Best Herniated Disc Treatment In Delhi NCR.

herniated disc treatment and cure
Book Appointment

What Does Herniated Disc Mean?

The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in the back are cushioned by discs. These discs are round, like small pillows, with a tough, outer layer (annulus) that surrounds the nucleus. Located between each of the vertebra in the spinal column, discs act as shock absorbers for the spinal bones.

A herniated disc (also called bulged, slipped or ruptured) is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. Discs that become herniated usually are in an early stage of degeneration. The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Due to this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, often producing pain, which may be severe.

Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine. Herniated discs are more common in the lower back (lumbar spine), but also occur in the neck (cervical spine). The area in which pain is experienced depends on what part of the spine is affected.

What Causes Herniated Disc?

Disc herniation is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disc degeneration. As people age, the discs become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.

Most people can’t pinpoint the cause of their herniated disc. Sometimes, using the back muscles instead of the leg and thigh muscles to lift heavy objects can lead to a herniated disc. Twisting and turning while lifting also can cause a herniated disc. Rarely, a traumatic event such as a fall or a blow to the back is the cause.

A single excessive strain or injury may cause a herniated disc. However, disc material degenerates naturally as one ages, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor strain or twisting movement can cause a disc to rupture.

Certain individuals may be more vulnerable to disc problems and, as a result, may suffer herniated discs in several places along the spine. Research has shown that a predisposition for herniated discs may exist in families with several members affected.

Symptoms of Herniated Disc

The lower back is most commonly affected by herniated discs. Some common symptoms of a herniated or slipped disc include:

  • Pain that occurs on one side of the body.
  • Sharp pain in one part of the leg, hip, or buttocks and numbness in other parts. You may also feel pain or numbness on the back of the calf or sole of the foot. The same leg may also feel weak. These are usually indications of a slipped disc in the lower part of the spine.
  • Pain when moving your neck or deep pain near or over the shoulder blade. You may also feel pain that moves to the upper arm, forearm, and fingers and numbness along your shoulder, elbow, forearm, and fingers. These are common symptoms when you have a slipped disc in your neck.
  • Numbness or tingling: This can happen when a herniated disc presses on the spinal cord or the nerves that exit the spinal cord. The unusual sensations may travel outwards along the nerve, into the arms or legs.
  • Muscle weakness: When a herniated disc presses on a nerve, the muscles connected to the nerve may become weaker. This can cause stumbling when walking.
  • Pain: This usually occurs in the back and may radiate out to the arms or legs. People sometimes describe the sensation as burning or sharp.
  • Myelopathy: When a herniated disc puts pressure on the spinal cord, it can affect your walking, grip strength, and other important functions. This is a very serious, although uncommon, result of a herniated disc. If you notice difficulties with balance, fine motor activities like buttoning your clothes, or even a change in your handwriting, you should seek immediate help. Myelopathy can lead to permanent paralysis and even death. In many cases, surgery from a qualified orthopedic surgeon is necessary.

  • Incontinence: Another very serious symptom of a herniated disc involves a disruption in your body’s ability to remove waste. If you stop feeling the urge to urinate or have a bowel movement or cannot control your bodily functions, get help immediately. Although this is a rare condition, it can lead to permanent damage.

Testing and Diagnosis

Testing modalities are listed below. The most common imaging for this condition is MRI. Plain x-rays of the affected region are often added to complete the evaluation of the vertebra. Please note, a disc herniation cannot be seen on plain x-rays. CT scan and myelogram were more commonly used before MRI, but now are infrequently ordered as the initial diagnostic imaging, unless special circumstances exist that warrant their use. An electromyogram is infrequently used.

  • X-ray: Application of radiation to produce a film or picture of a part of the body can show the structure of the vertebrae and the outline of the joints. X-rays of the spine are obtained to search for other potential causes of pain, i.e. tumors, infections, fractures, etc.
  • Computed tomography scan (CT scan): A diagnostic image created after a computer reads X-rays; can show the shape and size of the spinal canal, its contents and the structures around it.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A diagnostic test that produces 3D images of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology; can show the spinal cord, nerve roots and surrounding areas as well as enlargement, degeneration and tumors.
  • Myelogram: An X-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces; can show pressure on the spinal cord or nerves due to herniated discs, bone spurs or tumors.
  • Electromyogram and Nerve Conduction Studies (EMG/NCS): These tests measure the electrical impulse along nerve roots, peripheral nerves and muscle tissue. This will indicate whether there is ongoing nerve damage, if the nerves are in a state of healing from a past injury or whether there is another site of nerve compression. This test is infrequently ordered.
How to prevent Herniated Disc issue?

Herniated discs develop for reasons that include injury and disease. However, a top reasons is also aging. The spine’s supporting structures and discs weaken due to aging, leading to discs that are more prone to tearing or rupturing with even small twisting movements or when lifting items.

Most herniated discs occur in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) regions of the spine. However, they can happen anywhere along the spine. To understand how to avoid herniated disc problems, look to the primary causes of this condition as a guide. For example, lifting heavy items puts pressure on the spine, especially the lower back, so learning proper lifting posture can reduce the risk of developing a herniated disc.

Easy Tips for Avoiding a Herniated Disc

Knowing how to prevent slipped disc problems includes lifestyle changes. Since most herniated discs occur in the neck or lower back, many of the prevention tips focus on these areas.

Following are some easy or basic tips for reducing the risks.

  1. Improve posture- Maintaining an aligned spine is always important, whether sitting, standing, walking or running. A sustained poor posture puts pressure on some of the spine’s discs, especially in the neck and lower back. Keep the head up, shoulders back and spine straight.
  2. Regularly exercise- Include in a regular exercise plan the exercises that strengthen back and leg muscles, tendons and ligaments and core muscles. Also, include aerobic exercise because it improves the cardiovascular system, which then helps keep tissues healthy. Flexibility exercises help keep the back muscles and ligaments loose and stretched.
  3. Learn to lift items properly- All too often, people try to lift heavy items by bending at the waist. This means the back is being used for lifting when it should be the powerful leg muscles. Even worse, they twist at the waist while picking up a heavy load. Lift by bending the knees and stand up while keeping the back aligned. This uses the force from the legs for lifting.
  4. Maintain a healthy weight- Being overweight or obese puts excessive pressure and strain on the back and knees. It also may contribute to poor posture.
  5. Manage stress- Stress can lead to tight muscles and ligaments, which in turn increases pressure on the spine. Regularly do stress relieving activities to prevent the physical toll that ongoing stress takes on the body.
  6. Change positions frequently- Sitting or standing for hours without changing positions can put pressure on the spine in general and on certain spinal discs in particular. Medical research has found that people need to move and stretch at least every 30 minutes.
  7. Stop smoking- Smoking deprives healthy tissue of nutrients and oxygen, increasing the risk of developing spinal disc degeneration and osteoporosis. A smoker’s heavy coughing bouts can also increase pressure on the spine.
  8. Do not wear high-heeled shoes- High-heeled shoes can throw a back out of alignment, which means one or more spinal discs are improperly positioned.
Exercise to Avoid for Herniated Disc and Bulging Disc

Regular exercise can minimize the risk of developing a herniated disc, but once a herniated disc develops, there are exercises to avoid doing. The exercises to avoid are those that force the neck to bend or cause other spine misalignment and those that put excess pressure or force on the spine.

It is important to do gentle exercises that stretch and strengthen back muscle and increase flexibility. Gentle exercises include swimming, yoga, stretches that do not round the neck or back, walking and cycling.

Avoid the following exercises:

  1. Sit-Ups: Sit-ups are difficult to perform correctly and are not recommended for those with a herniated disc due to the pressure that is put on the lower back. Sit-ups are one of the most important herniated disc exercises to avoid as they can cause significant damage.
  2. Squats: Squats require a person to lean forward while lowering down until the thighs are horizontal to the ground. It causes tremendous pressure along the spine and can lead to intense pain in the lumbar region and hyperextend the spine. For people with a herniated disc, squats can be particularly painful and are not recommended.
  3. Cycling: Avoid any workout that involves a forward-leaning motion. Poor posture coupled with long rides can exacerbate a herniated disc, leading to further injury. A better and safer way for physical activity with a herniated disc is walking or even hiking. Hiking is a safer lower body workout that doesn’t put undue pressure on the spine.
  4. Standing Hamstring Stretch: During a standing hamstring stretch, a person must raise their leg on an elevated surface and lean forward. Leaning forward causes curvature of the spine, increasing the pressure on herniated discs.
  5. Deadlifts: Deadlifts are one of the most strenuous bulging disc exercises to avoid. Deadlifts can put an intense amount of stress on the spine and cause muscle and ligament tears if they are done incorrectly. Avoid performing deadlifts to keep from aggravating your disc injury.
  6. High Impact Aerobic Activity: High impact aerobic activity requires quick transitions between moves. These transitions, coupled with jumping and other plyometric workouts, can cause further injury and back strain. Look for alternative exercises to plyometric and high-impact aerobic activity instead.
  7. Leg Press: When performing a leg press, a person lies down with knees close to the chest and pushes up against the weights while rounding out their spine. This workout move is highly effective; however, it isn’t safe for those with herniated disc issues.
Treatment

Patients who are diagnosed with herniated disc often think that surgical treatment is the only option when consulting a specialist. In reality however, herniated disc has various choices of treatment, depending on the condition and the level of severity. 

  • Medication: includes both oral and injection, for pain killer, muscle relaxant along with steroid injection to reduce pain and inflammation.
  • Physiotherapy: helps muscle relaxations and reduces pain. It also facilitates in strengthening muscles. However, patient must be under doctor’s and physiotherapist’s supervision and be consistent with the program to achieve the highest effects of the treatment.
  • Advanced Physiotherapy- Manual therapy, Myofascial Release, Dry Needling, IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization),Strengthening exercises etc.
  • Surgery: If the above mentioned (Medication and/or Physiotherapy) treatment options did not improve the symptoms, doctor may advise surgical treatment. Currently, with the help of cutting-edge technology that results in highest level of accuracy, surgery becomes less alarming than many would think.
  • Endoscopic surgery: a minimally invasive surgery using a microscope which results in a small wound and causes less damage to surrounding muscles. It also causes less blood loss, fewer complications and shorter recovery period.
  • Intraoperative Neuromonitoring: a technology that helps enhancing the safety of the patient during operation by continuously monitoring the central nervous system with Real Time program. Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, therefore decreases the risk of nerve injury during a critical surgical procedure.    
Herniated Disc treatment in Delhi | Best treatment and cure for Herniated Disc relief | Herniated Disc solutions Delhi NCR | Herniated Disc relief in New Delhi | Herniated Disc clinic Delhi | Herniated Disc exercise and physiotherapy | Herniated Disc specialist Delhi