Laser therapy in cervical disc herniation

In recent decades, laser therapy has become an increasingly common and effective option in treating cervical herniated discs. This non-invasive method has captured the attention of the medical community due to its ability to reduce pain, speed up the healing process and restore normal function of the cervical spine without requiring invasive surgery.

Cervical herniated disc is a painful and debilitating medical condition that affects the upper spine. This condition occurs when the gelatinous core of an intervertebral disc herniates or moves out of its normal position, putting pressure on the nerves or spinal cord in the neck area. Pain, tingling, muscle weakness, and other symptoms associated with cervical herniated discs can have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life.

 

CONTENT:

  1. How does laser therapy work in cervical herniated disc?
  2. Does laser therapy work for a pinched nerve in the neck?
  3. Benefits of laser therapy in cervical disc herniation
  4. Conclusion

 

How does laser therapy work in cervical herniated disc?

Laser treatment for the cervical spine is a form of non-invasive therapy that uses laser light to treat various conditions of the cervical spine. This therapy targets pain, inflammation, and promotes healing in herniated cervical discs, spondylosis, neck muscle or ligament injuries, arthritis, and similar neck-related conditions.

The laser treatment procedure for the cervical spine involves the use of a concentrated and focused laser light that can be applied directly to the affected area of the cervical spine. There are two main types of laser therapy used in the treatment of the cervical spine:

Laser therapy in cervical disc herniation

 

1. Low-energy laser (LLLT)

This type of laser therapy uses laser light at low intensities to influence healing processes and reduce inflammation and pain associated with cervical herniated discs. LLLT is non-invasive and is performed by applying a match-strength laser light to the affected area. It does not cause pain or discomfort to the patient and can stimulate the healing of damaged tissues by releasing chemicals in the body that promote healing processes.

2. High Intensity Laser (HILT)

Unlike LLLT, HILT uses the laser at higher intensities to penetrate deeper into the affected tissues. this allows the stimulation of healing processes at the cellular level. The high-intensity laser reaches deeper tissue layers and precisely targets the affected area, reducing inflammation, promoting healing, and alleviating pain linked with cervical herniated discs.

Both types of cervical herniated disc laser therapy have the main goal of stimulating healing and reducing symptoms such as pain, tingling or numbness, and muscle weakness associated with nerve compression in the cervical spine.

These techniques are frequently used as part of a complex treatment plan, which may include other medical interventions depending on the severity and particularity of a case. Moreover, it is important to emphasize that laser therapy for cervical herniation must be administered under the supervision and guidance of a medical specialist to ensure that it is applied correctly and safely, adapting to the specific needs of the patient.

 

Does laser therapy work for a pinched nerve in the neck?

Laser therapy can be beneficial for relieving symptoms associated with a pinched nerve in the neck area. Additionally, a neck pinched nerve can cause intense pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms, shoulders, and neck.

Laser therapy, including Low Energy Laser (LLLT) and High Intensity Laser (HILT), reduces inflammation, eases pain, and enhances healing around the affected nerve. This non-invasive treatment applies concentrated laser light to the affected area, expediting healing and reducing discomfort.

Low energy laser (LLLT) low intensities of laser light to stimulate healing processes in affected tissues. It can be helpful in reducing inflammation and pain without causing pain or discomfort.

High Intensity Laser (HILT) penetrates deeper tissues, stimulating cellular-level healing. Also, this laser therapy effectively reduces inflammation and neck nerve pain.

Laser therapy in cervical disc herniation

 

Benefits of laser therapy in cervical disc herniation

This therapy for cervical disc herniation offers notable benefits by alleviating symptoms, accelerating healing, and enhancing cervical spine function. Here is a more detailed development of the benefits of laser therapy in cervical disc herniation:

  • Pain reduction

One of the most notable and desirable benefits of this therapy is its ability to reduce the pain. Moreover, laser therapy triggers endorphin release, easing pain in the treated area.

  • Reducing inflammation

The laser with concentrated energy can direct to the affected area, aiding in the reduction of inflammation. This is crucial in treating cervical herniated discs, as excessive inflammation can worsen nerve compression and intensify pain. Reducing inflammation facilitates healing and can lessen the unpleasant symptoms associated with a herniated disc.

  • Improving blood circulation

Laser therapy can improve blood circulation in the affected area of the cervical spine. Also, enhanced blood flow crucially aids healing by efficiently transporting nutrients and oxygen to affected tissues. This can speed up the recovery process and stimulate the regeneration of tissues affected by cervical disc herniation.

  • Faster recovery

Laser therapy boosts natural healing, expediting recovery and reinstating cervical spine function. However, the laser can influence tissue regeneration mechanisms and support the body in its natural recovery and repair process.

 

Conclusion

This therapy in cervical disc herniation is a promising therapeutic option for those affected by this condition. However, qualified medical professionals must administer it and integrate it into a comprehensive treatment plan. Prioritize consulting a doctor or specialist before commencing any cervical herniated disc therapy for tailored and effective treatment.

Herniated-Disk-causes-symptoms-and-treatment

Herniated Disc: causes, symptoms and treatment

Herniated disc is a condition that occurs when an intervertebral disc is damaged (mainly the fibrous ring – the part located at the periphery of the intervertebral disc), which allows its elastic gelatinous content (pulpal nucleus) to protrude.

A herniated disc due to contact or compression exerted on the nerves or spinal cord can cause pain, numbness and weakness in the hands or feet. Also, not all people who have a herniated disc experience these signs of a herniated disc.

CONTENT:

  1. Causes
  2. Symptoms
  3. Treatment

 

What are the causes?

Specialists believe that a herniated disc has an important genetic component, especially in patients with lumbar hernia, but most of the risk factors that favor the appearance of a herniated disc are closely related to the fast-forward lifestyle we all know:

  • smoking
  • predisposition to sedentarism, prolonged sitting
  • exaggerated physical exertion after long rest
  • lifting weights wrong
  • advancing ages
  • spinal injuries

 

These causes are amplified by: obesity, sedentary lifestyle, exposure of the spine to vibrations, birth defects. The people most prone to herniated discs are the elderly, but also those who live in extremes, they do a lot of sports, but neglect the correct posture during exercise or do not exercise at all.

 

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms depend on the position and size of the herniated disc and the presence or absence of nerve compression:

  • does not put pressure on a nerve: it may not cause pain
  • puts pressure on a nerve: pain, numbness or weakness in the area through which the nerve passes

 

Symptoms of lumbar disc herniation:

  • foot pain (sciatica)
  • pain in the lumbar region and / or pain in the gluteal region
  • in extremely severe cases there is a loss of sphincter control manifested by urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence
  • it usually appears on one leg only
  • sudden or graduated onset
  • it can be constant or intermittent
  • accompanied by numbness, tingling, weakness
  • may exacerbate sneezing, coughing, or defecation
  • it can get worse due to sitting, prolonged bipedal position or twists
  • improves during walking, lying down or other positions that relax the spine and reduce the pressure on the herniated disc

 

What is the treatment?

Fortunately, doctors rarely recommend surgery for a herniated disc. Detected in time, the condition can be cured by administering drugs and various methods of therapy.

A. Physical therapy

A personalized exercise program will be followed by the patient, and the results will be closely monitored by the doctor. Also, the program aims to reduce the pressure that the herniated disc exerts on the nerve.

Exercise helps the patient to tone the back muscles, which can gradually lead to stabilization of the spine and the disappearance of pain.

B. Physiotherapy

If the physiotherapy does not bring the desired results, the patient can be recommended physiotherapy sessions, accompanied by rest periods, but also the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics.

Physiotherapy can be performed by:

  • electrotherapy
  • hydrotherapy
  • balneotherapy

 

This method is very effective in relieving pain caused by a hernia and relaxing the muscles in the affected area.

C. Alternative treatment methods

There are also many methods considered alternatives that can relieve the pain caused by a herniated disc. These include:

  • massage – performed therapeutically, massage soothes pain, improves blood circulation and helps the secretion of synovial fluid (very important for joint restoration);
  • chiropractic – alternative therapy through which the joints are corrected manually by chiropractors; the same vertebral decompression is followed as in the case of elongation;
  • acupuncture – a component of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture can reduce inflammation and relax the muscles in the affected area;
  • yoga – the ancient practices of the Indians can relieve back pain through light exercise, breathing exercises and meditation.

 

Even if these methods do not involve any danger, it is advisable to talk to your doctor to determine if they can bring you any real benefit.

D. Surgical treatment
Even if they are recommended only in more severe cases, there are certain surgeries through which the herniated disc can be cured.

Disectomy involves the surgical removal of the herniated disc. Unfortunately, this method leaves a free space between the vertebrae, which, in the future, can cause other discs to move. Also, an alternative to dysectomy is microdisectomy, which involves removing only parts of the herniated disc.

Following the dysectomy, the patient remains hospitalized for several days, and recovery can take several weeks. A second alternative to this procedure is chemonucleolysis. This is done by injecting an enzyme into the herniated disc, in order to dissolve the nucleus pulposus.