Lumbar disc herniation, as a common spinal disorder, often causes low back pain and possible nerve compression symptoms, affecting quality of life.

Today, regarding treatment for lumbar disc herniation, Deputy Chief Physician Yang Junsong of Xi'an Red Cross Hospital has three maxims to share with you. They can help you choose the correct treatment approach and are worth remembering and following.

First maxim: If it can be managed conservatively, do not perform surgery

For 80% to 90% of patients with lumbar disc herniation, low back pain is the primary symptom, while signs of nerve impairment are relatively mild. This means that in most cases, conservative treatment is the preferred strategy. Conservative treatment includes bed rest, physical therapy, functional exercises, massage, acupuncture, and appropriate pharmacotherapy, aiming to relieve pain, promote local blood circulation, and restore spinal function.

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Although surgery can effectively address some severe or complex cases, it is, after all, a traumatic intervention with inherent risks, and postoperative recovery requires time. Therefore, when the condition permits, prioritizing conservative treatment is a wise choice.

Second maxim: If you can exercise, do not take medication

Medication does have a role in relieving acute pain from lumbar disc herniation, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can effectively reduce inflammation and pain. However, in the long term, overreliance on medication may not be the best strategy.

On one hand, long-term or improper use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may interfere with the body's own repair mechanisms, such as impeding the resorption process of the nucleus pulposus, which is not conducive to the natural recovery of the disease.

On the other hand, moderate exercise can not only strengthen the muscles of the lower back, improving spinal stability, but also promote local blood circulation and accelerate the resolution of inflammation. Therefore, within tolerable pain limits, strengthening the lumbar muscles through exercise is an effective way to reduce dependence on medication and promote recovery.

Third maxim: rest is the most effective treatment

The fundamental cause of lumbar disc herniation is excessive load on the spine; long-term poor posture and overexertion are common precipitating factors. Therefore, rest — that is, appropriate rest and reduction of lumbar load — is an indispensable component of treatment for lumbar disc herniation.

By measures such as bed rest when necessary, avoiding prolonged sitting or standing, and reducing bending movements, the pressure on the lumbar intervertebral discs can be effectively reduced, providing time and space for the injured disc to repair. Of course, rest does not mean total immobility; it involves engaging in appropriate activity under professional guidance, maintaining moderate physical activity while avoiding movements that worsen the condition.

"If it can be managed conservatively, don't have surgery."

"If you can exercise, don't take medication,"

"Rest is the most effective treatment."

Did you remember the three maxims Dr. Yang shared?

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