Sciatica Treatment in Delhi

Sciatica pain starts from the nerves and spreads across the legs. They can be cured if Sciatica symptoms are treated early.

“Do you know that most commonly affected people from Sciatica are between thirty and fifty years of age, but that might occur in people within twenty years of age. Around 40 to 60 percent of the people in the world will have issues of Sciatica and lower back pain at some point or the other in their lives. And if left untreated it can lead to other serious conditions. So, you must see a doctor if you don’t feel any betterment in the pain after a few weeks.”

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is one of the most common spine injuries in humans. It is related to the discs that are present in the spine. Basically, the spine in the human body has a series of vertebrae, which are bones stacked on top of each other. Now, since stacking a hard bone over the other can cause degeneration due to direct contact, discs are present between two vertebrae to prevent degeneration. 

Moreover, the bones in the spine are shaped in a way that they leave a hollow cavity in the centre of the spine for nerves to reach the lower body from the brain via the spine. Now, for any reason, if the inner jelly-like substance present in the disc comes out by tearing the outer covering, it is known as a herniated disc. What exactly happens in this case is that the jelly-like substance, which has now enveloped the spine cavity, compresses the nerves that are going through. Hence, it leads to pain and many other symptoms. 

Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

The symptoms of a herniated disc differ based on the location of the herniated disc. While pain and muscle weakness are two common symptoms, here are symptoms of two types of herniated disc condition.

  • Near the Neck Region 

In this case, the herniated disc is present in the neck and is known as herniated cervical disc. The symptoms are:

  • Static pain and discomfort in the shoulder and neck region. 
  • Radiating pain starts from the shoulder and goes through the hands and fingers. 
  • Numbness and tingling in hands due to nerve compression 

 

  • Near the Lower Back Region 

Herniated lumbar disc is the condition where the affected disc is present in the lumbar or lower back region, and the symptoms are:

  • Constant back pain. 
  • Radiating pain starting from the back to the legs. 
  • Tingling and numbness in the leg due to nerve compression.
What is the Main Cause of a Herniated Disc? – Causes and Risk Factors

As we discussed, when the inner material of the disc present in the spine tears its firm outside covering, it causes pain and is known as a herniated disc. But what exactly causes a disc to end up in this condition? The causes of herniated discs can be many, ranging from age to being overweight. So, there are many risk factors for disc herniation like:

  • Ageing: As people grow older, their muscle strength decreases. In the spine, it causes extra pressure on the discs as the supporting muscles are now weaker. Hence, the disc ruptures and causes a herniated disc.
  • Genetics: A history of herniated discs in the family can also be a risk factor. 
  • Excessive Weight: Being overweight can also put extra pressure on the discs, leading to herniated disc condition. 
  • Weight Lifting: It is a common reason for disc herniation where people carry excessive weight, which leads to spine injury, which in most cases is disc herniation. 
  • Trauma: Other than these, an accident like sudden twisting of the spine can also cause a herniated disc. 

Diagnosis of Herniated Disc

For the diagnosis of a herniated disc, the doctor first lists down your symptoms. If the symptoms are found to be related to the herniated disc, then these are the methods that the doctor may use for confirmation:

  • MRI
  • XRay
  • CT Scan

What is the Best Treatment for Disc Herniation? – Treatment Options for Herniated Disc

Here are the treatment options for herniated discs:

  • Pain Relief Medication 

Most cases of herniated discs heal on their own, which means you are left with pain until the healing process ends. To manage the pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relief medication. After some time, you may see that the symptoms have vanished completely, and you can stop taking further medication.

  • Ice and Heat Therapy

You should also focus on taking proper rest as it helps you get relief earlier by preventing further strain on the affected disc. Moreover, you use ice and heat accordingly to deal with pain and inflammation. If you are feeling unbearable pain, then you can apply it for instant relief. On the other hand, if there’s inflammation around the affected area, you can use a heating pad. Make sure not to use both of these methods for a longer period of time.  

  • Physical Therapy 

Physical therapy is also a great way to deal with herniated discs. You can book a session with a professional where the therapist will use different methods to relieve the muscles as well as grow them stronger so that they provide better support to your spine. It leads to early recovery from the problem and prevention of further damage. 

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery 
    • Microdiscectomy: A surgery which helps remove the part of herniated disc through small incision. 
  • Laminectomy: A procedure to remove part of the bone from the spine for decompression. 
  • Regenerative Intervention 

Regenerative intervention orthobiologics is a modern science-backed procedure that is used in spine conditions to make recovery faster. In this process, the orthobiologics are created with the help of bone marrow concentrate or growth factors from your own blood. These orthobiologics are implanted in your spine around the affected part and can also be done in a hybrid manner after a minimally invasive surgery. It doesn’t require any additional incision. As soon as the orthobiologics are implanted, they help the tissues to recover on their own. 

  • Traditional Open Surgery 

In some very rare cases, the herniated disc can cause a problem called Cauda Equina syndrome. In this syndrome, the patient loses the ability to control bladder and bowel movements. In such cases, an urgent invasive surgery is done, which requires much more time to recover. 

How Long to Rest after a Herniated Disc? – Recovery and Rehabilitation

The recovery time for a herniated disc can vary from a few weeks to even months. If the condition starts to heal on its own, it mostly takes just a few weeks. However, if the surgery is performed, then it may take several months to recover and resume regular activities. These are the rehabilitation tips for herniated discs:

  • Take an adequate amount of rest. 
  • Perform stretching exercises and strength training guided by a professional to build strong muscles. 
  • Don’t perform activities that lead to pain and discomfort. 
  • Follow a pre-planned routine to get back to normal activities after the herniated disc treatment. 

Prevention Tips for Herniated Discs

Here are some of the preventive measures to avoid herniated discs: 

  • Good Posture: Always sit and stand, maintaining good posture. Repetitive bad posture increases the changes of herniated discs. 
  • Healthy Body Weight: Make sure to maintain a healthy body weight to avoid excess stress on the spine and discs. 
  • Stretching and Strength Training: Increase body flexibility with stretching exercises so that you can avoid the risk of a herniated disc due to minor sudden movements. Follow a strength training routine to grow your muscles stronger, which leads to better support for the spine. 
  • Proper Lifting Techniques: Make sure to use proper lifting techniques while lifting weights in exercises like deadlifts, lower body weight lifting, etc. 
  • Smoking: Smoking also puts you at a high risk of disc herniation. So, stop smoking.
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Frequently Asked Questions

You can assess your body to identify certain conditions like back pain, neck pain, numbness or tingling sensation in your arms and legs. If such conditions are absent in your body, then you have a healthy spine.

Yes, regenerative treatments are found to be effective for back pain as they help with healing and has antiinflammatory role which provides time for disc and muscles in spine which are the main cause of pain in spine

Yes, regular walking helps to make the muscles around your spine stronger. In this way, your spine regains its mobility. Core strengthening exercises are also a great way to heal your spine.

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