Is hot compress useful for lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Chen Hui
Orthopedic Surgery
Updated on May 25, 2025
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Herniated lumbar discs causing back pain have very limited benefits from heat application during the acute phase, and in some cases, it may even exacerbate pain symptoms. Therefore, it is not recommended to apply heat early on. For the acute phase of a lumbar disc herniation, the first approach is to wear a lumbar support to stabilize and reduce the load on the lumbar spine. The second approach is to sleep on a firm mattress. The third is to undergo relevant imaging studies, such as CT or MRI, to determine the type of herniation. If it is a mild protrusion, physical therapies such as massage, manual therapy, or spinal traction can be considered for treatment.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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What is lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is a condition caused by the rupture of the fibrous ring of the intervertebral disc, protrusion of the central nucleus pulposus, which compresses the nerve roots or the spinal cord, resulting in a series of symptoms. For example, it can cause pain in the lower limbs and instability in the lumbar spine, leading to pain in the waist, as well as pain in the waist when walking or standing, and even sensations of numbness and tingling in the lower limbs. In severe cases, it can cause symptoms affecting urination and defecation.

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

Where to apply moxibustion for lumbar disc herniation. The main acupoint is the Hua Tuo Jia Ji acupoint at the affected intervertebral disc, along with the adjacent Jia Ji acupoints above and below. Additional acupoints are chosen based on different conditions. If there is significant lower back pain, add the acupoint at the affected side's Yaoyan. If there is muscle tension and tenderness in the buttocks, add Huan Tiao and Yi Bian. If there is tension in the hamstring muscles, add Cheng Fu, Yin Men, and Wei Zhong. If there is numbness on the outer side of the thigh, add Feng Shi; if there is numbness in the lower leg, add Wei Yang, Cheng Shan, Yang Ling Quan, Zu San Li, and Xuan Zhong. If there is numbness in the foot and weakness in dorsiflexion, add Tai Xi, Jie Xi, and Xia Xi.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What should be noted about traction for lumbar disc herniation?

The main points are reflected in the following two aspects: First, during traction, it is essential to pay attention to the force and duration of the traction. Second, it is best to undergo traction at the acupuncture and massage department of a formal hospital. Formal hospitals are more professional, have a better grasp of indications, and the effects should be more satisfactory. You must not undergo traction in outside massage parlors. Sometimes, excessive force or prolonged duration can cause lumbar spine injuries in patients. For patients with lumbar disc herniation, besides traction, combining acupuncture, massage, electrical therapy, and cupping can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of lumbar disc herniation.

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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 Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
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Can lumbar disc herniation be treated with an injection block?

Lumbar disc herniation can be treated with an injection, which mainly uses caudal epidural steroid injections. This approach has a certain therapeutic effect but is limited. For example, it may relieve the patient's pain for about a week, after which symptoms may gradually reappear. I believe that this treatment method is more about addressing the symptoms rather than the root cause. For ineffective conservative treatments, such as resting on a hard bed, applying local heat, minimizing prolonged sitting, and lying down as much as possible except for going to the toilet or eating, symptoms will generally gradually alleviate over about 10-14 days. This can be combined with drugs that promote blood circulation and relieve pain, and drugs that nourish the nerves, as well as some diuretic drugs to relieve the pressure on the intervertebral discs. This can alleviate the stimulation of the nerve roots by the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs, affecting nerves from L4 to S3, which may cause numbness and pain in the back of the thighs, the dorsum of the calves, or feet. The symptoms vary depending on the stage of compression but the difference isn't significantly large. For cases where conservative treatment or injections are ineffective, we can consider interventional surgeries like ozone nucleolysis, which are currently performed skillfully with minimal damage and quick recovery. You can consult a hospital for more information.