Physiotherapy for nerve root compression in the lumbar spine

Nerve root compression in the lumbar spine is caused, for example, by a herniated disc, arthrosis with severe bony changes or a tumor. This leads to a compression of the spinal nerve exiting the spinal cord. In addition to local back pain, this constriction of the spinal nerve usually manifests itself through very specific symptoms. These include pain radiation, sensitivity problems and muscle weakness in the periphery.

Physiotherapy

Once the cause of the nerve root compression has been clarified, physiotherapeutic treatment can be helpful. At first, an attempt is made to relieve the nerve root. This can be done by special positioning (e.g. step positioning), but also by posture training.

During posture training, the patient’s statics are analyzed and any incorrect loading is corrected. In a back school, back-friendly behavior is learned in order to prevent overstraining and thus, for example, further strain on the intervertebral discs. You can find more about back school here: Back school To ensure long-term relief of the nerve root, it is important to stabilize the patient’s posture muscularly.

Muscles that are too weak (usually the abdominal muscles) are strengthened for this purpose and shortened muscles (often the back extensor and hip flexor muscles) are stretched to restore the physiological spinal position. In cases of acute nerve root compression, such interventions may be too painful and relaxing techniques such as massage or heat applications are used. If nerve root compression was prolonged, weaknesses in the muscles supplied by the corresponding nerve may have occurred, for example, peroneal paralysis.

Nerve mobilization can also be performed in physiotherapeutic treatment. By means of certain stretching techniques, the patient can actively or with the help of the therapist improve the mobility of the nerve in its sheath and thus also stimulate the supply of nerve tissue, which can support the healing process of the compressed tissue. If irreversible damage has been caused by compression, physiotherapy must develop compensation strategies in order to prevent or minimize consequential damage, e.g. caused by a relieving posture, or restrictions in everyday mobility. This article may also be of interest to you: Physiotherapy for back pain