There are five vertebrae that make up the lumbar spine. The outer part of the five vertebrae is hard and the inner part has a softer structure. In these vertebrae, which have discs in between, the pain that occurs when the discs tear, rupture, wear out, slip out of place and compress the nerves by compressing them is called herniated disc.
Lumbar herniated discs usually occur as a result of sudden movements, carrying a heavier load than possible, and overstraining the body.
As a result of these movements, this herniated disc causes pain in the lower back, pain in the buttocks, pain in the legs, numbness, tingling and weakness in the back, buttocks and legs. Increased pain will also be observed in cases of coughing and sneezing.
Table of Contents
- What are the Causes of Lumbar Hernia?
- What are the Symptoms of Lumbar Hernia?
- How is Lumbar Hernia Diagnosed?
- What are the Treatment Methods for Lumbar Hernia?
What are the Causes of Lumbar Hernia?
It is the pain that occurs when the soft, rubber-like tissue on the inside of the discs in the vertebrae wears out over time, overflows from the area where it is located, wears and tears due to age, and the discs slip and press on the nerves in the vertebrae.
Sudden movements of the person, staying in the same position for a long time, standing for a long time, sitting for a long time in the same way, smoking, falls, bumps, traumas, and movements that force the body are the conditions that cause hernia.
There is no specific age group for hernia. It is very likely to occur in children, young people, the elderly, women and men. However, this rate increases with age. With the aging of the body, wear and tear in the discs may occur and herniated discs may occur.
It is also possible to encounter herniated discs in cases of sudden and rapid weight gain. This rapid and excessive weight gain of women during pregnancy triggers herniated discs.
It is also possible to encounter herniated discs in cases of sudden and rapid weight gain. This rapid and excessive weight gain of women during pregnancy triggers herniated discs.
As with all diseases and disorders, smoking also causes hernias. Smoking also prolongs the healing time of the hernia. Harmful substances in cigarettes disrupt the nutrition of the body and discs. As a result of this disruption, it causes fluid loss in the discs, and as a result, hernia is inevitable.
Another risk factor for hernia is a sedentary lifestyle, as well as incorrect sports activities. Weakness of the abdominal and abdominal muscles can also cause hernias by increasing the load on the spine in carrying the load on the body.
What are the Symptoms of Lumbar Hernia?
In lumbar herniated discs, the pain may start with pain radiating from the waist to the buttocks and legs, or there may be lumbar herniated discs without any pain at all.
As the pain spreads over time, numbness, tingling, tingling sensation and weakness in the areas also begin. The pain that occurs in the discs with herniated discs increases in intensity when the person increases his/her activity. However, when he/she switches to resting positions, he/she sees that the pain is alleviated. In moments of coughing and sneezing, the pressure of the nerves on these discs increases, increasing the intensity of the pain. The feeling of weakness, tingling and numbness felt in the remaining parts of the discs after increased pain during this movement, sneezing and coughing is also a sign of a hernia.
In addition to all of these, some of the main symptoms can be listed as follows;
- Problems with sitting and standing up
- Difficulties in daily life functions
- Difficulty walking
- Feeling a functional impairment in the use of one’s body
- Leg pain
- Difficulty holding urine
- Pain in the feet and ankles
- More severe pain after coughing
- Pain in the sole of the foot
- Pain felt in the shoulder blade
- Pain that occurs when walking and causes difficulty for the person
- Problems with back movements
The person may not feel all of the above-mentioned types of pain at the same time. The most important of these symptoms, which vary from person to person, is pain radiating to the leg. In case the person cannot perform his/her daily vital activities with full performance, when he/she is faced with urinary incontinence, when tingling and numbness sensations begin, he/she should consult a specialist physician without wasting any time and should receive medical support by continuing the treatment process for the diagnosis made after the examination by the doctor.
How is Lumbar Hernia Diagnosed?
According to the results obtained as a result of the reflexes and power assessment made during the general examination of the specialist physician to whom the person applies as a result of the disorders affecting the vital functions of the person, the diagnosis and the degree of the disorder are diagnosed and the treatment process is started by supporting the necessary ones from the MRI, X-ray, tomography, myelogram, EMG methods.
What are the Treatment Methods for Lumbar Hernia?
Treatment methods for lumbar herniated disc differ from person to person, just like any other treatment method. These methods, which vary according to the degree of discomfort of the patient, do not require medical intervention except for urinary incontinence and severe pain that seriously interferes with vital functions.
The most commonly used treatment methods are:
- Rest treatment by determining whether or not he/she can go to work with the approval of his/her doctor
- Short-term corset use in the painful area
- Painkillers given with doctor’s approval
- Avoiding movements and positions that burden the spine
- Use of muscle relaxants under the supervision of a doctor
- Exercise applications
- Physical therapy methods
- Hot applications
- Sometimes controlled steroid therapy
- Taping
- Massage methods
In case all of the above methods are performed and the desired result is not obtained, medical and surgical interventions are used as the last option. As a result of the medical and surgical intervention to be applied by the specialist physician, physical therapy can be applied to the last stage of treatment within the guidance of your doctor as deemed necessary.
What are the Movements Good for Lumbar Hernia?
People who experience pain due to a herniated disc should first consult a specialist doctor. By doing simple exercises that can be done in daily life with the approval of the doctor, it will help relieve the painful area.
There should be movements that increase flexibility in areas with herniated disc pain. Again, movements should be done to strengthen the muscles in these painful areas.
With the approval of your doctor, the following movements are recommended.
- Without straining the body
- Without making movements that strain the painful area
- In general, it can be done at rest
- Supporting the waist
- Movements that protect the waist
Without overdoing it, the person should not neglect to walk and move regularly in his/her daily life.
We wish you a healthy day.
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