Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What Is Herniated Disc?[1], [2]
"A spinal disc herniation is a medical condition in which a tear in the outer, fibrous
ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out. Tears
are almost always posterior-ipsilateral in nature due to the presence of the
posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may
result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators which may directly cause
severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression. This is the rationale
for the use of anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc
herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear."[1]
You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs
affect the lower back (lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine)
and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine). This topic focuses mainly on
the lower back.[2]
A herniated disc may be caused by:
When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness,
and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels. A herniated disc in
the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg.
This is called sciatica. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc in
the low back.
If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no
pain at all.
Typically, symptoms are experienced only on one side of the body. If the prolapse
is very large and presses on the spinal cord or the cauda equina in the lumbar
region, affection of both sides of the body may occur, often with serious
consequences.[1]
Treatment Options[1]
Pain medications are often prescribed to alleviate the acute pain and allow the
patient to begin exercising and stretching.
There are a variety of non-surgical alternatives to treat the condition, including:
Surgery should only be considered as a last resort after all conservative
treatments (non-surgical therapy) have been tried, that did not alleviate the pain
and heal the disc herniation.
Alternative Medicine[3]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice
"that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[4]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you,
please contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at
wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] Wikipedia
[2] WebMD
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell
House. pp. 7. ISBN 1565656261.
"A spinal disc herniation is a medical condition in which a tear in the outer, fibrous
ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out. Tears
are almost always posterior-ipsilateral in nature due to the presence of the
posterior longitudinal ligament in the spinal canal. This tear in the disc ring may
result in the release of inflammatory chemical mediators which may directly cause
severe pain, even in the absence of nerve root compression. This is the rationale
for the use of anti-inflammatory treatments for pain associated with disc
herniation, protrusion, bulge, or disc tear."[1]
You can have a herniated disc in any part of your spine. But most herniated discs
affect the lower back (lumbar spine). Some happen in the neck (cervical spine)
and, more rarely, in the upper back (thoracic spine). This topic focuses mainly on
the lower back.[2]
A herniated disc may be caused by:
- Wear and tear of the disc. As you age, your discs dry out and aren't as
flexible. - Injury to the spine. This may cause tiny tears or cracks in the hard outer
layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced
out through the tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. This causes
the disc to bulge, break open, or break into pieces.
When a herniated disc presses on nerve roots, it can cause pain, numbness,
and weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels. A herniated disc in
the lower back can cause pain and numbness in the buttock and down the leg.
This is called sciatica. Sciatica is the most common symptom of a herniated disc in
the low back.
If a herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, you may have a backache or no
pain at all.
Typically, symptoms are experienced only on one side of the body. If the prolapse
is very large and presses on the spinal cord or the cauda equina in the lumbar
region, affection of both sides of the body may occur, often with serious
consequences.[1]
Treatment Options[1]
Pain medications are often prescribed to alleviate the acute pain and allow the
patient to begin exercising and stretching.
There are a variety of non-surgical alternatives to treat the condition, including:
- Bed rest and lumbo-sacral support belt.
- Physical therapy
- Massage therapy
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Oral steroids (e.g. prednisone or methylprednisolone)
- Epidural (cortisone) injection
- Intravenous sedation, analgesia-assisted traction therapy (IVSAAT)
- Weight control
- Chiropractic
Surgery should only be considered as a last resort after all conservative
treatments (non-surgical therapy) have been tried, that did not alleviate the pain
and heal the disc herniation.
Alternative Medicine[3]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice
"that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[4]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you,
please contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at
wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] Wikipedia
[2] WebMD
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell
House. pp. 7. ISBN 1565656261.
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