This is where intervertebral hernia comes from: 5 reasons that everyone faces

First, a little about what an “intervertebral disc” is. Our spine(s) are cushioned by pads of tissue called discs. They consist of an outer capsule or ring, the so-called annulus fibrosus. A tough annulus fibrosus surrounds the nucleus pulposus, which is a spongy center of jelly-like material.

The fibrous ring consists of many collagen and elastin fibers that, tightly intertwined, grow together with the vertebral bodies. In the middle of the ring is the nucleus pulposus, which consists of collagen, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes. In volume it is only 1-1.5 cm cubic.

Healthy discs serve as shock absorbers for the spine, allowing it to be flexible. When they are damaged by age or disease, they begin to bulge and the annulus fibrosus may even rupture (the jelly-like material breaks through the tough outer layer). This disease is called intervertebral disc herniation .

A hernia can occur in any part of the spine, but most often appears in the lumbar region. A deformed disc can put significant pressure on both the spinal cord itself and the nerve roots that extend from it. A possible result of this pressure is pain or numbness in various parts of our body. However, many do not experience unpleasant symptoms from existing hernias. Most people who have them do not always require surgical intervention.

If a herniated disc has formed, its tissue can protrude both outward and inward.

The second case is the most dangerous.

In general, a hernia is dangerous not only because of the pain it causes, but also because of the complications it can lead to:

• stenosis (compression) of the spinal cord
• radicular radiculopathy (radiculitis)
• compression of blood vessels - vertebral veins and arteries
• paralysis and paresis
• headaches and dizziness

Predisposing factors for the development of pathology

Those people who constantly lead a sedentary lifestyle are in the group with the highest risk of developing the disease. This includes teachers, car drivers, office and scientific workers.

Predisposing factors to the development of a cervical hernia are the following deviations:

• metabolic disorders;
• insufficient fluid intake;
• bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• heredity;
• the presence of pathological processes in the spine (osteochondrosis, Schmorl’s hernia and other degenerative changes);
• the habit of stooping and walking with your head down;
• changes in the spinal column associated with human aging;
• sports injuries;
• excess body weight;
• congenital pathologies of the spinal column, which determine the number and location of the vertebrae.

What is an intervertebral hernia

The human spine consists of vertebrae with intervertebral discs located between them. Inside the disc is a gel-like substance called the nucleus pulposus. It provides shock absorption - softens shocks and shocks transmitted to the spine during movement. Thanks to the nucleus pulposus, we can walk, run and jump without feeling pain. Elastic discs allow the spine to bend and allow us to move.

A hernia is a condition in which the nucleus pulposus protrudes into the spinal canal. This happens when the dense capsule of the nucleus, the annulus fibrosus, is destroyed. Scientists at the American Mayo Clinic research center compare such a hernia to a donut, where the dough is a fibrous ring of connective tissue fibers, and the filling is the core.

During exercise, for example, when lifting weights, the donut (fibrous ring) contracts and tries to squeeze out the filling (core). Typically, intervertebral discs can withstand this load. But if the tendons are damaged - due to injury or inflammation, the core filling can come out. This is how a hernia is formed.

Symptoms of the disease

A hernia of the cervical spine can be suspected when weakness and periodic attacks of numbness in the arms appear. Then stiffness of the neck and limited movement appear, up to the inability to tilt the head. The following symptoms also indicate the presence of the disease:

• frequent migraine-type headaches;
• increased fatigue;
• dizziness;
• general weakness;
• pain in the neck, aggravated by sudden movement.

As the disease progresses, disruption of the nervous system is observed, manifested in decreased visual acuity, deterioration in the quality of vision, the appearance of constant noise in the head, and impaired coordination of movements.

If you are concerned about these symptoms, you should definitely consult our specialists at the Innovative Medical Center. In no case should you self-medicate, because drugs taken uncontrollably often only help relieve swelling and inflammation, but do not in any way affect the underlying cause. After some time, the disease will definitely recur, and the symptoms will be more threatening. Such neglect of one's health usually has negative consequences.

General principles of training

When performing exercises, it is important to keep your abs tense at all times.
The basic rules for doing the exercises, which were developed by Joseph Pilates, have been time-tested:

• Concentration. Achieving a positive result by focusing on muscle work.
• Stabilization. Engage the abdominal muscles that form the power belt. To make the transverse muscle fibers work, you need to constantly retract your stomach.
• Breath. The correct rhythm of breathing helps regulate the rhythm of movement, as a result the lungs are saturated with oxygen, breathing expands, and the blood is cleansed.
• Muscle control. The exercises are performed without tension. The muscle group they are aimed at works. The rest are in a relaxed state.
• Correct execution. Each exercise is aimed at achieving a specific goal; it is important to follow the execution technique.
• Plastic. Harmonious training is defined by slow movements that smoothly replace one exercise with another.
• Systematicity. Thanks to safety, you can exercise every day, the best option is 3-4 times a week.

Complications of hernia

The danger of a cervical hernia lies in the close location of the vertebral artery, which supplies blood to the brain. Lack of treatment leads to the development of serious complications:

• Ischemic stroke

A protruding disc core, tissue swelling, or inflammation blocks blood flow in the vertebral artery. The cessation of blood supply leads to oxygen starvation of areas of the brain and their death. This side effect leads to paralysis, which often results in disability or death.

• Symptom of vertebral artery compression

When a hernia gradually forms, a person begins to be bothered by a constant dull pain. The appearance of sharp painful sensations of a stabbing nature may indicate compression of the artery. In addition, there is tinnitus, confusion, double vision, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, and sometimes nausea or vomiting.

• Paralysis

Due to the compression of nearby blood vessels by the hernia, gradual, irreversible death of nerve endings occurs. This, in turn, leads to paralysis of one or both arms.

Complications develop gradually, they can be recognized in advance, so you should contact a specialist at the first symptoms.

The article was reviewed by osteopath and chiropractor A.V. Strakhov.

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Diagnosis of the disease

When applying for a consultation, a specialist will definitely conduct a visual examination and find out the causes preceding the exacerbation attack, after which he will refer you for a series of examinations. To diagnose a cervical hernia, the following instrumental research methods are used:

• X-ray of the corresponding part of the spinal column;
• magnetic resonance therapy;
• CT scan;
• radionuclide myelogram (a special substance is injected into the spinal cord canal, then an x-ray is performed);
• Ultrasound.

Using these methods, the localization of the hernia, instability of the vertebrae, the degree of damage to the spine in the neck, the presence of areas of compression of the spinal cord, the condition of the blood vessels and nerve processes are determined.

Treatment of cervical hernias

At our Innovative Medical Center, the efforts of specialists are aimed at finding the cause and source of discomfort. We use an integrated approach, the scope of which depends on the severity of the patient’s condition and the degree of damage to the spine. We use non-surgical treatment for a herniated cervical spine as it is more gentle and in most cases we are able to help the patient avoid surgery and lead a comfortable lifestyle without pain. We will help you cope with the disease during an exacerbation, and in the future your main task will be to try your best to avoid a relapse.

Cervical osteochondrosis

The disease is insidious due to its rapid progression and possible complications, which can damage the brain. This danger arises due to the destruction of the cervical vertebrae, which leads to compression of the blood vessels: the “nutrition” of the brain becomes scarce and cannot satisfy its functional needs. Lack of oxygen and impaired outflow of venous blood cause an increase in blood pressure. Thus, one disease provokes the occurrence of many dangerous disorders in the body.

To prevent these serious complications, physical activity should begin immediately after the acute period has stopped. Its goal is to prevent recurrent attacks or reduce their intensity and number.

Pilates classes for cervical osteochondrosis “give” the brain the necessary nutrition, and therefore “protect” it from stroke. Despite the safety of exercise, it is important to consult with your doctor before starting it. Moreover, with this disease it is important to practice under the guidance of an experienced instructor. He will help you choose the right set of exercises, tell you about the principles of the technique and monitor the correct execution of the movements.

Important!

Remember that the load must be increased gradually. If pain and discomfort occur, stop exercising and undergo mandatory consultation with a doctor.

Exercises

Let's look at some of the most famous Pilates exercises used for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Classes begin with a warm-up, which includes rotation of the head, hands, elbows and shoulders. If after the warm-up movements no unpleasant or painful sensations appear, proceed to the main training.

Note!

One exercise should sequentially “transition” into another. Pauses between movements are unacceptable.

1. Stand with your feet slightly apart. Keep your back straight. Place your palms on your shoulders and, pressing on them, stretch your neck as much as possible. Stay in this position for 4-5 minutes. Watch your breathing: inhaling slowly and smoothly, hold your breath for 15 seconds. Then slowly exhale. After returning to the starting position, repeat the exercise 5-6 times.
2. Stay in the same starting position with your arms down along your body. Slowly tilt your head to your right shoulder, then to your left, forward and back. Breathe slowly and clearly. Do the exercise for 5-6 minutes.
3. Repeat the movements from the previous exercise. With each turn of your head, increase your speed. Remember that breathing should remain rhythmic.

It is important!

If you have a cervical hernia, be sure to wear a Shants collar during classes, placing minimal stress on the lumbar region.

Who will treat you?

The Innovative Medical Center employs doctors of the highest category, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, who have helped many patients forget about neck pain and do without surgery. The following specialists specialize in the treatment of hernias of the cervical spine:

Bogdanov Vadim Yurievich

Chief traumatologist-orthopedist.
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Ronami Valery Guseinovich

neurologist, reflexologist, chiropractor, professor, doctor of medical sciences.
More details

Treatment tactics in our clinic

Treatment of cervical disc herniation at the Innovative Medical Center includes:

• Relief of pain using blockades, injection of platelet-rich plasma and hyaluronic acid into the damaged vertebra, manual therapy, acupuncture.
• The use of muscle relaxants and chondroprotectors to relieve muscle spasms and prevent degeneration of intervertebral disc tissue.
• An individual recovery program using kinesitherapy, when, under the supervision of a specialist, the patient completes an individually designed program to strengthen the neck muscles. Especially for this purpose, the medical center is equipped with innovative decompression simulators.
• The use of modern physical equipment designed to stimulate metabolic processes in the tissues of the neck, accelerate regeneration processes, reduce swelling, improve lymph flow, and relieve inflammation and pain.
• Courses of therapeutic massage and manual therapy, as well as taping. All this helps to reduce pain, relieve the load on the lesion, quickly restore the mobility of the vertebrae, improve local blood circulation, relieve muscles from tension, and restore mobility.

Treatment of a cervical hernia takes a long time and includes the use of a variety of techniques aimed at healing and restoring the functions of the spine. The earlier the treatment is started, the more pronounced the effect will be.

The benefits of Pilates for lumbar disc herniation

The uniqueness of Pilates is the combination of useful exercises. To do them you will need not strength, but concentration, balance and a general understanding of how muscles work. As a result of exercise, muscle tension increases, blood supply to the problem area increases, and “deep” muscles that are practically not involved in life are worked out.

This training system is useful for the spine in the following ways:

• The required level of exercise improves blood supply.
• The muscles of the spinal frame are worked out and formed.
• Muscle spasms are relieved, restoring their function.
• Losing weight helps remove excess stress.
• There is no dangerous strain on the back.

Is it possible to do Pilates with a hernia?

The treatment technique is recommended to patients to eliminate many spinal problems. It is not allowed to use it during periods of inflammation or exacerbation, which require special surgical operations. The ability to perform exercises without the use of force and vertical impact on the lower back is considered the main advantage for patients with a sore spine.

Before starting to use the technique, you need to consult a doctor who will prescribe training according to the specifics of the disease.

Advantages of treating cervical hernia in our clinic

Our Innovative Medical Center has all the conditions and opportunities for high-quality treatment of spinal hernia in the neck. The clinic’s specialists are experienced and competent doctors, including candidates and doctors of medical sciences.

The experience, skills and knowledge of our doctors are quite enough to help patients forget about neck pain as quickly as possible, avoid surgical intervention and improve their quality of life.

The medical center is equipped with the latest equipment designed for the treatment and rehabilitation of hernias of the cervical and other parts of the spine. Regular training in a special kinesitherapy room helps to get rid of unpleasant sensations and reduce the frequency of relapses.

The average duration of treatment is 3-6 weeks. After its completion, the doctor gives recommendations to help stop the development of the disease and minimize discomfort and other unpleasant symptoms.

Numerous reviews on the Internet, as well as video reviews on our website from our grateful patients, are confirmation of the high level of treatment that you can receive in our clinic for any disease of the spine or joints. We will be glad to be of service to you. Let movement be a joy!

Pilates in the treatment of the spine

Until recently, various problems and diseases of the spine were mainly the lot of older people due to natural changes in the body. But in our time, these problems have become significantly “younger” and have acquired an almost spontaneous and epidemiological character.

There are many reasons for this: a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work and leisure time, lack of interest and time for sports, a developed transport network, poor nutrition - and this is not a complete list of sources of problems. This is why more and more young people suffer from back pain, overlooking the fact that over time any of the orthopedic disorders will only get worse with age.

Experts believe that the outdated approach of “protecting the spine” is not justified, since proper physical activity in the required dosage will prevent progression, reduce the severity of existing problems and prevent their occurrence in the future.

Conservative treatment of the spine, as well as rehabilitation of patients after surgical interventions, is impossible without physical therapy. In recent years, along with individually selected sets of exercise therapy, patients are increasingly being recommended to engage in a sport such as Pilates for the treatment and prevention of health problems.

Pilates is a comprehensive system of exercises that not only solves a specific orthopedic problem, but also generally improves the health of the body. It has no restrictions on the age or physical condition of the patient. It is recommended for the treatment of spinal hernia, osteochondrosis, Scheuermann-Mau disease, treatment of dorsalgia and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

The history of the Pilates system

The founder of Pilates was the young German Joseph Pilates, who had suffered from several diseases since childhood that negatively affected his health. To treat posture and other problems with the bones and muscles of the back, he selected an individual set of exercises for himself, combining elements of various sports.

The Pilates system is based on the idea that the body and its diseases must be treated as an unbalanced mechanism, therefore the path of treatment is in careful and gradual adjustment of the body, which will subsequently maintain itself in a healthy state.

Already by the age of 14, Joseph was a clear proof of his technique, possessing developed correct body proportions, sculpted muscles and excellent health.

Pilates received real recognition during World War I, when Joseph, who was living in Great Britain at that time, began using his system of exercises to quickly and effectively restore the health of English soldiers after being wounded on the battlefield.

In addition to hospital patients, the new healing and modeling direction of fitness was appreciated by American athletes and ballerinas - since 1926. Joseph emigrated to the USA and founded his own sports studio in New York, distributing his system among people who monitor their health and body condition.

The difference between Pilates and other types of recreational and modeling sports

According to experts, the importance of Pilates is primarily manifested in rehabilitation after orthopedic injuries and operations; its exercises are included in conservative methods of treating vertebral hernias, it is used as specialized therapeutic exercises for Scheuermann-Mau disease, as a corrective and preventive remedy for posture, etc. .

But Pilates is beneficial not only in the treatment and prevention of orthopedic problems; in addition, it actively affects the respiratory and circulatory systems of the human body. This is possible thanks to precise control of the exercises at a certain count of inhalations and exhalations, and, consequently, proper saturation of tissues with oxygen.

Despite a certain similarity between Pilates and other health-improving and body-sculpting exercise systems, for example, yoga, shaping, aerobics, bodybuilding, there are many differences between these sports complexes:

• unlike yoga, the static exercises of which are aimed at stretching, the dynamic movements of Pilates are aimed at strengthening the muscles;
• shaping exercises are divided into fat burning and modeling, while in Pilates both goals are combined;
• the fast pace and range of movements in aerobics are not suitable for all age groups of patients, while with Pilates there are no age limits or health restrictions;
• bodybuilding and other strength systems for modeling and strengthening muscles have significant limitations on the physical condition of the body and in some cases can even aggravate an orthopedic problem, unlike Pilates, which harmoniously and correctly develops the muscular corset.

How are Pilates exercises performed?

The Pilates system includes up to 500 different exercises, which are performed in various starting positions, possibly using a variety of equipment - from fitballs that have become fashionable to specialized Pilates machines.

Each of the movements combines alternating load and relaxation of certain muscle groups, down to the smallest ones, which are practically not involved in other sports. All movements are performed slowly and smoothly, while maintaining clear control over posture and diaphragmatic breathing. The exercise is performed without stopping, measuredly moving from one movement to another.

Thanks to this concentration, within a few weeks a person notices the first results - it becomes easier to control posture in everyday life, pain syndromes decrease, muscles become stronger, and the spine becomes flexible.

Who is Pilates recommended for?

The following people are recommended to pay attention to the Pilates system:

• leading an inactive lifestyle, which has led or may lead to various problems with the spine;
• with limited free time - short exercises will not only improve health, but will also help you relax after a hard day;
• with contraindications to cardio or strength training;
• without experience in any sport – Pilates is suitable for people with any level of training, health status and age;
• overweight people who are contraindicated or find it difficult to engage in other sports;
• for older people, especially those with problems with the veins of the lower extremities or joint mobility, exercises will help tone blood vessels, improve nutrition and blood circulation in the joints;
• with spinal problems, after surgical interventions, Pilates is often prescribed as part of a rehabilitation or preventive program;
• with joint problems, since Pilates significantly improves the condition of cartilage tissue, strengthening the elbow, shoulder, knee and hip joints;
• For pregnant women during the prenatal and postpartum period, for whom strength training is contraindicated, Pilates helps relieve stress from the spine, tone muscles and skin, and quickly get back into shape after childbirth without compromising the health of the mother and child.

What you need to know before starting Pilates

Despite the stated safety and usefulness of Pilates for patients with orthopedic problems, before starting training, you need to follow some recommendations:

• For diseases of the spine, only the attending specialist, after examination or treatment, can prescribe physical rehabilitation using Pilates exercises.
• In the acute stage of the process of spinal diseases, any load is strictly contraindicated. Pilates classes can be started only after pain has been relieved and the disease has entered the stage of remission.
• It is necessary to start classes only with an individual instructor, who will select a safe and appropriate set of exercises, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and the patient’s condition, and will also monitor the correctness of their implementation. Only after the patient’s condition improves and becomes familiar with the Pilates system as a whole can you move on to group exercises in fitness centers or independently at home.
• Pilates classes should be regular (optimally 2-3 times a week, gradually increasing to 3-4 times, at equal intervals), which will help achieve greater results and quickly tone the body.
• Exercises will not give immediate effect and relief. The appearance of the first, but nevertheless stable and long-term results should be expected only after several months of regular exercise.
• You should not immediately try to master exercises using special equipment - these classes are already for trained people. Otherwise, if you are careless, you may injure yourself.

Benefits of Pilates in treating the spine

1. Improving nutrition of intervertebral discs. After 25-30 years, the vessels in the cartilaginous tissues of the intervertebral discs gradually atrophy, which leads to a deficiency of essential nutrients, which now enter the discs exclusively from the surrounding tissues. As a result, the cartilage gradually becomes thinner and decreases in height, worsening the shock-absorbing properties of the spine. Pilates exercises involve even deep and small muscle groups, activating the nutrition of the spinal cartilage.
2. Formation of the muscular frame. For many problems with the spine, scoliosis centers and orthopedists prescribe the wearing of special corrective corsets or systems. Ideally, the corrective and supporting function should be handled by the back muscles, forming a natural corset and holding the vertebrae in the correct position. But when, due to a sedentary lifestyle, the muscle corset is poorly or incorrectly developed, Pilates exercises will quickly solve this problem, removing part of the load from the cartilage layers, transferring it to the muscles.
3. Formation of correct posture by controlling and maintaining body balance. The load on the entire body is distributed evenly, without curvature, which reduces the manifestations and likelihood of scoliosis and other abnormalities. Pilates corrects even severe curvatures of the spine, such as teenage lordosis. Exercises based on the degree of load and ease of implementation are best suited for the prevention and rehabilitation of children with orthopedic problems, since Pilates improves posture, teaches proper breathing and does not provide excessive physical activity.
4. Elimination of pain syndrome. For some patients, Pilates helps relieve back pain, which is often caused by pinched nerve endings. Exercises are prescribed to treat displacement of the vertebrae, which stretch, return to the desired position, and release nerve fibers. The second most common cause of back pain is muscle spasm due to many spinal diseases. Pilates exercises are used in the treatment of back muscles, they restore their normal function and nutrition.
5. Reducing body weight. Excess weight significantly increases the load on the spine, and Pilates classes gradually and naturally bring the weight back to normal values.
6. Safe and gentle physical activity for any diseases of the spine. Experts consider this factor to be one of the most key. In total, the Pilates system includes about 500 different exercises and their variations for any patient’s condition, level of physical fitness, and characteristics of diseases. For example, you can select exercises for the conservative treatment of a hernia of any part of the spine, while for this disease the types and levels of physical activity are very strictly limited.

Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

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Feedback on recovery after knee surgery

26.01.2021

I would like to express my gratitude to all the staff of the medical center for the treatment provided. I came to the center for treatment of heel spurs. The initial appointment was with Dr. Bogdanov V.Yu., who, after an examination, prescribed a course of UHT and hyvomat. I would like to express my special gratitude to the physiotherapist Tatyana Ivanovna Shmakova for her professionalism and excellent human qualities. After several procedures, the quality of life improved significantly. The pain gradually goes away. I hope it goes away forever. Thank you very much again. The medical center is very well located, not far from the metro, and has its own parking lot. The center is very cozy and equipped with modern equipment. If the need arises, I will definitely contact this institution.

read in full Olga

04.12.2020

I came to the center with back pain, the spasm would not go away. After several sessions of kinesiotherapy and massage, the spasm went away and my back felt better.

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