Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist, Sports Physician Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ explained the most common mistakes made in herniated disc and made important warnings and suggestions. The number of people suffering from low back pain is increasing rapidly due to the sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, long hours spent in front of the computer and the wrong sitting position at the desk, which have become increasingly common in recent years. The rate of referral to a physician due to low back pain is second after headache and third in terms of surgical treatment. Stating that every low back pain does not mean a herniated disc, Acıbadem Fulya Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist, Sports Physician Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ listed the 10 most common mistakes made in lumbar hernia;
Sitting despite bed rest!
One of the most common mistakes in herniated disc patients; Continuing to sit despite the doctor's order for bed rest. However, sitting does not replace bed rest. prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ said, “The pressure on the disc in a sitting person increases significantly as a result of sitting and especially bending over to the sides. For this reason, during the rest period given to the patient, the person should rest by lying down instead of sitting down. When he wants to sit, he should do this with a pillow that supports the lumbar cavity.
Not paying attention to weight loss
Emphasizing that excess weight increases back pain, it can also cause pain. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ, on the other hand, said that not taking enough care to get rid of excess weight is among the most common mistakes. Stating that weight gain may be accelerated due to the decrease in the activity level of the patient with low back pain, Prof. Dr. For this reason, Tolga Aydoğ emphasized that it is important to get dietitian support in the first days when rest and controlled movement are important.
Doing challenging exercises/sports by saying 'nails take nails'
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Specialist, Sports Physician Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ explained one of the prominent mistakes as follows: “Exercise plays a very important role in the treatment of lumbar hernia. In this context, attention should be paid to lengthening the short muscles around the waist and hips, strengthening the weak muscles, and increasing the general condition. However, compulsive movements should be avoided because even though compelling movements can increase the strength of the muscles, they can increase the pressure on the disc and cause the problem to worsen. Therefore, it is very important to make a well-planned exercise plan according to the physical condition of the person.”
lie down for a long time without getting up
In the treatment of acute lumbar hernia, bed rest undoubtedly plays a very important role in reducing the pressure on the disc, but beware! Lying for too long without getting up causes weakness in the muscles and limitation of movement in the joints. prof. Dr. For this reason, Tolga Aydoğ said that bed rest should not exceed one week.
continue smoking
The proven harms of smoking for general body health are also evident in herniated disc. Stating that smoking can increase the risk of lumbar hernia by disrupting the blood supply to the disc and negatively affect the treatment, Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ pointed out that due to the cough caused by smoking, it can also prepare the ground for herniated disc.
Sleeping on the floor instead of a hard mattress
Although sleeping on hard beds is still accepted in the treatment of herniated disc, this does not mean lying on a hard floor. Stating that it is necessary to avoid lying on the floor, since the waist can come to undesirable compelling positions during lying down and getting up, Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ said, “We recommend a normal-height firm mattress, not on the floor. Today, before the development of 'visco' mattresses that take the shape of the body, it was generally accepted that patients with lumbar hernia should sleep on hard mattresses. After 'visco' beds are removed, it is generally accepted that the bed in which the patient is comfortable is correct, not necessarily hard beds. Although hard mattresses are the first choice in acute low back pain, we think that the comfortable mattress in the chronic period is the right mattress.
Applying to non-experts
prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ stated that one of the most common mistakes made by those who suffer from low back pain and those who have a herniated disc in their MRI is acting on hearsay information and suggestions: He warned that permanent disabilities may occur as a result of turning to people who are not experts in the job, rather than a doctor with words such as ”.
Thinking "I had a hernia surgery, it won't happen again"
prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ continued as follows: “If some rules are not followed in daily life after hernia surgery, the hernia problem may recur at the same level or from another level. For this reason, even if the person undergoes surgery due to herniated disc, he should follow the general rules to protect his spine, and take care to reach sufficient flexibility and strength around the spine with exercises and to increase his general condition. “
Not learning the correct ergonomic movements for the waist
Heavy lifting and compelling physical movements increase both back pain and the risk of herniated disc. prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ made the following suggestions by stating that some movements that can be done unconsciously in daily life can cause an invitation to herniated disc:
- Instead of bending at the waist to pick something off the ground, bend your knees.
- Carry grocery/market shopping bags by distributing them equally in both hands, not in one hand.
- Fill the lumbar cavity with a supportive pillow while sitting.
- Avoid sitting in very high places such as a bar chair or on the floor.
- When placing overhead items on a shelf/cupboard, use a step instead of reaching.
- If you work sitting for a long time, get up every hour at the latest. For; short walks every hour; It is very important for the health of the lumbar vertebrae, the ligaments and muscles around the waist, and the discs.
Seeing surgery as the only solution
Stating that surgery should be a last resort in hernia, Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydoğ, situations that require surgery; He listed it as 'loss of strength in the legs, urinary and stool incontinence, and persistence of low back pain despite all kinds of treatment'. Stating that 90-95% success can be achieved with the methods applied before the surgery, Prof. Dr. Tolga Aydog said:
“Luminary hernia; rest for a long time, painkillers, muscle relaxants and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (sometimes steroid) drugs, exercise, imaging-assisted low back injections (transforaminal / epidural injections), waist braces, manual therapy (manipulation / chiropractic), hot application and physical therapy 90-95 percent can be cured in such methods. It is a much more correct treatment style to take a holistic approach and apply many treatments together, rather than choosing a single treatment in patients with lumbar hernia.”