Everyone has discs that sit between the vertebrae in their spine. These discs have a jelly-like center called a nucleus that is encased in a rubbery surrounding called an annulus. Age or injury can cause the nucleus to tear through the annulus resulting in a herniated disk.
A herniated disk can cause pain throughout the body, but it is treatable. Various exercises, rest, and massage therapy can facilitate healing. Read on to find out more about the condition and how massage can help.
What Causes a Herniated Disk?
The annulus tends to wear down with age. The following factors increase the risk of a herniated disc:
- Being overweight
- Sitting for long periods
- Lifting heavy objects
- Engaging in repetitive motions due to work or hobbies
- Smoking
What are the Symptoms of a Herniated Disk?
- Arm or Leg Pain: People with herniated disks in their lower back will feel pain in the buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet.
- Shoulder Pain: If you have a herniated disk in your neck, you may experience sharp or burning pain in your shoulders and arms.
- Numbness or Tingling: Numbness and tingling may occur due to the affected nerves.
- Weakness: The muscles served by the affected nerves may weaken and diminish your ability to lift and hold items.
How Does Massage Treat Herniated Disks?
Massage therapy is beneficial to herniated disks because it relaxes muscles that tense up and contribute to back pain and neck pain. It promotes circulation in the area to facilitate healing. It lengthens the muscle tissue to stabilize the herniation and encourages the disk to move back into place.
Myofascial massage is a recommended treatment for herniated disks. It involves applying sustained pressure to the muscle tissue to release tension. It loosens tight areas to reduce pain and improve range of motion.
Other Treatments for Herniated Disks
Massage is an ideal treatment for herniated disks. It can be combined with other therapies to produce optimal results. Here are some treatment suggestions:
- Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can guide you through exercises that work with massage to loosen muscles, promote circulation, and increase range of motion. They will also help you avoid reinjury.
- Medication: Anti-inflammatory medications can help with pain and inflammation. Your doctor may prescribe medication, or you can take an OTC.
- Spinal Injections: Steroid medication may be injected into your spine to reduce inflammation in the nerve and promote healing.
- Surgery: In rare cases, a herniated disk may injure nerves leading to the bladder or bowel and make surgery necessary. Surgery may also be recommended when other treatments are ineffective.
Massage Revolution Offers Herniated Disk Relief
Massage Revolution is a top provider of back pain and neck pain relief. We offer various massage and physical therapies that can facilitate recovery from a herniated disk. Our best massage guarantee ensures you will be happy with our services.
Contact us for optimal massage in Los Angeles services.
Massage Revolution’s Back & Neck Relief Center located in Manhattan Beach is the biggest trigger point therapy clinic in Los Angeles and the world.
Member savings plans are available. PPO insurance is also accepted.
