Slipped disc – what to do?
Although a herniated disc in the thoracic spine occurs less frequently than a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, it is no less painful for those affected. Contrary to the general belief that one should take extra care when suffering from a herniated disc, this is even proven to be counterproductive for the healing process. It is also a widespread misconception that a herniated disc often has to be put under the knife.
About 70% of herniated disks are treated conservatively today with the help of physiotherapy, pain therapy, sparing and warmth. Even sport is still possible, in moderation and with restrictions. First, however, affected persons should have a doctor clarify how serious the herniated disc in BWS really is.
Imaging techniques are used which can show whether the disc is pressing on surrounding structures such as a nerve root. If this is the case and the patient suffers from failure symptoms or extremely severe pain, surgery may be necessary. Today, this is usually done by minimally invasive procedures that do not leave large surgical wounds. The methods used include interventional pain therapy, whereby CT-guided injections are injected into the affected area, disc decompression and PLDD (Percutaneous Laser Disk Decompression).
Shortness of breath
In the course of a herniated disc in the thoracic spine, some patients may also experience difficulty breathing. This may be due to the fact that the herniated disc causes pain when breathing in deeply and patients try to avoid this by breathing shallowly. Contrary to the general belief, very few problems with breathing have anything to do with a disease of the lung itself.
The lung is ventilated by the surrounding muscles by pulling it apart and squeezing it together again. If a herniated disc in the thoracic spine causes muscle tension, the respiratory muscles can also be affected. For those affected, the feeling of not being able to breathe or not getting enough air is initially very threatening. Many feel helpless and panic, which can further increase the symptoms.There are a number of exercises and relaxation techniques that can be used as first aid measures to help patients with breathing difficulties. If you experience shortness of breath as an accompanying symptom or without any apparent reason, you should consult a doctor so that he or she can get to the bottom of the problem.
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