Therapy on the device | Physiotherapy for a slipped disc

Therapy on the device

For therapy, devices (e.g. leg press up to the Theraband) can also be used to train muscular deficits caused by the herniated disc, e.g. in the leg or arm muscles, or to strengthen the back/belly itself. The patient should always receive a precise instruction in the equipment, the execution and the intensity of the exercises.

In case of surgical treatment, the surgeon’s instructions regarding mobility and load should be observed. The therapy can also be supplemented at this stage by soft tissue techniques (passive stretching techniques, massage, trigger point therapy, fascial techniques) in order to treat altered structures, improve the nutritional situation of the tissue or alleviate pain. Techniques of manual therapy can also be part of the therapy to reduce functional disorders of the structures and to restore mobility in certain sections of the spine.

Other therapeutic procedures

To support the therapy of the herniated disc, electrotherapy is one of the possible methods, which can stimulate damaged nerves or weak muscles in a targeted manner or alleviate pain. A reduction of pain can be achieved with the help of analgesics. There are different offers of the health insurance company within the range Reha and prevention, which are applicable for the therapy of the intervertebral disk incident supplementing. Relief through aids in everyday life, a redesign of the workplace to improve ergometry can still be helpful.

Pain during physiotherapy

It is possible that pain may occur during the physiotherapeutic exercises. This is not necessarily a reason to stop the therapy. The pain should be discussed with the therapist before performing the exercises again. The pain may be a sore muscle or shortened structures that cause pain due to stretching. Also a wrong or overloading can be the cause of the pain.

Summary

The herniated disc is a versatile and very individual clinical picture, which can be treated in physiotherapy through pain-reducing measures such as massage techniques, soft tissue treatment, trigger points, mobilization techniques such as manual therapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises. The treatment is strongly dependent on the findings and includes the everyday life of the patient (posture at work, back-friendly behavior in everyday life). The success of the treatment depends on the location and severity of the herniated disc and on the patient’s consistent cooperation.

Already in the acute state of the lumbar disc herniation, specific behavior and exercises accompanying medical pain therapy can bring relief. As the pain decreases and strength increases through targeted strength training, the physical performance for everyday life and work improves within a few weeks and months, depending on the intensity of training and the pain findings. The chance of staying free of pain for a long time can be significantly increased by increasing stability and back-friendly behavior in everyday life and at work. Growing confidence in one’s own body, a decrease in fears and the increasing repression of acute pain from the mind allow normality to return to life.