Which department should I visit for a lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on March 16, 2025
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Lumbar disc herniation can be treated in five different departments. First, since lumbar disc herniation is a spinal surgical disease, the primary choice is to consult the Department of Spinal Surgery. Second, lumbar disc herniation is also a common orthopedic condition, and almost all orthopedic doctors are familiar with this disease, so you can also consult the Department of Orthopedics. Third, current traditional Chinese medicine has very good conservative treatment effects for lumbar disc herniation, so you can also consult the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Fourth, lumbar disc herniation is a long-term chronic disease, and its treatment process often involves rehabilitation, so the Department of Rehabilitation can also be considered. Finally, since the main symptoms of lumbar disc herniation are pain and limited mobility, many hospitals have established pain clinics or even specialized pain departments to address the pain issues associated with lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, you can also consult the Department of Pain Management. Thus, lumbar disc herniation can be treated in these five departments, with Spinal Surgery being the primary choice.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 29sec home-news-image

How many days to administer fluids after minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation?

With the development of medical technology, currently for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, such as when conservative treatment is ineffective—including lying on a hard bed, pre-heating the waist, taking blood-activating and pain-relieving medication, or drugs that nourish the nerves—some interventional surgeries are chosen if these do not provide relief. The main ones commonly used include ozone ablation, collagenase nucleolysis, percutaneous disc removal, and foraminoscopic technology, etc., all of which carry very low risk. The most commonly used is ozone ablation, which involves instant oxidation of the degenerated protruded nucleus pulposus. This destroys the proteoglycans, thereby making the proteoglycans lose their function. The cells produce proteoglycans, reducing the osmotic pressure of the nucleus tissue, which cannot maintain normal moisture, leading to shrinkage and loss of tissue. This increases the space, thereby reducing the symptoms of nerve compression caused by disc herniation. Usually, antibiotics are used post-surgery to prevent infection, generally for about three days. After the medication is completed, considering discharge and returning home for recovery is possible, followed by oral medication. (Please use medications under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

Lumbar disc herniation is where?

Where does lumbar disc herniation occur? Let's first discuss what a lumbar disc is. A lumbar disc is a fibrous pad located between the upper and lower vertebrae, which can be understood as a joint between the two vertebrae. Its outer layer is made up of a dense fibrous ring, formed in different combinations and arrangements, with a nucleus pulposus in the middle, which primarily functions to bear pressure from various directions and disperse it. Lumbar disc herniation occurs when, for various reasons such as aging, trauma, or pathological changes, the lumbar disc protrudes. If the protrusion does not break through the fibrous ring, it is called bulging. If it compresses and causes the fibrous ring to rupture, it is called herniation. Thus, the herniation can protrude backward, upward, or forward; however, it is mostly the backward protrusion that can cause symptoms by compressing nearby tissues, such as the spinal cord, blood vessels, and nerve roots.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Is massage useful for lumbar disc herniation?

Can massage be used for lumbar disc herniation? Its clinical effects are quite good. The primary function of massage therapy is to relieve muscle spasms, then dilate blood vessels, increase local blood circulation, and promote peripheral metabolism, thereby achieving the purpose of curing diseases. It mainly uses rolling and pushing techniques, with the main acupoint being the Jiaji acupoint. Auxiliary acupoints generally include Yangguan, Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Shenshu, Weizhong, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan, among others. Additionally, it includes two board techniques. These board techniques are very effective for minor joint disorders of the lumbar spine. There are two board techniques, one is the slant board technique, and the other is the rotating tube board technique, with the slant board technique being relatively easier to perform. Generally, patients experience varying degrees of symptom relief after proper and effective massage, and many people's symptoms disappear altogether.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Where to apply moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation

If moxibustion is used to treat a lumbar disc herniation, the main acupoint is the Jiaji acupoint located on both sides of the herniated disc, along with the Jiaji acupoints immediately above and below it. For example, if you have a herniation between the 3rd and 4th lumbar discs, you should moxibust the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Jiaji acupoints, and so on. In addition to the main acupoint, there are auxiliary acupoints chosen based on the different symptoms of different patients. Generally, if there is significant back pain, the acupoint on the affected side is the Yaoyan. If there is muscle tension and tenderness in the buttocks, match with Huanjiao and Yibian. If there is muscle tension on the back of the thigh, match with Chengfu, Yinmen, and Weizhong. If there is numbness on the outer side of the thigh, match with Fengshi, and for calf numbness, match with Weiyang, Chengshan, and Yanglingquan. If there is numbness on the top of the foot, followed by weakness in the foot or toe region, match with Taixi, Jiexi, and Xiexi.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Precautions for Lumbar Disc Herniation

For patients with lumbar disc herniation, self-prevention and self-treatment are very effective methods. What should be paid attention to in daily life? The first point is to maintain a correct sitting posture, sit upright, do not lean back, and avoid sitting for long periods. It is also necessary to keep the waist warm and prevent it from getting cold. The second point is to engage in some exercises, mainly those that strengthen the muscles of the lower back, such as large swallow flight, small swallow flight, single bridge, and double bridge. The third point is that in daily life, it is important to pay attention to maintaining the correct posture when working, avoiding putting too much pressure on the lumbar spine, and not using brute force. The fourth point is that in terms of rest, it is best to sleep on a hard bed and add a small pad at the waist or a soft pillow under the knee joints. This can keep the knee and hip joints at a certain degree of flexion, allowing the muscles of the lower back to fully relax. The fifth point is to wear a waist brace under the guidance of a doctor. This waist brace is a very common orthopedic support, which functions to immobilize and protect the waist. Moreover, for patients with lumbar disc herniation, it can greatly increase the stability of the lumbar spine and consolidate the effects of previous treatments. Therefore, patients with lumbar disc herniation must pay attention to these details in daily life.