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‍What is herniated disc in the low back?

A herniated disc in the lumbar region, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, happens when the soft inner part of a disc in your lower back pushes through the tough outer layer. Think of a disc like a jelly-filled donut, where the jelly can squeeze out if the outer part is damaged. This can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause discomfort. The symptoms of a herniated disc vary based on where the displaced disc puts pressure on the nerves. This can result in pain and numbness not only in the lower back but also in the legs and buttocks. If left unattended, it may lead to a decline in leg muscle strength, and in severe cases, it could lead to lower body paralysis.

What causes herniated disc in the low back?

The causes of a herniated disc in the low back are often linked to wear and tear over time. As we age, our discs lose some water content, making them less flexible and more prone to tearing. Activities like lifting heavy objects using your back muscles instead of your legs, or sudden twisting motions, can increase the risk of a disc herniation.

Things that our lumbar discs dislike:

• Sitting for a long time with crossed legs
• Repeatedly leaning backward in a chair
• Using the back muscles to lift heavy objects
• Excess body weight

Common Herniated Lumbar Disc Symptoms:

• Severe low back pain
• Pain, numbness, or tingling that can radiate down to a hip or one leg
• Weakness, pain, or tingling in the leg or foot
• Pain that gets worse when sitting, standing, or during certain movements
• Difficult to lie down in a straight position

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If you notice these symptoms, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and guidance.

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Evidence-Based Medicine for Low Back Pain and Lumbar Disc Herniation:

Research papers are revealing the effectiveness of acupuncture in addressing these symptoms.

In a meta-analysis encompassing 30 research trials with 3503participants, acupuncture emerged as more effective for low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation compared to alternative treatments. The analysis demonstrated a higher success rate for acupuncture over lumbar traction, as well as conventional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, diclofenac sodium, and meloxicam [1]. These findings suggest that acupuncture could be a beneficial choice for patients experiencing low backpain due to lumbar disc herniation.

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Curious about more conditions we can help with related to Pain Management? Explore how we support Pain Management issues.

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Reference:

[1] Tang S, Mo Z, Zhang R. Acupuncture for Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acupuncture in Medicine. 2018;36(2):62-70.doi:10.1136/acupmed-2016-011332

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Disclaimer:

This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Whenever possible, it is advised to seek professional care from a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical treatment.

Menopause and Vasomotor symptoms:

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman's life when she stops having periods. It is diagnosed after you have 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period [1]. Menopause usually happens around the age of 50, but the exact timing can vary. During menopause, the body goes through hormonal changes, and this transition can bring about various symptoms including physical and emotional symptoms.

Among menopause symptoms, vasomotor symptoms are commonly called hot flashes and night sweats, which are a form of temperature dysfunction due to changes in hormones [2].

Why vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats) occur?

Usually, our body temperature stays in a certain range, changing a bit every day as part of our daily rhythms. Our body has processes to keep us warm or cool, and it's crucial to keep our temperature just right for our organs to work well. Such regulation of body temperature can be disturbed by fluctuations in hormone levels and decline in estrogen level during the menopausal transition and postmenopausal periods [2].

Such hormonal changes may cause exaggerated heat-loss responses, leading to something called vasomotor symptoms. When there is a miscommunication between our body and brain, our brain misunderstands that our body contains excess heat and induces extreme vasodilation to dissipate this “false” heat [2]. Reddish skin coloration during hot flashes is the result of vasodilation and sweating is the way our body loses heat. This process may explain why a cold chill often follows a hot flash.

Evidence-Based Medicine for Menopausal Hot Flashes and Night Sweats:

Numerous studies have demonstrated that acupuncture has the potential to increase estrogen and other hormones, including progesterone and prolactin[3]. This suggests that acupuncture may assist in managing menopausal symptoms arising from hormonal changes.

For instance, in a clinical trial assessing both short and long-term effects of acupuncture, participants receiving up to 20 acupuncture treatments over a 6-month period experienced a significant reduction in the frequency of vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats [4]. Furthermore, the beneficial effects persisted, with a maintained reduction in symptoms even over another 6-month period after discontinuing acupuncture treatments [4].

For women seeking alternatives to estrogen or hormone therapy, acupuncture could be another promising treatment option.

Looking for help with other Women’s Health concerns? Discover our comprehensive care for Women’s Health.

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References:

[1] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023, May 25).Menopause. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/symptoms-causes/syc-20353397

[2] Deecher, D. C., & Dorries, K. (2007). Understanding the pathophysiology of vasomotor symptoms (hot flushes and night sweats) that occur in perimenopause, menopause, and post menopause life stages. Archives of women's mental health, 10(6), 247–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-007-0209-5

[3] Ko, J. H., & Kim, S. N. (2018). A Literature Review of Women's Sex Hormone Changes by Acupuncture Treatment: Analysis of Human and Animal Studies. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2018, 3752723. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/3752723

[4] Avis, N. E., Coeytaux, R. R., Isom, S., Prevette, K., & Morgan,T. (2016). Acupuncture in Menopause (AIM) study: a pragmatic, randomizedcontrolled trial. Menopause (New York, N.Y.), 23(6), 626–637.https://doi.org/10.1097/GME.0000000000000597

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Disclaimer:

This website and its contents are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Whenever possible, it is advised to seek professional care from a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical treatment.