Physiotherapy is excellent for treating herniated discs and can be done with stretching and strengthening exercises, electronic equipment, and the use of a hot compress. Other techniques that may be useful are Pilates, hydrotherapy, RPG and spinal traction, for example.
Sessions can be carried out daily, with weekends off, when the person is feeling a lot of pain, but can be carried out only 1 or 2 times a week when the pain only appears in certain situations, such as when lowering or lifting a weight from the floor, for example.
Benefits of physical therapy for herniated disc
Physiotherapy treatment for herniated disc has the following benefits:
- Relief of back pain and pain radiating to arms or legs, for example;
- Increased range of movements;
- Greater physical resistance;
- Avoid spine surgery;
- Reduce pain control medications.
A herniated disc happens when the disc found between the vertebrae of the spine is damaged and can cause compression of the root of a nerve, for example. Generally before discovering the hernia, approximately 10 years before there was some pain in the spine. The most affected regions of the spine are the cervical and lumbar.
6 ways to treat a herniated disc
Within physiotherapy, different resources can be used to combat pain and bring back the balance and well-being of the person who has a herniated disc. Some treatment possibilities for people with intense pain are:
1. Use of electronic equipment
Devices such as ultrasound, galvanic current, TENS and laser can be used as anti-inflammatories that help alleviate symptoms, reducing pain and discomfort in the spine. They must be applied according to the person’s needs, and their operating time varies between 8 and 25 minutes, for each treatment area.
2. Heat
It’s another way to relieve back pain and prepare the body for a massage, because it increases blood circulation and the arrival of more nutrients to the tissues. Heat can be used with heated bags or towels or infrared light, for example, for about 20 minutes.
3. Stretches for herniated disc
Stretching exercises are recommended from the beginning of physiotherapy sessions and are important for increasing flexibility, normalizing muscle tone and reorganizing muscle fibers, and are also excellent for improving body posture in everyday life.
4. Exercises for herniated disc
They are indicated when the person does not experience acute pain and help to strengthen muscle groups that are weak or unbalanced. There are several types of exercises that can be used, such as Global Postural Reeducation, Clinical Pilates and Hydrotherapy, for example, the latter 2 of which can also be used as physical activity.
RPG exercises are monotonous, but they are of great help, being one of the best options to avoid having to have surgery for a herniated disc. Pilates exercises are particularly recommended because they strengthen small muscles, but very importantly they keep the back straight and the strength of the abdomen, which also protects the spine. Hydrotherapy is carried out in the pool, guided by a physiotherapist and consists of exercises that involve running in the water and even swimming.
In this video I recommend some exercises for sciatica pain, which are recommended in case of a herniated disc:
5. Cervical or lumbar traction
This is a type of treatment that can be performed manually, where the physiotherapist firmly holds the person’s neck, who is lying on a stretcher, keeping the entire spine aligned and pulls the head vertically, to promote a release of tension between the vertebrae, allowing greater hydration of the vertebral disc and sometimes its return to its original location. Spinal traction can also be performed using specific equipment that acts in the same way, pulling the neck in one direction and the lower back in the opposite direction, maintaining traction for 20 to 30 seconds, for around 5 to 10 repetitions, for example.
6. Manipulation techniques
Manipulation techniques can be performed on the spine and serve to reduce pressure on the spine, realign all body structures and often cause a feeling of greater lightness and ease of movement. This technique is particularly recommended when the person has difficulty performing certain movements because they feel ‘stuck’.
Each physiotherapy session must be individualized and lasts around 1 hour, but in addition certain exercises must also be performed at home, when indicated by the physiotherapist.
See other treatment options for herniated discs.
Day-to-day care
A person who has a cervical or lumbar hernia needs some care that can help relieve pain, such as:
- Avoid sitting or lying down for more than 2 hours, as long as it is not during sleep;
- Sleep in the correct spinal position;
- When bending down to pick something up from the floor, always bend your legs instead of bending your body forward;
- Preferring to keep moving to reduce spinal stiffness, this could be walking or cycling, for example;
- Choose a firm mattress that supports your spine, also avoid sitting on very soft and low sofas and chairs;
- Anti-inflammatory foods, such as ginger and salmon, are the most recommended whenever you are experiencing a back crisis.
Check out these and other tips in the following video:
Exercises such as jumping rope or jumping classes at the gym are not the most recommended because they can cause compression of the disc, starting a new pain situation. Exercises in water, such as water aerobics, are more recommended because in the water the body becomes lighter, not having as much impact on the joints and spine.
