Lumbar hernia pain, also known as lumbar herniated disc pain, can be an uncomfortable and debilitating experience. Fortunately, there are several approaches to relieve pain and improve your quality of life. Initial treatment focuses on conservative measures, and only in specific cases is surgery considered.
Relative rest: A short period of rest (1-2 days) is recommended to reduce inflammation and acute pain. Avoid strenuous physical exertion and sudden movements that may worsen the discomfort.
2. Medications:
Analgesics: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen may help control mild to moderate pain.
Myorelaxants: If the pain is accompanied by muscle spasms, your doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to relieve tension.
Anti-inflammatory drugs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen can reduce inflammation and pain.
3. Physical therapy: A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises to strengthen back muscles and improve flexibility, which can help reduce pain and prevent future herniated discs.
4. Injections:
Epidural steroid injections: corticosteroids are injected into the space around the spinal cord to reduce inflammation and pain in the nerve roots.
Rhizotomy: If pain is persistent and does not respond to other treatments, rhizotomy, a procedure that destroys the small nerve branches that transmit pain from the affected area, may be considered.
5. Surgery:
Surgery for a lumbar herniation, called discectomy, is usually considered as a last resort when conservative treatments have not been effective in controlling pain and significant or progressive leg weakness. In discectomy, the part of the herniated disc pressing on the nerve root is removed.
General recommendations:
Maintain good posture: Avoid slouching or lifting heavy objects incorrectly.
Lose weight if you are overweight: Excess weight puts additional pressure on the spine.
Stop smoking: Smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
Apply heat or ice: Applying heat to the affected area can help relax the muscles and relieve pain. Ice can also be useful to reduce inflammation.
It is essential to remember that each case is individual and treatment should be personalized by a medical specialist. The professional will evaluate the severity of the lumbar hernia, your medical history and your general condition to determine the most appropriate therapeutic approach.
Here are some additional resources that may be useful:
Mayo Clinic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwp_xW7dMxg
Clínica Universidad de Navarra: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354101
Spine Health: https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/sites/ca1/files/citations/Myelopathy%20_%20Johns%20Hopkins%20Medicine.pdf
I hope you find this information helpful. Remember that you are not alone and there are many options available to relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.
