the process not only the lumbar area, but also the buttocks and lower extremities, which is why the disease is characterized by complications such as lumbago, pinching of the sciatic nerve, radiculopathy and others. Therefore, it is better for patients with a hernia not to joke with their health, so as not to trigger the disease, since complications of a hernia lead to the fact that the patient is often unable not only to run or swim, but also to walk normally.

The pathology is characterized by symptoms of pain, the strength of which increases with exercise. If there is compression of the nerve endings, then lumbago appears - a sharp pain with every movement, which goes away at rest. Pain relief for lumbago with conventional drugs (analgesics, NSAIDs) is not always helpful, so, as a rule, patients seek medical help. In addition to pain, a person with this diagnosis suffers from stiffness in the lower back, sensitivity is impaired, and a burning and tingling sensation appears at the site of the hernia formation.

When inflammation develops due to compression of the spinal cord or nerve endings, additional symptoms appear. In addition to the fact that the pain sharply intensifies from turning or tilting the torso, the sensations of pain spread to the buttock area, go down the legs, right up to the toes. The patient may experience problems with the genitourinary system, manifested in decreased potency, retention, or, conversely, uncontrolled urination. The gastrointestinal tract may be affected. If the hernia is not treated, the patient is at risk of developing paresis and paralysis.

Conservative treatment

With the help of conservative treatment, it is unlikely that it will be possible to cure the hernia completely; in many respects, everything depends on the size of the hernia, but if you start treatment in the early stages, you can stop its growth, that is, stop its progression. Moreover, if you strengthen the muscle corset, you can avoid squeezing the nerve endings, which is why doctors often resort to non-surgical treatment.

Therapy has two directions at once, the first of which is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of pain. The following methods are used for this:

drug therapy - drugs from the NSAID group (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Meloxicam), muscle relaxants (Sirdalur, Mydocalm);
non-traditional methods - acupuncture (acupuncture), by the way, acupuncture can only be performed by a doctor;
spinal blockade using hormones - Diprospan, Kenalog in combination with Lidocaine.

A blockade for a herniated lumbar spine is prescribed when other methods of pain relief are ineffective, since the introduction of hormones poses a risk of developing side effects. The hernia is blocked once every 3 months, more often in advanced cases. Acupuncture for hernias is used to reduce pain symptoms.

The second direction of treatment is aimed at strengthening the muscles, which requires training to pump up the muscles. But do not forget that the training program should be selected individually. A popular technique is hyperextension for a herniated lumbar spine, that is, special exercises aimed at strengthening the muscles of the lower back. For this purpose, special simulators are used for hernia.

A lumbar bandage, which must be worn as directed by a doctor, helps reduce the load on the spine. Some doctors recommend using an exercise bike for exercise. By the way, it is not recommended to pump the abs during a hernia in the usual position from the floor, so you should not perform exercise therapy exercises that the doctor has not prescribed.

Swimming is effective for hernia, which is why swimming is recommended for prevention, especially for people with spinal curvature. A swimming pool can replace sea water, and if you go to the pool with osteochondrosis, the chance of developing a hernia decreases. If a woman is expecting childbirth, then she is also recommended to visit the pool, but she needs to work out with a trainer and after consulting a gynecologist, then the birth will be successful.

By the way, about issues of prevention. You can give a technique that helps strengthen, pump up all muscle groups and protect the spine from osteochondrosis, hernia - this is a fitball. Fitball is an excellent prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, which consists of exercising with a special elastic ball.

Don’t forget about nutrition if you have a herniated disc. It is necessary to exclude alcohol, cigarettes, fatty and fried foods. It is recommended to add vitamins to your diet.

Physiotherapy for lumbar hernia is often indicated to relieve inflammation. The question arises: is it possible to use all ERT techniques; the answer is no. A doctor can select procedures, since electrical stimulation has a number of contraindications. Electrophoresis helps well with hernia of the lumbar spine.

Prevention of complications

Now he will talk about what is and is not possible with the disease, that is, contraindications for a hernia of the lumbar spine. Be sure to follow a diet for a hernia; walking helps, since a sedentary lifestyle negatively affects the disease.

Massage and going to the pool are allowed, that is, swimming is not only possible, but also necessary. Among exercise therapy exercises, lifting weights is prohibited, that is, strength exercises, techniques that can severely stretch muscles and ligaments. Squats are only shown in the early stages. By the way, squats and abdominal pumping help with preventive purposes, and as you know, prevention is better than cure.

You cannot self-prescribe painkillers for a hernia, lift heavy objects, or sit on a chair for a long time. Many people are concerned about the question of how to live with such a diagnosis, but with early treatment and following the recommendations, you can even prevent disability.

Of course, in advanced cases, surgery is necessary and a long rehabilitation period is required, which includes a swimming pool, ERT, and exercise therapy.

2017-01-19

Intervertebral hernia of the lumbosacral region

The lumbar spine consists of 5 vertebrae, between which are intervertebral discs. The sacrum is represented by one bone, the sacrum. The last lumbar vertebra is also connected to the sacrum by a disc. Accordingly, hernias can occur at any of the listed levels, but most often the cartilage tissue between the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebrae, as well as between the 5th lumbar and 1st sacral vertebrae, is affected.

Hernia of the lumbosacral spine occurs most often, since it is this part of the spinal column that bears the maximum load. A hernia is a protrusion of the inner part of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus), which occurs as a result of degenerative changes in the cartilage tissue and rupture of the fibrous capsule of the disc. This is a complication of a disease such as osteochondrosis, although traumatic disc herniations can rarely occur.

A lumbosacral hernia is a dangerous disease, since the protrusion can put pressure on the spinal cord if the hernia forms at the level of the 1st-3rd lumbar vertebrae, or on a bundle of nerve fibers inside and outside the spinal canal if the protrusion appears at the level 4th lumbar-1st sacral vertebra (since at this level there is no spinal cord inside the canal).

Causes

There are several reasons for the formation of intervertebral hernias. As a rule, they appear as a result of a degenerative-dystrophic process such as osteochondrosis. For a long time, this disease was considered to be normal age-related changes, but in the last few years, the incidence of osteochondrosis has increased significantly among young people and even teenagers. This proves that it's not just about age. An important role is played by factors that contribute to disruption of metabolic processes and nutrition of the cartilage tissue of the discs, as well as constant overload of certain segments of the spine.

Risk factors for developing intervertebral hernia:

working conditions when the lumbar region is subject to constant loads, which cause microtraumas inside the cartilage tissue and disc degeneration, for example, working as a loader, gardener, staying in one position for a long time (office workers);
spinal injuries;
congenital and acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
curvature of the spine;
excess body weight;
poor development of back muscles;
metabolic and endocrinological diseases.

Important to remember! The described risk factors do not mean that their owners will necessarily develop an intervertebral hernia, but the more such negative influences, the greater the chance of getting sick. Therefore, people who are at risk should take preventive measures to prevent pathology.

Symptoms

Signs of an intervertebral hernia depend primarily on its size, level of occurrence and type (depending on location).

There are several types of disc protrusion relative to the circumference of the spine:

Posterolateral. These are the most dangerous and clinically significant types of formations, since the protrusion is directed into the spinal canal (medial), which can lead to compression of the spinal cord tissue. Also, the hernia can be turned towards the spinal roots (foraminal and paramedian) and cause their inflammation, irritation or compression with corresponding consequences.
Lateral or lateral. In this case, the hernial sac prolapses away from the spinal column. Such a hernia is not dangerous; it can cause symptoms only if it reaches a large size.
Ventral. Diagnosed when the protrusion is located in front of the spine. This type of hernia never causes pathological symptoms and is not of particular clinical interest; as a rule, it is diagnosed accidentally during examination for another reason.
Common. In this case, the protrusion occurs along the entire perimeter of the disc. It can be circular, when the disc is squeezed out evenly, or diffuse, when it prolapses unevenly. In both the first and second cases, the hernia poses a serious problem and health hazard, as it often causes compression of the structures of the nervous system.

Depending on their size, lumbosacral hernias can be classified as follows:

small (1-5 mm), which require mainly outpatient conservative treatment, exercise therapy, and possibly the use of spinal traction;
medium (6-8 mm), treats them on an outpatient basis, surgery is not indicated;
large (9-12 mm), which they try to treat conservatively, but surgery may be prescribed for symptoms of spinal cord compression or the development of cauda equina syndrome;
giant (more than 12 mm), surgical treatment; conservative therapy can only be used if there are contraindications to surgical correction.

As a rule, the disease develops gradually over several years. Symptoms of the pathology appear if the protrusion causes irritation, inflammation or compression of the nerve roots that exit the spinal canal, or the tissue of the spinal cord is compressed.

The main symptom that indicates a lumbosacral hernia is pain. Lower back pain can have several options:

Lumbodynia is chronic pain in the lower back of low or moderate intensity. They appear or worsen in case of overload of the spine or awkward movements.
Lumbago is an acute pain that occurs suddenly in the lumbar region in the form of a lumbago, its intensity is very high. Pain forces a person to freeze in the movement in which he is when the pain overtook him, and does not allow him to straighten up. Lasts several minutes, then gives way to lumbodynia.
Lumboischalgia. This pain syndrome is characterized, in addition to typical lumbodynia, by the spread of pain along the sciatic nerve (posterior surface of the buttock and thigh). It can be either one-sided or occur in both legs at once.

In parallel with the pain syndrome, patients feel stiffness in the lower back, limited range of motion, muscle tension in this area, and crunching or clicking may occur when moving in the spine.

The following symptoms indicate damage to the spinal cord or nerve endings:

decreased muscle strength in the lower extremities;
foot paresis;
impaired sensitivity of the skin of the legs;
muscular atrophy of the lower extremities (you may notice muscle loss);
various disorders of the pelvic organs (retention or incontinence of urine, feces);
erectile dysfunction in men, loss of genital sensitivity in women;
when the spinal cord is compressed, paralysis of the legs (lower paraparesis) can occur.

If the hernia is located at the level of the 3rd lumbar-1st sacral vertebra, then the bundle of nerve fibers that extend from the spinal cord may be compressed, since at this level the spinal cord is no longer present. In this case, cauda equina syndrome develops. These nerves provide sensory and motor innervation to the lower extremities and pelvic organs. This function suffers when the cauda equina is compressed.

Diagnostics

In each case, a spinal hernia requires detailed diagnosis, because there are several dozen other diseases that can manifest similar symptoms. Also, clarifying the location, type of protrusion, and its size plays an important role in drawing up a treatment program.

Diagnostic methods:

neurological examination,
standard set of laboratory tests,
radiography of the spine,
MRI or CT scan of the lumbosacral spine.

Treatment

Treatment of lumbosacral hernia can be conservative or surgical. As a rule, at an early stage of the disease, the success of conservative therapy is very high and reaches 90%, but only if all medical recommendations are followed. The following methods are used:

drug therapy (analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, decongestants, chondroprotectors, B vitamins, drugs to normalize microcirculation);
special complexes of therapeutic exercises (therapeutic exercises)
spinal blocks with local anesthetics, corticosteroid hormones to relieve acute pain;
spinal traction;
kinesiotherapy;
massage;
physiotherapeutic procedures;
Spa treatment.

If conservative therapy is ineffective for 6 months, there is constant severe pain, or there is a threat of spinal cord compression or the presence of such, surgical treatment of the hernia begins.

There are many methods of surgical intervention on the spine for a hernia, in particular, modern and minimally invasive ones. The choice of the necessary procedure is made by a specialist doctor, based on the individual situation of each patient.

It is important to note that, despite modern technologies and surgical techniques, surgical treatment of a spinal hernia is always a big risk; in addition, in such cases, long-term rehabilitation is required, on which half the success depends. Therefore, it is better to try to get rid of the problem using conservative methods, which, in addition to the therapeutic effect, also have a preventive effect.

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Osteochondrosis and its manifestations have recently become literally unprecedentedly widespread, gradually acquiring epidemic proportions. Many people do not think about why this disease, which was previously experienced only by older people, now affects even young people, not to mention the middle age category.

Perhaps the most common manifestation of osteochondrosis is intervertebral hernia - an extremely unpleasant problem that can seriously worsen the quality of life of any person. And the leader among such manifestations, due to the structural features of the human body, is a hernia of the lumbosacral spine.

What causes this problem, what are its symptoms, how to prevent its occurrence and what treatment is necessary if you have already encountered a similar problem?

Causes of intervertebral hernia

Unfortunately, to this day it is unknown why a herniated disc develops. The only precisely known fact is a direct connection with metabolic disorders in the spinal column. Thus, it turns out that an intervertebral hernia can equally occur with excessive physical stress and with insufficient stress on the spine. In both of these cases, there is a disruption in the process of blood circulation and metabolism in the muscles and cartilage tissues that surround the spine.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that the intervertebral disc itself does not have its own blood vessels; it receives nutrients from surrounding tissues by diffusion. This process is quite reliable, but it is very dependent on whether the necessary amount of movement and load is present, and with modern sedentary lifestyles this is a real problem.

Another, no less important point is the presence of necessary vitamins and microelements in the tissues that surround the intervertebral disc. Even if the amount of load is sufficient, it may happen that the body simply does not have one or more components that are necessary for the normal functioning of the disc. This is quite a serious problem, considering the fact that the diet of an ordinary person is now little compatible with the concept of “healthy” - what we eat is mostly products of not very high quality, generously “flavored” with various chemical components, which increase shelf life , and improve the taste, etc. At the same time, such components themselves are also not at all harmless, but that’s another question.

We are not talking about the fact that you need to join the “adherents” of a healthy lifestyle and start eating exclusively grass and salad, you just need to reconsider your diet a little and more often give preference to healthy foods rather than tasty ones. Even simply eating organic foods can largely solve this problem.

Risk factors

Considering all of the above, we can identify some very specific risk factors. This:

low mobility and weakened back muscles;
excessive static or dynamic loads on the spine;
damage or injury to the spinal column or intervertebral disc;
congenital defects in the development of the musculoskeletal system;
scoliosis;
osteochondrosis;
bad habits that cause innervation and disruption of blood supply to both the discs themselves and the surrounding ligaments and muscles.

In addition, it should be remembered that a herniated intervertebral disc most often manifests itself in the lumbosacral region for the reason that this is where the center of body mass is located, and the spine itself bears the maximum load, so the slightest disruption of the intervertebral discs immediately leads to the appearance of protrusions , and then - hernia.

How does the disease manifest itself?

With a problem such as a herniated sacral spine, symptoms may not appear immediately. The specificity of this department suggests that there is a certain “reserve” here, which is necessary to ensure the mobility of this part of the spine, therefore, in some cases, disc protrusion, and sometimes a full-fledged hernia, practically does not manifest itself in the early stages. However, there are some signs that you should pay attention to and consult a doctor without waiting for full-blown pain syndromes to develop.

Stiffness in the lower back that occurs during physical activity, difficulty in independent movements;
change in skin temperature of one of the legs;
violations of muscle tone in one of the legs, with progressive atrophy or malnutrition often observed;
the appearance of neurological symptoms (burning, numbness, lumbago and sciatica, which occur on the affected side);
compensating body postures that a person takes unconsciously.

Any of the symptoms described above is worthy of attention, even in cases where it has just begun to appear. Sciatica and lumbago, which are essentially pain syndromes, in the first stages of the disease have a paroxysmal nature and low intensity, but without the necessary treatment, the pain will intensify.

How is this disease treated?

Treatment of a lumbosacral hernia is usually carried out in such a way as to avoid surgery. This is the so-called “conservative” treatment. It should be noted that it is quite effective and helps patients in more than 90% of cases.

At the first stage of treatment, the patient is prescribed bed rest for several days, which is then replaced by a regime of limited physical activity. In this case, symptomatic drug treatment is carried out. The basis of this method is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which successfully relieve inflammation and swelling, thereby reducing compression of nerve endings and reducing pain. Such drugs have only one serious drawback - they do not have the best effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, so usually the doctor tries to prescribe minimally effective doses.

For severe pain syndromes, painkillers are also used, but they, in fact, only mask the pain without eliminating its cause. This carries a certain risk, because the patient, misunderstanding the situation, begins to load the spine and further harms it.

If necessary, muscle relaxants (to relieve spasms of the back muscles) and chondroprotectors (to protect intervertebral joints damaged by osteochondrosis) can also be used.

The second stage of treatment includes physiotherapeutic procedures, massages and therapeutic exercises. Objectively speaking, this stage is much more important than the period of fighting pain, since it is during this period that the body adapts to changed conditions and develops a new motor stereotype. After all, as you know, a vertebral hernia does not disappear with the end of treatment, it remains, and a person has to learn to live with this problem.

For the lumbosacral region, this issue is most relevant, given the heavy loads that it has to withstand. In particular, it is very important that a person learns how to move correctly, lift weights, etc.