There are an extensive number of elite
athletes, amateur sports players and general population who have or suspect
to have a herniated disc. In this
article it will cover all the important matters about spine pain disc compression
in various sports environments, and
how Manual physical therapy
approach can benefit.
WHAT IS THE TRIGGER TO A HERNIATED
DISC?
A
herniated disc is a disease in which part of the intervertebral disc goes over
towards the root of the nerve and squeezes it. Usually due to wear, this can
occur throughout on the spine, and can irritate any nearby nerve. Depending on
the location of the herniated disc, it can cause weakness in a leg or arm,
neurological deficit, numbness, pain, disability and intense discomfort. Gibson
JA et la (2007) stated that “Lumbar disc
prolapse (herniated disc / herniated
disc) accounts for less than 5% of lower
back problems, but is the most common cause of nerve root inflammation pain
(sciatica).
A comparative point of view between a normal disc anatomy structure and
a herniated disc.

In most cases, this pain resolves with conservative treatment without surgery. However, approximately 10%
of them will require surgical intervention for their treatment.
“The highest incidence rate of grown-up patients with herniated disc is
up to thirty – fifty years, and a derivation of the herniated disc is lumbar herniation which is the most common reason
for radiculopathies reaching a
figure of up to 90%” Stated by Mohammad Reza Pourahmadi et la (2016).
HOW OFTEN DO ATHLETES GET A HERNIATED DISC CONDITION?
In the literature, football
injuries predominantly affect the ankle,
knee, thigh and calf muscles. The most common types of injuries are strains, sprains, and contusions.
Although
the prevalence of disc herniated condition in footballers is not that high
comparing other injuries / performance
deficits / pain and ailment sources amongst high impact sports. The published statistics of low back pain in athletes range from 1%
to 30% and are influenced by the type of sport, gender, intensity and frequency
of training, and technique.

Back problems / injuries can also occur predominantly in the lumbar spine, which decrease or limit
the quality of life of the athlete.
“Professional Football Players of
National Football league USA (NFL), specifically defensive and offensive
ones are highly prone to suffer herniated disc located in the lumbar area”
Kunal Shah (2018).
“A herniated disc confirmed via
MRI study displayed that the occurrence of this condition amongst pro beach
volleyball players is 76 percent” Research made and released by Fabrice A. Kulling
et la (2014)

If the herniation is voluminous and compresses all the nerves it
encounters, it can cause what is called a cauda equina or cauda equina syndrome, which is a surgical emergency. Assessment & diagnosis from a professional certified clinician / sports physiotherapist with high expertise and experience is compulsory in order to assess the
herniated disc and obtain the follow-up steps to treat it in an early onset,
the sooner the better!
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS PRODUCED BY
HERNIATED DISCS, DEPENDING ON ITS ANATOMICAL LOCATION?
Depending on the level at which the hernia is, it determines where
herniated discs will be causing affectations. There are some hernias that have
contact with the sciatic nerve
causing pain on the outer side of the
leg or pain in the hip.
Some lumbar hernias cause pain in the legs. Sometimes the
problems go beyond pain, and a loss of
sensation or tingling may appear and in more severe cases, paralysis in the foot or knee.
Akshay Gadia et la (2018) pointed out on their study findings that “LDH presented in elite sports athletes obtains an outstanding clinical result
following whether non-surgical management or operatively process, regardless the
sports which the elite athlete performs”
On the other hand, if the hernias are cervical the symptoms will show up as cervicalgia (pain in the upper extremities), from the arm to the fingers, tingling, pricking, loss of sensitivity or
paralysis in either the upper limbs.
DOES THE HERNIATED DISC ACTUALLY WEAR
OFF ON ITS OWN?
The appearance of these herniated
discs is usually associated with physical
effort, and it is essential to be conscious of that although this
information may seem alarming but you have to know that the vast majority of herniated discs symptoms vanish on
their own for a while but it doesn’t mean that the condition is healed, on the
other hand more than 80% of herniated
discs heal without surgery.
“Around 30% of every elite athlete has experienced pain/ailments in the lower back during their pro sports
career at least once” Abhay Nene et la (2018).
MY SPORTS INJURY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC IN MANCHESTER CITY provides an
advanced physiotherapy set
guidelines specially designed for back problems.
The most important thing, even if it is physiotherapy, is to have a precise diagnosis and based on this
fact. Then we know whether or not physiotherapy
management is going to be appropriate for the patient in order to provide an optimal treatment approach.
HOW CAN WE AVOID FROM HAVING A DISC
HERNIATION?
- Do exercises, strengthening the trunk muscles stabilises and supports the spine.
- Maintain good posture, this reduces pressure on
the spine and discs. Keep your back straight, primarily when you are sitting
for extensive periods.
- Maintain a healthy weight; over-weight puts more
pressure on the spine and discs, making them more susceptible to herniation.
WHAT ARE TREATMENT OPTIONS INDICATED
TO DISC HERNIATION?
Above all a conservative
treatment modifies routines to dodge movement that produces pain and stop
from taking pain medication. It can reduce symptoms in most people within weeks
or a few days.
“Overall, the conservative
approach of herniated disc condition management in elite athletes possesses
an extraordinary rate of success having up to 90% and more” Affirmed by Kunal
Shah, Akshay Gadia and Abhay Nene (2018).

- Ice and
heat therapy to lighten pain.
·
- Physical Therapy it helps to reduce the pressure laid on the nerve, physical therapists can show positions
and exercises designed to minimise the pain of a herniated disc.
- Exercises
and very slight stretching.
- NSAID
medicine administration.
-
Epidural
injections.
- Deep tissue
massages.
- Surgery is
required in severe cases (microdiscectomy
or lumbar fusion).
- Manipulation
such as chiropractic.
Serafin Leemann et la (2014) made
a study of 148 individuals’ lumbar
herniated disc confirmed via MRI producing back and sciatic nerve pain “79
of them were dealing with chronic LHD with an average duration longer than three months and the rest of them
(37 patients) had this condition for less than 4 weeks duration at the
beginning of the investigation, all the patients were being treated with chiropractic adjustments and customised care. 70% of the
participants were having meaningful progress as regard as inability and pain
after two weeks of non-operative treatment, later on three months 90% they were
presenting sizeable amelioration.”

WHAT SPINAL MANIPULATION CONSISTS? – CAN IT TRULY HELP TO THE PATIENTS
TO RELIEVE THE PAIN?
The prime aim of this particular procedure, also called as spinal manipulation, is to improve and increase spinal movement and enhance physical function.
“You can improve the symptoms of functional disability and pain
considerably from the herniated disc
duly confirmed by the study of magnetic
resonance by passing the five sessions of lumbar manipulation technique” Fahimeh Kamali et la (2018).
HOW A HVLA MANIPULATION BENEFITS ME TO
EASE DISC COMPRESSION PAIN?
You might have found that high
velocity and short amplitude manipulation techniques (HVLA) and mobilization techniques described by chiropractors, osteopaths and manual
therapists, with the intention of generating a general effect in all
tissues through the vascular system
and the nervous system providing to
the patients:
- Bone
articulation improvement.
- Disc
pressure reduction.
- Recovery of
mobility.
- Reduction
of pain and disability.
“HVLA techniques have more scientific evidence supporting their
effectiveness, both applied to the dorsal
and cervical regions, although they are associated with rare neurovascular risks. The mobilizations
are also effective for this purpose. Both manipulations cervical - back/dorsal and mobilizations achieve analgesia,
and improve mobility of the cervical spine and patient gratification, as well
as their disability in the short, medium and long term, compared to the use of
medications. Manipulation has a
greater effect, at least in the short term, on neck pain” Gogorza Arroitaonandia Kristobal et la (2013).
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