Hernial processes in the spine develop mainly due to progressive osteochondrosis lesions, accompanied by disc protrusion and fibrotic destruction.
As a result, the core is displaced. This problem can be solved not only by surgical methods, since a spinal hernia is often amenable to conservative therapy .
Spinal hernia treatment without surgery at home
Only a doctor will be able to determine the possibility of home treatment after examination and determination of the characteristics of the disease. Non-surgical treatment is based on the use of medications, physiotherapy procedures, massage and exercise therapy for hernia.
Basic methods
So, the anti-hernia therapeutic complex consists of several methods:
- Taking medications;
- Physiotherapy massage;
- Diet therapy;
- Physiotherapy (more about it here);
- Laser therapy
- Alternative treatment.
Folk remedies
They significantly alleviate the condition, relieve inflammatory and painful manifestations of cervical, thoracic and lumbar hernia of the spine – unconventional and traditional methods of therapy.
- Hirudotherapy
A fairly effective direction in the treatment of hernial processes is treatment with leeches. In the process of treatment, specially grown medicinal leeches are used. The undoubted advantage of hirudotherapy is the absence of contraindications and adverse reactions, therefore leeches are used even in pediatrics. The effectiveness of hirudotherapy for hernia is invaluable.
During the procedure, the leech injects bioactive enzymes into the area of hernia localization, which have a dissolving effect on the disc elements that have fallen out.
In addition, leech enzymes help to improve metabolic processes and blood circulation, accelerating the repair of damaged tissues. Also, the result of the procedure is the removal of the inflammatory process, reduction of puffiness and pain symptoms.
- Diet therapy
In order for the main treatment of hernial processes to be as effective and successful as possible, a competent adjustment of the diet is necessary. It involves the regulation of the drinking regime, since the articular, cartilaginous and disc tissues are 90% water.
You must drink at least 2 liters. drinking water. This does not include various drinks like tea, juice, etc. It is necessary to use water between meals, then it will maintain the body’s water balance.
It is important to monitor the balance of the consumed foods so that the diet contains a sufficient amount of trace elements and vitamins. Proper nutrition can significantly improve the condition of the spine.
- Water procedures
Such treatment involves baths, compresses and wraps. For example, compresses help nourish muscle tissue and improve blood circulation.
For a compress, you need to spread an oilcloth on the bed, and then spread a blanket well-soaked with a medicinal decoction on it, on which the patient lies with his spine. From above it is wrapped in a warm blanket, preferably made of wool. You need to lie like this for at least 45 minutes.
By analogy with compresses, wraps work. To do this , a shirt soaked with a solution is put on a naked body , the patient goes to bed and wraps himself in a warm blanket.
Warm baths (≈38 ° C) with infusions of pine needles, birch leaves, St. John’s wort, sage, chamomile and other medicinal extracts also have a beneficial effect.
- Traditional methods of treatment
To get rid of prolonged pain symptoms, it is recommended to lubricate the paravertebral zone with camphor oil and cover with a towel soaked in warm milk. On top you need to wrap a shawl or woolen scarf and lie there for about 2-3 hours.
No less useful against hernial processes is the complex effect of fir oil with mummy.
First, rub the back with fir oil and wait until it is completely absorbed. Then such a mixture is prepared: 5 tablets of mummy are soaked in st. l. water and add ≈110-120 g of honey. Apply the resulting mass on the back and massage the area with a hernial lesion thoroughly.
Such procedures help to reduce hernial protrusion and relieve inflammatory pain symptoms.
Is it possible to cure an intervertebral hernia with traditional medicine?
With the help of traditional medicine, it is quite possible to cure only the initial stages of hernial processes. In other cases, therapy with folk remedies is an addition to the main treatment process, it helps to relieve pain and inflammation, especially during hernial exacerbations.
Physiotherapy
The spine is in dire need of movement, since the fluid necessary for the discs enters them only when moving.
It is necessary to start physical therapy classes under the experienced guidance of specialists and with the appointment of a doctor.
Such training will help to strengthen the spinal tissue and relieve spasms .
Prohibited sports for pathology
In case of hernial processes, it is forbidden to perform asymmetric or abrupt movements of the trunk. In addition, experts categorically prohibit patients from jogging and aerobics, all kinds of jumps and other impact loads on the vertebrae.
Allowed
It is allowed to perform smooth movements without jerks and sharp passes.
Scandinavian walking or just walking at a moderate pace is considered quite effective for hernial protrusion.
The pulling effect is provided by hanging on a crossbar or horizontal bar, but such exercises are performed strictly dosed, hanging for no more than a minute.
Drugs
Most often, the following non-steroidal drugs are used in the treatment of hernial processes:
- NSAIDs and pain relievers – they are used for moderate pain syndrome, with discomfort and inflammatory processes, they inhibit the causes of inflammation, eliminate pain symptoms (Diclofenac , etc.);
- Analgesics of the opioid group – indicated for severe pain syndromes, but they should be taken with extreme caution, since they can cause a lot of adverse reactions;
- Muscle relaxants – are prescribed to eliminate muscle spasm ( Mydocalm );
- Neuralgic drugs – often prescribed instead of opioid analgesics, which reduces the likelihood of adverse reactions;
- Cortisone injections suppress inflammatory processes, produce an analgesic effect;
- Chondroprotective drugs and hyaluronic acid products – strengthen and nourish the intervertebral cartilage tissue ( Teraflex , Structum , Alflutol , etc.);
- Glucocorticoids – are prescribed once for severe inflammatory processes and intense pain (Dexamethasone or Diprospan ).
Laser treatment
When conservative therapy turns out to be useless, or its effectiveness is not high enough, they often resort to laser treatment. This technique involves the evaporation of the disk core using a laser beam in order to reduce the parameters of the disk. As a result of such manipulations, the hernial protrusion is automatically drawn into the vacated area.
This method is considered less traumatic, since there are practically no surgical injuries.
A needle is inserted into the nucleus, through which a laser beam is fed. All manipulations are controlled by an X-ray machine. As a result, the size of the hernia decreases, as does the pressure of the hernia on the nerve roots.
The cost of laser treatment depends on the specific type of surgical intervention and the degree of its complexity:
- The price of a simple operation is ≈ 15,000-20,000 rubles;
- Interventions of more complex categories will cost 50,000-80,000 rubles.
Reviews about laser therapy
Elena:
In 2009, in the winter, my neck began to hurt, I thought that I had blown, did some compresses and lotions. But nothing helped. Until I got to the doctor’s appointment. They sent me for an MRI and found a hernia of the cervical spine, there were a lot of treatment options, but I stopped at laser vaporization. I do not regret that I did not listen to my acquaintances, who persuaded me and advised me to abandon laser surgery. Already on the day of the procedure, the unbearable pain that tormented me for months was relieved. I remembered that the neck can be turned to the sides. For the sixth year now, there are no reminders about the hernia, which I am very happy about.
Anna:
And I was also advised to do vaporization with a laser, but I was somehow afraid. I staked on exercise therapy and have no regrets. The hernia is so much smaller that it is not a problem at all. But my pathology was still at the initial stages. Therefore, we managed to cope with it with physical education.
Do you give disability?
After the operation, the patient must undergo the MSE procedure (medical and social examination), in the process of which disability is determined. They practically do not give disability in case of hernial processes to people with a high passive income, since such patients are able to pay for treatment and rehabilitation in paid clinics.
Disability (group 1) with a spinal hernia can be obtained in the case of a severe picture of the disease, when it is difficult for the patient to serve himself, there are functional disorders, he is not able to engage in any work or professional activity.
The lightest disability (group 3) is given when the hernial lesions worsen monthly, there are muscle disorders and persistent pain syndrome of constant intensity.
In general, disability can be obtained already in the presence of pathological functional disorders that are incompatible with the patient’s profession.