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The only way to cure herniated discs is through surgery, which removes the part of the intravertebral disc that is being pressed. However, in most cases, the treatment of herniated discs does not even include surgery, since it is almost always possible to relieve pain and inflammation with only physical therapy sessions.
This means that, although the person may continue to have a herniated disc, they will stop experiencing pain and there is also no risk of any other complications. Therefore, physiotherapy is the type of treatment most used in cases of herniated discs, because it relieves symptoms and does not have the risks that are normally associated with surgery, such as hemorrhage or infection, for example.
Understand better in this video how the treatment of herniated disc works:
How is physiotherapy done
Physical therapy for herniated discs varies according to the symptoms and limitations of each person. Initially, it is necessary to treat pain, inflammation and local discomfort, and to achieve this goal, several passive physiotherapy sessions may be necessary, with the help of devices and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor.
When these symptoms are eliminated, the person can already perform another type of more intense physiotherapy and associate sessions of osteopathy and techniques of global postural re-education (RPG), pilates or hydrotherapy, as a way to keep the intervertebral disc in place, which has demonstrated good results in reducing symptoms.
Physiotherapy sessions should be carried out, preferably, 5 days a week, with rest on weekends. The total time of treatment varies from one person to another, because, while in some cases it is possible to relieve symptoms within 1 month of treatment, others require more sessions, depending on the severity of the injury.
See more details of the physical therapy treatment for herniated disc.
When surgery is recommended
Surgery to treat herniated discs is usually only indicated for very severe cases, in which the involvement of the intervertebral disc is very large, to the point of treatment, with the use of drugs and physiotherapy not being sufficient to relieve symptoms.
This surgery is performed by the orthopedist or neurosurgeon, under general anesthesia, in a procedure that removes the affected intervertebral disc. This procedure can also be done by laparoscopy, in which a thin tube is inserted into the skin with a camera at the tip.
The hospitalization time is fast, usually 1 to 2 days, but it is necessary to take a rest of about 1 week at home, and the use of a necklace or waistcoat to maintain the posture during this period may be indicated. The most intense activities, such as physical exercises, are released after 1 month of surgery.
See how the surgery is done, how is the recovery and what are the risks.