Lumbar Disc Herniation (LDH) is a condition where the prolapse of the contents of a lumbar disc compromises a spinal nerve, resulting in localized and radiation pain in one or both legs. The herniation is often the culmination of long-term postural issues combined with an acute injury.
In Chinese Medicine, there might not be a long-term postural issue but a lack of nourishment to the bones and sinews due to deficiency of kidneys. Kidneys get progressively deficient during the time until a trauma (knocks, falls, wrenching or contusion) happens causing a considered permanent injury with pain. It can also happen without trauma: cold on your lower body.
It is usually related to debility in old age however it can happen at any age. Over work, any chronic conditions at young ages or even sexual taxation debilitates your body causing deficiency.
How can we fix it? Can it get retrieved back to normal?
There is a common option of surgery however there is no guarantee of success: the disc might get back to the right position but pain may remain forever. Still, if there is constitutional deficiency in your body, it can happen again.
In Chinese Medicine, there is a process starting by treating the blockage in the area first with acupuncture, so blood starts flowing normal. Once there is a 80% of pain relief, it is time to treat the deficiency by strengthening up your bones, sinews and muscles. As stronger your lumbar muscles are, less pressure over the hernia hence less pain.
Photo by Joyce McCown
