Non-surgical Lower Back and Neck Hernia

What is Non-Surgical Lower Back and Neck Hernia?

We have pads, which we call discs, located between our vertebrae. These are formations that act as shock absorbers that absorb the weight of the body in movements such as lifting, moving, bending and jumping. For any reason, for example, this may occur as a result of traumatic events such as a traffic accident, fall, impact, or as a result of simpler non-traumatic events such as stress or chronic constipation, these pads lose their elasticity and the process we call hernia begins. Continue reading our article for the process in the treatment of non-surgical lumbar neck hernia.

What are the Symptoms of Lower Back or Neck Hernia?

Frequent reoccurrence of neck or lower back stiffness are early signs that something is not going right in our body. In other words, if our lower back or neck stiffness recurs frequently, it is necessary to pay attention, these are the leading symptoms. Later, our pain begins to appear and over time it starts to not respond even to painkillers. It even becomes such that we even lose sleep from the pain. Why? The hernia has now become more prominent and the event we call inflammation in the nerve tissue has begun to occur.

There is a jelly-like nucleus in the discs between our vertebrae. Nucleus protrudes beyond the disc and begins to press on the nerves. It can be in the form of bubbles. The microcirculation of the nerves under pressure is inhibited and the nerve begins to swell and give symptoms in the form of pain. At the same time, substances that cause pain begin to be released from our discs. This causes numbness and tingling, and then every movement becomes painful. While neck hernias cause pain and numbness and tingling that hits the head, neck, shoulders, shoulder blades, arms and armpits and fingers, herniated discs cause pain and numbness and tingling that hits the lower back, hips, calves and toes. Loss of strength, thinning of arms or legs are symptoms of advanced hernia. Urinary and stool incontinence and balance and gait disturbances are very serious signs and require immediate surgical operation.

How Are Hernias Diagnosed?

With MRI. Yes, it's that simple. The most important diagnostic tool for lower back or neck hernia is MRI. When it comes to hernia, we should keep in mind that not every hernia we see in MRI require intervention, in other words, it is extremely wrong to plan a treatment because there was a hernia in the MRI film. Otherwise, you will have operated on the films, but the patients cannot get rid of their pain and complaints. In other words, a very careful examination guides the treatment. 

How is Lower Back Hernia Diagnosed?

Examination and patient history are of great importance. An experienced doctor can easily detect a lower back hernia. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is recommended to clarify the diagnosis and to guide the treatment. The most important diagnostic tool of lower back hernia is MRI. Here, we should pay attention to this. Not every hernia we see in MRI require intervention, in other words, it is extremely wrong to plan a treatment just because there was a hernia in the MRI movie. The examination and patient's complaints are important. Otherwise, you will be operated solely based on the MRI, but the patients cannot get rid of their pain and complaints, which creates distrust in the treatment.

If the patient has an additional disease such as diabetes and the physician deem it appropriate, he or she may request a nerve test called EMG. EMG helps us to distinguish which nerve is under pressure at which level, whether the nerve pressure is due to a hernia or another reason. Neuropathic pain or compression of a nerve in another region creates different symptoms than nerve pressure from hernia. These examinations are guiding the treatment.