PROLAPSED INTERVERTEBRAL DISK
Ultimately, after many backache attacks, with pain down the back of the leg, people who have a prolapsed intervertebral disk (also known as a herniated disk) may need to have the disk removed. It causes pain by pressing on nerve roots in the spine. The removal can be done by an injection into the disk to dissolve it away, or by an operation. Less severe attacks usually respond to a week or two of rest and medication, followed by special exercises.
However, Modem Medicine (52#11:119) reports, the most important thing is to find the position of maximum relief. For the majority of people, this involves lying on the floor with both knees pointing at the ceiling and with the lower legs resting horizontally on the seat of a chair. Others will need to experiment and find their own position of maximum comfort. Because this takes the pressure of the disk off the nerves, it is the first step needed for obtaining relief.
Initially, it may be necessary to maintain this position almost continuously for some days, but, later, when the victim gets better and goes back to work, it will be helpful if this position is adopted for at least 30 minutes during the day (it is better to do this for five minutes six times daily than to do it only once for 30 minutes). It is also important to avoid any positions and movements that bring on the pain. Medications help to lessen the pain but are less important than bodily position and rest (waterbeds should not be used).
After the pain subsides, the patient should start exercises to develop the muscles of the back and lower abdomen. This helps to prevent the lax and excessive movements that allow a disk to prolapse. Exercises that cause pain, however, must be stopped immediately and only those that can be performed in comfort should be continued. Lastly, one must learn to sit and lift correctly to avoid reinjuring the back.
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