Physiotherapy for herniated discs or lumbar disc bulge

Lumbar Disc Bulge or Herniated discs

What is a Herniated Disc?

The spine is made up of vertebrae, which are held next to each other by the disc. The disc is a combination of strong connective tissues, made of a strong outer layer, annulus fibrosus, and a gel-like centre called nucleus pulposus. The disc may start to lose water content, which makes the disc less effective as a cushion. This may cause herniation through a crack in the outer layer.

Disc herniation commonly occurs in the bottom two discs of the lumbar spine. A herniated disc, also known as a lumbar disc bulge, can press on the nerves in the spine and might cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness of the leg.

A person can sometimes have no symptoms, but some may experience:

• Pain in the arm, back, foot, or leg
• Muscular muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or overactive reflexes
• Sensory in leg numbness, pins and needles, or uncomfortable tingling and burning
• Also common on foot numbness, hand numbness, or stiff neck

Types of Physiotherapy Management

Physiotherapy management comprises of a number of therapies and techniques which can help with rehabilitation from herniated discs, some of which could include:

Cold therapy solutions:

Herniated disc presses on the nerve in the spinal canal, which causes pain and inflammation along the spinal walls. Cold therapy is found to be effective for pain relief because it constricts the veins along the spine, slowing the circulation and reducing inflammation.

Heat therapy solutions:

Heat therapy is a non-invasive pain relief therapy for muscle and joint pain. This therapy is used to promote blood flow, blood helps to heal the area by delivering extra oxygen and nutrients, it removes waste by-products from muscle spasms reduces pain in the joints, relaxes tight muscles, tendons and ligaments.

Kinesio Tape:

Kinesio-tape or K-Tape is a latex-free tape that can be worn for days. Kinesio Tape is applied to the spinal area to facilitate the body’s natural healing process while providing support and stability to muscles and joints without restricting the range of motion. It also helps to increase blood flow and reduce pressure on the nerves which helps to decrease pain (localized as well as radiating) and inflammation.

Ultrasonic Therapy:

Therapeutic Ultrasound helps to increase blood flow and reduce pain. It uses ultrasonic waves that pass into the skin causing a vibration of local tissues. This vibration causes deep heating in the area without any sensation of heat. As the vibrations created by the ultrasound pass through the soft tissue, this increases heat within the tissue, which in turn increases blood flow, reduces pain, relaxes muscles, increases the extensibility of connective tissues, promotes scar tissue breakdown, and improves flexibility.

Vaso-pneumatic Compression:

Vaso-pneumatic compression helps to accelerate recovery. It cycles ice-cold water and air through a sleeve which is placed around the affected part of the body. This integrated cold and compression therapy helps to reduce pain, swelling, muscle spasms and enhances lymphatic function and oxygenated blood flow.

Transcutaneous Electrical stimulation:

Transcutaneous electrical stimulation uses electrical currents that pass through the electrodes placed directly on the patient’s skin. Transcutaneous electrical stimulations cause an increase in the blood flow to promote healing and reduce inflammation. Stimulation act on the pain gate to block the transmission of pain signals, it also causes muscle stimulation for neuromuscular re-education and strengthening.

Low-Level Laser Therapy:

Low power laser therapy is effective in the treatment of patients with acute cases of disc herniations. It speeds up the recovery process, decreases inflammation, and pain.

Spinal Traction:

Spinal traction is a form of decompression therapy, it helps to relieve pressure from the spine. This type of distraction can be performed with manual techniques as well as machines. Spinal traction is indicated for the treatment of herniated discs, it decompresses spinal discs and facet joints by utilizing traction, distraction, and body positioning.

Manual Therapy:

Manipulative treatment for disc herniation is found to be safe, effective, and seems to be as effective as other therapies. It leads to short-term pain relief when suffering from acute low back pain and has an effect similar to non-steroidal anti-Inflammatory medication. It includes techniques like spinal mobilisation, spinal manipulation, massage, myofascial release, etc.

Stretching Exercises:

Stretching exercises are included in the treatment plan to decrease soft tissue tightness and improve posture to balance the forces placed on the spine.

Strengthening Exercises:

The spine is supported by strong muscles and thus can better handle pain. Core muscle stability is important to regain strength and power. Strengthening exercises help the patient to regain functionality.

Treatment of disc herniation is important to control pain, development of disability, prevent a recurrence, and accelerate the return to work. Therefore, immediate treatment should be taken before the condition progresses further.

Not every disc needs intervention. When required treatment can include medication as diagnosed by your GP or physician, and physiotherapy can then be provided to begin the rehabilitation process. Physiotherapy can be very effective in relieving the pain and other symptoms associated with herniated discs.