| What to try before you have back surgery on | | | | everything? Surgery of any sort always |
| your herniated disc | | | | involves calculated risks that you must be |
| | | | fully aware of. Spinal surgery in particular |
| If you or someone you care for is due for | | | | can be risky, and a positive outcome is not |
| back surgery on a herniated disc, then this | | | | always achieved. Be sure to try a number of |
| may be the most important letter you ever | | | | conservative treatments (physiotherapy, |
| read. | | | | osteopathy, chiropractic, acupuncture) before |
| | | | you decide to walk down the path of surgery. |
| Here's why…Going straight in for back | | | | For the majority, surgery can provide some |
| surgery on a herniated disc without taking | | | | relief but the degree of improvement varies |
| some crucial steps to prepare can increase | | | | from person to person. There are also cases |
| the already inherent risks of such surgery on | | | | of chronic pain that develop and persist |
| general health. | | | | after spinal surgery. |
| | | | |
| Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists are experts | | | | McKenzie Exercises: Robyn McKenzie is a |
| at assessing and treating disorders of the | | | | physiotherapist from New Zealand who |
| spine. Getting professional help early can | | | | developed a system of assessing and treating |
| dramatically reduce your recovery time and | | | | spinal problems, including disc injuries. Her |
| get you back to work and sport more quickly. | | | | exercises and advice are based on positions |
| You will receive advice on exercises and | | | | and movements that encourage appropriate |
| movements to avoid, as well as those that | | | | "re-positioning" of the disc fragments. Once |
| encourage healing. Many physiotherapists are | | | | the disc is sitting in its correct position, |
| experienced at teaching pilates and can | | | | it will not be painfully impinging on nerves |
| design a program to strengthen your back and | | | | and tissues around the spine. Many |
| prevent further injury in the future. | | | | physiotherapists are skilled in McKenzie |
| | | | therapy. |
| Pilates: While it may be the latest fashion | | | | |
| in sports and exercise, there is real benefit | | | | Hydrotherapy: Combining exercise in a warm |
| to be found from Pilates. Pilates exercises | | | | environment where there is no gravity can be |
| are based on improving posture and | | | | absolutely superb in relieving pain and |
| strengthening the "core" muscles. Whenever | | | | improving your mobility. Hydrotherapy is an |
| there is an injury or pain in the lower back, | | | | excellent place to begin rehabilitation |
| the core muscles reflexively "switch off"; | | | | exercises. |
| Pilates can help to "switch on" your core | | | | |
| again after injury. A strong core will | | | | Avoid activities that irritate herniated |
| provide crucial support and reinforcement to | | | | discs: Whenever we "herniate" or "bulge" a |
| the lower back. Make sure you participate in | | | | disc, it is usually displaced either |
| a Clinical Pilates class that is run by an | | | | backwards or backwards and to the side. The |
| experienced physiotherapist. | | | | following activities and positions can really |
| | | | irritate a disc problem: Sitting, Bending |
| Heat packs: Physiotherapists will frequently | | | | towards your toes, Bending forwards and |
| recommend the use of heat packs as a self | | | | twisting at the same time, Lifting, Driving |
| management strategy. Heat packs are a | | | | long distances, Yard work, Gardening |
| wonderful and simple pain relief device that | | | | |
| have been used successfully for thousands of | | | | The following can help to relieve pain and |
| years. The application of heat will assist in | | | | pressure on an injured disc: Laying on your |
| reducing or blocking pain sensations to your | | | | tummy, standing up, Walking, McKenzie |
| brain and will also encourage tight muscles | | | | exercises, Pilates exercises with an |
| to relax. This will leave you with more | | | | "extension" bias (ask your pilates instructor |
| movement and less pain. | | | | or physiotherapist for more information). |
| | | | |
| Anti inflammatory medication: The natural | | | | In my experience as a physiotherapist, I have |
| response of the human body to any injury is | | | | seen the majority of disc injury patients |
| the release of inflammatory cells. These | | | | make an excellent recovery using the above |
| irritate pain receptors in the injured area | | | | conservative approaches. |
| and create discomfort. Anti-inflammatory | | | | |
| medication effectively blocks the pain | | | | WHAT TREATMENT IS BEST? |
| receptors and decreases the pain sensation. | | | | |
| They are especially useful if you are | | | | As we are all unique individuals, what works |
| experiencing pain during the night. If you | | | | for one person may not necessarily work with |
| are asthmatic, suffer from stomach ulcers or | | | | another. Of the treatments described, |
| are pregnant, check with your doctor before | | | | physiotherapy is widely recognized and |
| using anti-inflammatory medication. | | | | accepted by western medicine. Chiropractic |
| | | | and Osteopathy are offshoots of western |
| Back brace: A brace can help to provide extra | | | | medicine dating back to the late 19th century |
| support to your back while it is recovering. | | | | but they are not overly supported by western |
| It essentially provides the same kind of | | | | medicine. Along with chiropractic and |
| support your core muscles would provide when | | | | osteopathy, myotherapy is also considered a |
| they are strong and functioning correctly. | | | | complementary health approach. |
| Many people report and immediate improvement | | | | |
| on using a back brace . | | | | HOW DO I CHOOSE A THERAPIST? |
| | | | |
| Walking: Walking is a wonderful, low impact | | | | Always choose a therapist that is registered |
| activity that can help to maintain fitness | | | | with a professional body (such as the |
| throughout your life. It is also excellent | | | | Australian Physiotherapy Association). It is |
| for your lower back. The movement of your | | | | important to find a therapist who really |
| legs encourages gentle movement of the pelvis | | | | cares about you and your injury. Be wary of |
| and spine, thus reducing stiffness. Being in | | | | practitioners who refute the value of other |
| a standing position can also reduce the loads | | | | interventions. All philosophies and sciences |
| and forces on the disc, thereby encouraging | | | | have something unique and valuable, and in a |
| healing and decreasing pain. | | | | comprehensive treatment plan, this will be |
| | | | acknowledged by a competent therapist. |
| Get a few opinions: Have you really tried | | | | |