Therapy
In the therapy after a herniated disc in BWS, a distinction is made between an acute and a rehabilitative phase. In the acute phase, the first thing to do is to relieve the pain and promote healing. For this purpose, gentle soft tissue techniques, heat applications (e.g. fango or red light), light mobilization and stretching techniques can be applied.
In the course of the therapy of the herniated disc, the intensity of the treatment increases, the patient is shown exercises which he should also do on his own at home. A posture correction is essential to avoid damaging overloading, but also the back-friendly handling in everyday life should be learned. Therapeutic techniques from the field of manual therapy are also used to treat possible movement restrictions.
A conscious approach to the back is important, but this should not mean that it is used less in everyday life. A healthy back is always also a mobile back. Excessive protection can be counterproductive!
Symptoms
If a herniated disc occurs nevertheless, it is often asymptomatic in BWS, since, due to the anatomy of BWS, leaking tissue encounters sensitive leaking nerve tissue less frequently than in the other spinal column sections. When nerve irritation occurs, the intercostal nerves are often affected. This can then lead to radiating pain in the thoracic region.
The pain is usually in the form of a belt around the thorax. Radiation to the extremities does not occur, unlike with herniated discs in the cervical or lumbar spine.However, irritation of the intercostal nerves can lead to restrictions and pain during breathing. Local back pain and sensitivity disorders are possible.
Tension of the muscles in the affected area is also common. As a result of the herniated disc, nerve root compression may occur. What you can do in case of nerve root compression in BWS, you will learn in our article Exercises in case of nerve root compression in BWS!
Chest pain
Since nerves emerge from the spinal cord of the thoracic spine, which also supply our thorax sensitively and motorically, a herniated disc in the thoracic spine can occasionally cause irritation of these nerves and consequently pain in their supply areas. This can result in chest pain, among other things. Chest pain associated with a herniated disc is common and can easily cause irritation and anxiety in the patient, as it is associated with organic complaints, e.g. heart problems. Pain caused by a herniated disc usually runs in a belt shape around the thorax along the ribs and can be provoked by pressure on the spine or a certain movement. If the pain occurs over a longer period of time, independent of movement or accompanied by other symptoms, a medical diagnosis should be made urgently to clarify the cause of the pain.
