Massage techniques for spinal hernia

Spinal hernia is a chronic incurable disease in which the protrusion of the intervertebral disc outside the spinal column occurs. Such a pathology rarely appears in the absence of other disorders, and in 80% of cases follows such a degenerative-dystrophic disease as osteochondrosis. Treatment for hernias of the spine is complex, and in addition to standard medical measures, it includes additional procedures, including therapeutic massage.

Massaging movements activate blood flow to the pathological focus, at the same time, muscle relaxation occurs, stiffness and pain go away.

Considering that pathologies of the spine affect the activity of internal organs, and any damage can cause paralysis, you should understand whether it is possible to massage with an intervertebral hernia, what are the contraindications and rules for conducting.

Treatment of vertebral hernias is never limited to any one method, because with this pathology a number of degenerative, dystrophic and inflammatory processes occur. Massage for vertebral hernia, like all other methods, has contraindications, therefore, before starting the course, the masseur prescribes a number of studies to exclude serious conditions.

It is better to do a back massage when the disc protrudes in specialized clinics where professionals work, but at home this will be a good prevention of diseases of the spinal column at the stage of osteochondrosis, when the integrity of the disc has not yet been violated.

Massage for disc herniation

Treatment of a hernia of the spine can be carried out without massage, but in combination with manual therapy, physiotherapy, traction of the spinal column, it will become an effective option for increasing the space between the vertebrae, which will relieve neurological symptoms in a relatively short time and without harm. With a hernia of the intervertebral disc of the lumbar spine, vertebrologists recommend hydromassage in combination with regular exercise under water.

Back massage for spinal hernia is not considered as an independent treatment option, but is prescribed only in combination with other treatment methods. It can be manual therapy, acupuncture, mud baths, traction.

For the prevention of hernia at the stage of protrusion, honey massage is recommended.

Honey helps to eliminate toxic substances that accumulate in the pathological focus. Thai massage is prescribed before and after surgery for the purpose of general relaxation. It is also useful for improving the functioning of the nervous system, relieving stress, accelerating the removal of toxins from the body. General Thai massage has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, helping to smooth out scars, which will be useful in the late period of rehabilitation after removal of a herniated disc.

Before choosing a treatment strategy, the patient undergoes a study of the spine.

X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging are most often prescribed. On MRI images, you can see the pathological focus in the smallest detail: a damaged disc, nerve fibers, blood vessels, spinal roots. On x-rays, a specialist can only see the location of the hernia and assess the condition of nearby tissues.

Only by evaluating the results of X-ray and laboratory diagnostics, the attending physician will be able to recommend individual techniques, and tell you how often you can do back massage during the treatment of intervertebral hernias. To prevent damage to the spinal cord, it is important to exclude the presence of sequesters in the spinal canal. Sequestration is also well defined on MRI and CT scans. Massage for vertebral hernia should be soft, not injure soft tissues and not include sudden impulse movements.

Therapeutic massage for a hernia of the spine is by no means carried out during an exacerbation of the disease. When a pronounced pain syndrome and inflammation are disturbed, there is every chance to aggravate the patient's condition with massage movements.

Types of massage for hernia

In case of uncomplicated hernia without indications for surgical treatment, a classic massage of the diseased department is prescribed. It can also be recommended as a preparatory step before other procedures: vertebral reduction, spinal traction, manual therapy.

With disc pathology, the following techniques are shown :

• Thai;
• point;
• can;
• segmental reflex.

The classic is recommended to activate blood and lymph flow. Massage movements help restore normal blood circulation in the damaged back by stimulating receptors. Thus, the classical technique reduces the severity of pain, restores normal tissue nutrition and eliminates swelling.

Doing such a massage with an intervertebral hernia is contraindicated in the acute period of the disease and during exacerbation.

Hydromassage is well suited as an adjunct therapy for hernia in the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. A directed jet of water allows you to achieve several effects at the same time: reduce pain, remove tissue swelling, restore disk nutrition, relieve muscle tension, and normalize lymph flow.

Vacuum massage is indicated for better removal of toxic substances from the body through the skin through the sweat and sebaceous glands. This technique is recommended in violation of local blood flow and in order to improve the nutrition of diseased tissues.

Honey massage is recommended in courses of 5-10 sessions for any pathology of the spinal column.

Honey helps eliminate tissue edema, improves skin condition, cleanses pores. This technique can be an additional measure during the recovery period of the body after surgery.

About general execution rules:

• The course of therapeutic massage begins with a comprehensive examination of the body;
• acute pain syndrome and pathologies of internal organs will be contraindications;
• any power manipulations and sudden movements are prohibited;
• if discomfort occurs, the session should be interrupted until the state of health improves;
• massage oils and various powders are not used during the session;
• you can not massage the patient's back on your own.

Contraindications

It is not always permissible to do massage in case of pathology of the intervertebral disc. An absolute contraindication will be pinching and inflammation of the nerve root, which is manifested by severe pain. Persistent pain syndrome will be a relative limitation, but if you massage your back with a certain intensity, this symptom can be eliminated.

When you can not do massage with a herniated disc:

• hematomas, wounds on the skin;
• early period after spinal surgery;
• infectious diseases in the acute stage;
• inflammatory pathologies of the skin and internal organs;
• recent stroke;
• malignant neoplasms in the back.

Ignoring contraindications can cause displacement of the vertebra, compression fracture, complications of hernia, sequestration. All these conditions pose a threat to life, therefore the choice of massage technique for hernia is a responsible decision and requires the experience of a doctor.