The herniated disc is the result of a spill of pulpy material from intervertebral discs. The disks are normally equipped with a fibrous ring, the annulus, which represents an apparatus to contain the pulposus nucleus. When the capacity of this ring decreass, for a violent trauma or for the natural degeneration, the material comes in contact with the neural structures of the spinal canal, the dura mater and/or the roots pressing and causing pain.
The hernia may cover different areas of the spine but the most common affects the lower back. Among the causes, as well as trauma and degenerative diseases, we find the age. Unlike many other disorders, this disease afflicts more young adults rather than older ones. This because, over the years, the gelatinous nucleus hardens reducing the likelihood of leakage.
The treatment
The choice of a specific treatment and technology to treat a patient should be taken also considering the pain threshold of the patient. When treating herniation we have to understand what position is more comfortable for the patient: laying or sitting. Regarding the technology choice the disc herniation can be treated with high power laser, that canpenetrate deep in the tissues. This technology is appreciated for the great pain-removing effect and for the short treatment time. Indeed, it is advisable for the patient not to maintain uncomfortable positions for a long time. In the acute phase, sessions should be carried out on daily basis. Laser allows for more frequent treatments asit “works” and not “massages” the tissues of the patients, and, therefore, it does not generates skin soreness. Furthermore, with laser you do not stimulate skin nociceptors, that have been altered by radicular irritation. When the pain and inflammation are under control, laser treatment sessions can be alternated with diathermy treatment. The laser treatment can be delivered in pulsed mode on the trigger points of the rachis and passing the laser repeatedly on the inflamed nerve. We remind you not to apply laser treatments on tattooed skin.
High power laser’s beneficial effects
Vasodilation: increase in blood flux with subsequent increase in local heat, cell metabolic request and related stimulation of the autonomic nervous system.
Increase in lymphatic drainage: higher absorption of interstitial liquids in excess and reduction of oedemas.
Metabolic stimulation: the stimulation of cell replacement accelerates the transformation process of ADP into ATP and the electrical exchange between intra and extracellular environments with subsequent increase in the concentration of nucleic acids and amino acids.