Slipped intervertebral discs are a common cause of back pain and limb pain. Herniation is often a result of trauma sustained during a heavy lifting event, a road traffic accident or sporting injury. Symptoms are due to the impingement of nerves in the vicinity of the disc. There are a number of ways through which this can be dealt with. In this article, we will look at some of the modes of managing herniated disc pain relief Conroe patients will find beneficial.
Generally, the options are divided into two broad categories: conservative and surgical. Factors that will influence the choice of method to be used in each case include severity of the condition, risks involved and the response to initial interventions. Analgesic medications are usually the starting point for most people. NSAIDS such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen will help buy time as the condition is given time to resolve by itself.
Pain that does not abate after two weeks of bed rest and analgesic agents warrants evaluation by your doctor. Traction is the next consideration at this point. In this technique length and angulation defects that were caused by the trauma or strain are corrected. This is done by subjecting the spine to a gentle pull by use of computerized equipment. When the disc slips back into position, the pressure on the nerves is relived and the pain resolves.
There are a number of other physical therapies that work in more or less the same way as traction. They include hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, deep tissue massage and hot and cold therapies. Apart from restoring the anatomical structure, these techniques also minimize the chances of progression of the condition. Each of these treatments may be used in isolation or may be offered alongside any of the others to optimize the response.
Active treatments are mainly focused on the restoration and maintenance of joint movement, core stability, flexibility, strength and posture. To achieve this, your physiotherapist prepares an exercise program to be followed for a couple of months. The exercises help in strengthening abdominal muscles so as to relieve pressure on the back muscles. In many settings, both the passive and the active techniques are used alongside each other.
Traction is said to have very high success rates. There are only a few cases in which it is deemed unsuitable. For instance, when offered to persons with pelvic fractures, it has the potential to aggravate the injuries and should therefore be avoided. It should also not be attempted in persons with large abdominal tumors or aneurysm affecting major arteries (such as the aorta), those with metallic implants and those with severe osteoporosis. In all these cases, there is a high risk of worsening the pathologies.
Surgery is a last resort. Different types of operations can be performed depending on the extent of the problem. Each is named depending on the skeletal element that is removed. In discectomy, only the intervertebral disc is removed. In corpectomy, on the other hand, the vertebral body and the disc are removed at the same time. Other surgeries include laminectomy, osteophyte removal and foraminectomy.
Surgery has a number of risks and possible complications that one should be aware of. Bleeding and infections are the commonest just as applies to any other form of surgery. Nerve injuries of varying degrees have been reported and these tend to even worsen the symptoms at times. In the remote postoperative period, the most feared complication is spine instability that is caused by removal of some skeletal elements. Corrective surgery is often required in this case.
Generally, the options are divided into two broad categories: conservative and surgical. Factors that will influence the choice of method to be used in each case include severity of the condition, risks involved and the response to initial interventions. Analgesic medications are usually the starting point for most people. NSAIDS such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and naproxen will help buy time as the condition is given time to resolve by itself.
Pain that does not abate after two weeks of bed rest and analgesic agents warrants evaluation by your doctor. Traction is the next consideration at this point. In this technique length and angulation defects that were caused by the trauma or strain are corrected. This is done by subjecting the spine to a gentle pull by use of computerized equipment. When the disc slips back into position, the pressure on the nerves is relived and the pain resolves.
There are a number of other physical therapies that work in more or less the same way as traction. They include hydrotherapy, electrical stimulation, deep tissue massage and hot and cold therapies. Apart from restoring the anatomical structure, these techniques also minimize the chances of progression of the condition. Each of these treatments may be used in isolation or may be offered alongside any of the others to optimize the response.
Active treatments are mainly focused on the restoration and maintenance of joint movement, core stability, flexibility, strength and posture. To achieve this, your physiotherapist prepares an exercise program to be followed for a couple of months. The exercises help in strengthening abdominal muscles so as to relieve pressure on the back muscles. In many settings, both the passive and the active techniques are used alongside each other.
Traction is said to have very high success rates. There are only a few cases in which it is deemed unsuitable. For instance, when offered to persons with pelvic fractures, it has the potential to aggravate the injuries and should therefore be avoided. It should also not be attempted in persons with large abdominal tumors or aneurysm affecting major arteries (such as the aorta), those with metallic implants and those with severe osteoporosis. In all these cases, there is a high risk of worsening the pathologies.
Surgery is a last resort. Different types of operations can be performed depending on the extent of the problem. Each is named depending on the skeletal element that is removed. In discectomy, only the intervertebral disc is removed. In corpectomy, on the other hand, the vertebral body and the disc are removed at the same time. Other surgeries include laminectomy, osteophyte removal and foraminectomy.
Surgery has a number of risks and possible complications that one should be aware of. Bleeding and infections are the commonest just as applies to any other form of surgery. Nerve injuries of varying degrees have been reported and these tend to even worsen the symptoms at times. In the remote postoperative period, the most feared complication is spine instability that is caused by removal of some skeletal elements. Corrective surgery is often required in this case.
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If you're seeking herniated disc pain relief Conroe chiropractor is the right person to turn to. Make an appointment for a therapy session today through http://www.lordexspineinstituteofconroe.com.
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