What sleeping position should be used for lumbar disc herniation?

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on October 22, 2024
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If the patient simply presents primarily with symptoms of back pain, it is advisable to lie on the back and sleep on a firm mattress. It is best to wear a lumbar support belt to protect the lumbar spine. If the patient's lumbar disc herniation is quite severe, causing sciatic nerve pain, it is better to sleep in a lateral position during sleep. When lying on the side, actively flexing the knees and hips can reduce the traction on the sciatic nerve, thereby effectively alleviating the patient's leg pain symptoms. Additionally, for patients with disc herniation, it is necessary to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, avoid excessive bending to lift heavy objects, and avoid lifting heavy items. Actively cooperating with acupuncture, electric therapy, cupping, traction, massage, and other physical therapy methods can further improve the patient’s clinical symptoms.

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Written by Guan Yu Hua
Orthopedic Surgery
1min 26sec home-news-image

How long does conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation take?

The main issue in lumbar disc herniation is that the nucleus pulposus ruptures through the annulus fibrosus, causing compression of the nerve roots. These nerve roots at lumbar 4 and sacral 3 form the sciatic nerve, leading to numbness and pain on the posterolateral side of the thigh and the dorsum of the foot. This is a distinctive manifestation of lumbar disc herniation, most commonly seen at the L4-5 and L5-S1 intervertebral spaces, accounting for over 95% of cases in outpatient settings. Conservative treatment primarily involves strict bed rest, local application of heat, sleeping on a firm mattress, pre-warming the lower back, and taking medications to promote blood circulation, relieve pain, and nourish nerves. Generally, symptoms will gradually abate and disappear within approximately 10 to 14 days, with noticeable symptom reduction after about 7 days. For cases where conservative treatment is ineffective and symptoms recur, interventional surgery such as ozone nucleolysis can be sought. Ozone therapy can help reduce the pressure on the intervertebral discs, increase their volume, and relieve nerve compression. Surgical trauma is relatively minor, the procedure is currently well-practiced, and the side effects are relatively low. It may be worthwhile to consult a local hospital for more information.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Can people with lumbar disc herniation have sexual intercourse?

Appropriate and occasional sexual activity is permissible. During the acute phase of lumbar disc herniation, it is strictly prohibited to engage in excessive physical activities, including sexual activity, as it may trigger or exacerbate symptoms such as increased herniation, nerve compression, and resultant numbness or painful sensations in the lower limbs. However, during the chronic phase of disc herniation, after systematic treatment and significant symptom improvement, sexual activity can be resumed appropriately and occasionally, such as once every two to three weeks, or adjusted according to different age groups to a normal frequency. Additionally, it is important to avoid excessive bending and heavy lifting to prevent worsening the pain and discomfort associated with lumbar disc herniation.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Can a lumbar disc herniation heal by itself?

Lumbar disc herniation cannot heal on its own. The protrusion of the disc is due to degeneration of the nucleus pulposus, which herniates through a ruptured annulus fibrosus, compressing the nerves behind it and causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness when walking. In the early stages or upon the first occurrence of lumbar disc herniation, symptoms can be alleviated through conservative treatment, such as strengthening the muscles in the lower back, appropriately applying traction, and wearing a lumbar support to reduce symptoms and prevent the herniated disc from further compressing the nerves. If the herniation is severe and it is not the first occurrence of this condition, surgical treatment is recommended. Therefore, lumbar disc herniation cannot heal on its own.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What sleeping position should be used for lumbar disc herniation?

If the patient simply presents primarily with symptoms of back pain, it is advisable to lie on the back and sleep on a firm mattress. It is best to wear a lumbar support belt to protect the lumbar spine. If the patient's lumbar disc herniation is quite severe, causing sciatic nerve pain, it is better to sleep in a lateral position during sleep. When lying on the side, actively flexing the knees and hips can reduce the traction on the sciatic nerve, thereby effectively alleviating the patient's leg pain symptoms. Additionally, for patients with disc herniation, it is necessary to avoid prolonged sitting or standing, avoid excessive bending to lift heavy objects, and avoid lifting heavy items. Actively cooperating with acupuncture, electric therapy, cupping, traction, massage, and other physical therapy methods can further improve the patient’s clinical symptoms.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 26sec home-news-image

Is there a cure for lumbar disc herniation?

Lumbar disc herniation is treatable, and the results after treatment are very good. The treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation mainly depend on the direction and degree of the herniation as well as the symptoms it causes. Generally, it is divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatment is the first approach, which initially includes general treatment. That is to say, after experiencing symptoms of a lumbar disc herniation, you must first rest in bed and then make sure to sleep on a flat bed and appropriately strengthen the muscles of the lower back. The second approach is traditional Chinese medicine, the third is traction and massage therapy, the fourth is physical therapy, and the fifth is rehabilitation therapy. If the treatment is not effective, or other surgical indications appear, such as urinary and fecal incontinence or spinal cord type nerve damage combined with spinal stenosis, then surgical treatment is needed. Surgical treatments generally include conventional surgery and minimally invasive surgery, with the latter being more commonly used nowadays. Other treatments include disc sealing, sacral therapy, small needle knife therapy, and nucleus pulposus injection with ozone, among others. Overall, not only is lumbar disc herniation treatable, but there are also many treatment methods. However, as to which treatment method is suitable for you, you must go to the hospital and consult a doctor to decide.