Disc Herniation Relief Tips in Reading, PA
Hey guys, Dr. McClimon back with McClimon Chiropractic. Today, we’re going to give you two tips on how to help when you have a disc herniation, disc bulge, disc protrusion, or any of those things.
What Happens When a Disc Bulges or Herniates
When your disc bulges, the annulus becomes compromised, and the disc bulges out. If you actually have a herniation, the annulus ruptures. The jelly material sticks out and puts pressure on your nerve.
Avoid Extension Exercises
Remember this: When you have a disc bulge or herniation, you do not want to do any extension exercises.
When you extend and go backward, that closes and pinches down the hole. When you do flexion or bend forward, that opens the hole.
I often hear physical therapists telling patients to do extension exercises with the idea of strengthening the back muscles. However, that extension pinches the nerve more, really pisses it off, irritates it, and the problem gets worse.
You don’t want to do any extension exercises. That will make it worse. I promise you.
Do Flexion Exercises
You want to do flexion exercises. Flexion would be lying on your back, bringing your knees up to your chest, squeezing, holding that for 10 seconds, and then relaxing.
Bring your knees up, squeeze, and hold for 10 seconds. That flexion will open the disc space, take pressure off the disc and the nerve, and give you some relief temporarily.
Use Ice to Reduce Inflammation
If you couple that with ice, ice is a great anti-inflammatory. Do not heat this. You want to make sure you ice it.
Ice will reduce the inflammation around that nerve root. That will also give you less pain from less inflammation.
Two Tips for Relief
So, two tips, guys: No extension exercises, just flexion exercises, and ice for 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a day. That’s going to give you some relief.
That’s your tip of the week. God bless. We’ll talk to you soon.
