Can physical therapy help heal an L3-L4 herniated disc?Though physical therapy does not directly treat the disc, it helps to stabilize the lumbar spine muscles, keeping the disc protected. How are disc bulges at L4 or L5 with a small annular tear treated? What is the treatment for a disc bulge in L4 L5? What are some causes of protruding L4 and L5 discs?Rest and modifying activities are usually the first steps in healing a herniated disc. Many injured discs heal on their own in time. Individuals may speed up the healing process by applying ice and heat to the injured back. This helps to alleviate pain and relax the muscles.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are often given to patients in order to help with pain and inflammation. Some doctors also prescribe oral steroids such as Prednisone. Narcotics and muscle relaxers may also be given for the short-term, especially if the pain is severe and not eliminated by other types of medication. Epidural steroid injections are also available as a treatment in the form of cortisone.

This helps to relieve the pressure on the nerve. Surgery is usually the final step of treatment, but it is only done if there is no improvement from other treatments. Learn more about Conditions & Diseases What is the treatment for a protruding disc? Common treatment options for bulging discs include avoiding activities that increase symptoms, weight loss and lifestyle changes, and ice pack or heat ther...Hepa Air Cleaner For Central Air How do you treat a herniated disc?Dr Schulze Weight Loss Reviews The treatment of a herniated disc can entail both conservative and surgical methods, such as pain relievers, physical therapy and possible surgery. Tub To Shower Conversion Portland Or What are some treatments for night terror sleep disorders in adults?

There are several different methods suggested by doctors for the treatment of night terrors including changing medications, treating underlying causes, ima... What is a herniated disk in the neck? A herniated disc in the neck occurs when one of the discs that cushions the vertebrae in the neck becomes damaged and bulges or ruptures, according to WebM... What are the symptoms of celiac disease in children? How can hospitals use patient feedback to improve overall performance? When is invasive treatment used for peripheral artery disease? What is the correlation between fibromyalgia and hand tremors? How are bone spurs on the feet surgically removed? Is it possible to replace a front bumper without professional help?In a recently published article in the American Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, researchers examined the effect that obesity has on patients managed for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. They studied a group of patients who underwent back surgery and a group of patients who had more conservative non-surgical treatments.

Both groups showed significantly less improvement as it related to problems of obesity.1 The same was found in newer research for patients having surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. The researchers noted: “Obese patients were less likely to achieve a minimal clinically important difference.” Please see my article on obesity and healing for the detrimental effects of obesity on healing In more research, doctors suggest that even if you do not lose weight, even moderate physical activity will help low back pain. Here are the highlights of their research:3 Prolotherapists routinely see patients who try to relieve their low back pain with high intensity workouts. Often the patients are doing more harm than good. Low back pain patients must remember that they need exercise that brings circulation and muscle building to the low back area, but they should be cautious to engage in accelerated or extreme activities. “Compared to general exercise, core stability exercise is more effective in decreasing pain and may improve physical function in patients with chronic low back pain in the short term.

However, no significant long-term differences in pain severity were observed between patients who engaged in core stability exercise versus those who engaged in general exercise.” This should not surprise anyone. Patients with low back pain have weakened and stressed ligaments. This causes instability and low back pain. What is not mentioned in the above research is the likely cause for the core exercises not showing a very clear advantage: overuse. On occasion a Prolotherapist will see a patient return two months after completing a successful Prolotherapy treatment, complaining of worsening low back pain. Typically the patient will reveal that they felt so good that they begin to engage in extreme activity without a slow, gradual buildup. The main movements that injure newly healed lumbar ligaments are ones that involve flexing at the waist and twisting to the side. The lower back, for most people, does not have enough flexibility and strength to perform motions, especially fast ones that involve both flexing and twisting.

The sacroiliac ligaments, in particular, are fine if you twist with a straight back or flex forward without twisting. Once you flex and twist, it puts such a great torque on the lower back. Activity following Prolotherapy must use proper back mechanics. The lower back was not meant to sustain a twisting motion while it is in the flexed position. Core exercises that involve flexing at the waist and twisting, will in all likelihood, lead to low back pain. Always consult your Prolotherapy doctor for an exercise plan to strengthen your lower back and core based on your individual case and ask for general exercise recommendations. In another article, spinal surgeons said that a component of failed spinal surgery was obesity. Amazingly enough this recent research was the first to examine obesity’s role in recurrent disc herniation. A study should have been performed to see what took so long to make an obvious connection: “Obesity was a strong and independent predictor of recurrent (disc herniation) after lumbar microdiscectomy.

Surgeons should incorporate weight loss counseling into their preoperative discussions with patients.” There is even suggestion that elevated cholesterol levels and triglycerides have a role: “patients with symptomatic herniated lumbar disc showed statistically significant higher triglyceride concentration  and total cholesterol concentration. Serum lipid levels may be a risk factor for [symptomatic disc herniation]. An enhanced understanding of these factors holds the promise of new approaches to the prevention and management.” Further, new research says in spinal fusion obese patients have greater intra-operative blood loss, more complications and longer duration of surgery .7 Again, this all comes down to lifestyle choices to accelerate healing or make healing more difficult. We discuss the lifestyle choices in regards to healing at length in our article on the relationship between obesity and healing. It should be obvious that if you have joint deterioration, a change in lifestyle in addition to any treatment will be beneficial.

Recent research stated : There is a need for prevention strategies with lifestyle interventions such as maintaining an ideal body weight to prevent obesity, regular exercises, avoidance of smoking and alcohol abuse, intake of a balanced diet and nutrients to include adequate calcium and vitamin D, modification of the work environment and avoidance of certain repetitive activities will prevent or ameliorate disorders such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and musculoskeletal pain syndromes including low back pain and work-related pain syndromes. These prevention strategies also contribute to reducing the prevalence and outcome of diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and respiratory diseases.8 The most successful Prolotherapy offices are those that promote healthy lifestyles along with Prolotherapy to achieve the most efficient healing. Use the form below to contact us. 1. Rihn JA, Kurd M, Hilibrand AS, Lurie J, Zhao W, Albert T, Weinstein J.

The Influence of Obesity on the Outcome of Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation:  Analysis of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012 Nov 28. K.01558. [Epub ahead of print] 2. Giannadakis C, Nerland US, Solheim O, Jakola AS, Gulati M5, Weber C6, Nygaard ØP, Solberg TK, Gulati S. Does obesity affect outcomes after decompressive surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis? – A multicenter observational registry-based study. [Epub ahead of print] 3. Shiri R, Solovieva S, Husgafvel-Pursiainen K, Telama R, Yang X, Viikari J, Raitakari OT, Viikari-Juntura E. The role of obesity and physical activity in non-specific and radiating low back pain: The Young Finns study. 4. Wang XQ, Zheng JJ, Yu ZW, et al. A Meta-Analysis of Core Stability Exercise versus General Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain. Epub 2012 Dec 17. 5. Meredith DS, Huang RC, Nguyen J, Lyman S. Obesity increases the risk of recurrent herniated nucleus pulposus after lumbar microdiscectomy.