Excess weight, lack of exercise, poor diet, bad habits and other negative effects on the human body never go unnoticed. All organs are affected, but the spine is most damaged. It bears the main burden and is responsible for the normal functionality of the body. Mechanical or sports injuries of the spinal column are especially important; these injuries can cause complete paralysis.
Back hernia, symptoms, treatment, exercises
Valentin Dikul himself had a severe injury; most doctors predicted that he would have, if not complete immobility, then extremely limited motor functions. Dikul managed to independently develop an effective method for completely restoring the vital functions of the spine and not only recovered, but also returned to the circus arena.
Dikul Valentin Ivanovich
Subsequently, he improved his technique, due to this the boundaries of its capabilities significantly expanded. Tens of thousands of patients, using the developed methods, were able to return to a full life after complex injuries and illnesses. Even more people have been able to reduce the effects of spinal diseases or prevent their development.
Dikul exercises - full course
Dikul’s exercises for the spine: for hernia and lumbar pain
You can watch videos or pictures to learn Dikul’s exercises for a herniated lumbar spine or joint injuries. When the exercises are performed correctly, the muscles of the back and abdomen are strengthened, the ligaments become more elastic, the metabolism in the diseased joints is restored, which leads to a gradual recovery and restoration of performance.
- helps relieve inflammation and swelling, reduce pain, is used as an independent prophylactic agent and in combination in the treatment of osteochondrosis, arthritis, neuralgia, etc.
I can tell you how to do the exercises, but without your desire my words will not bring success. Even if my equipment were made of gold, you will never walk unless you have confidence. IN AND. Dikul
It is no accident that the article begins with a quote from Valentin Ivanovich Dikul himself, the head of one of the best medical and rehabilitation centers in Russia, which treats diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Dikul’s gymnastics for cervical and lumbar osteochondrosis put him on his feet and to this day helps many people from different countries and cities.
Uniqueness of the technique
The set of exercises described above is aimed at strengthening the spine. This is not the only development of the talented author. An amazing doctor created entire systems of exercises for various parts of the spine, aimed at strengthening the muscular system.
Valentin Dikul's complexes are designed for people who have been injured and patients with serious diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
He developed effective preventive complexes for office employees and drivers. He didn’t ignore the children either.
Valentin Dikul’s method is based on the fight against illnesses and is aimed at defeating them. This is its uniqueness. Since many techniques see their goal as adaptation and adaptation of the patient to the role of a disabled person.
https://youtu.be/eAEayriLeIU
Valentin Ivanovich Dikul
This man is not a theorist, but a practitioner. It so happened that in his youth he was seriously interested in circus performances and during one of them an event happened that determined his entire future life and profession: at a height of 13 meters, the crossbar to which the insurance was attached burst and Valentin fell. From such a fall he received a compression fracture of the spine, a head injury and many small fractures...
Doctors, as often happens, with similar diagnoses unanimously told him: “You can forget about normal walking!” But the future doctor himself had his own opinion on this issue. He studied tons of medical literature and began independent training, developing his own system. And finally he went! And how he went through life, putting other people on their feet, in front of whom official medicine literally slammed the doors.
Additional recommendations and useful tips
Rehabilitation after surgery is very long and painful. Patients need to relearn how to stand, sit and walk. This must be done slowly and carefully. It is recommended to wear a special corset that will help support the spine. Long sitting positions should be avoided.
Treatment of intervertebral hernia is a protracted process. It is necessary to approach the cure for this disease with all responsibility. However, you must remember that after this you will have to change your life and habits radically. Take care of yourself and your health.
The main secret to the success of his training
His system was developed for people who can hardly move at all, so it is one of the simplest and most gentle systems for recovery from chondrosis. Some of its components will require simulators and devices. They can be easily made at home, but in this article you will find a video with exercises that do not require any additional things.
The master considers the most important thing in his own approach:
- powerful self-motivation for practice success
- belief in the 100% possibility of any person to overcome their own pain
- unbending will
- iron self-discipline
This means that success is achievable for absolutely everyone – at absolutely any stage of the disease.
Everything will depend on your efforts!
What is a vertebral hernia
One of the most complex diseases, doctors often recommend only surgical intervention.
But all spinal surgeries are very dangerous; no one gives a 100% guarantee of success and never excludes an extremely negative result from spinal cord damage. The consequence of such injuries is paralysis of the lower limbs. A spinal hernia appears as a result of metabolic disorders in the tissues of the discs, mechanical injuries or excessive physical exertion; the nucleus pulposus protrudes and pinches the nerve endings.
Focus and main features of gymnastics
With long-term systematic exercises, Dikul’s gymnastics for cervical problems can restore the spine at the cellular level and bring serious relief and elimination of annoying pain. The classes are based on 3 main stages:
- adaptive – designed for general strengthening of various parts of the spine
- gradual - this stage is characterized by a gentle complication of exercises, using weights and alternating movements for tension with movements for relaxation
- consolidating – systematic training with complications (if the patient’s condition improves)
One of the basic principles of such health-improving physical education for the lumbar neck is precisely the alternation of exercises for tensing muscles with stretching and relaxing them. Many doctors believe that strength training is not acceptable for diseases of the spine, but Valentin Ivanovich’s method, on the contrary, takes correct and moderate strength training as one of the foundations of treatment.
Of course, to ensure that such a recovery program does not cause you harm, it is better to consult with a specialist in any of the Dikul centers throughout the country. But the safe exercises given in this article can be used at home during the period of remission of the disease.
Recommendations for implementation
Before you start training, you must first consult with your doctor.
Physical activity is strictly prohibited during the acute period of the disease.
During the period of remission, you need to perform the recommended complexes smoothly and slowly, without making sudden movements. Careless actions can lead to worsening of a vertebral hernia.
The average course of exercise therapy is 14 sessions.
Doctors advise repeating such courses every 2 weeks. Regular training is the key to maximum effect from physical therapy.
Exercises
The physical complex for the neck developed by this doctor is popular all over the world because it really works. The main thing is to be systematic in your exercises and perform all movements thoughtfully (without sudden movements). You can watch a very effective and simple exercise using the Dikul system in this video.
Did you enjoy working out?
Then keep a wonderful complement to the first movement, which, just like the first, can be performed at home or in the office, sitting on a chair. Video here.
Factors in the development of hernia
The causes of a herniated cervical spine lie not only in complications of chronic diseases - osteochondrosis or spondylosis. Its appearance is facilitated by:
- sports or domestic injury;
- incorrect posture;
- maintaining a passive lifestyle;
- long work in a sitting position (at a computer).
A hernia is dangerous not only because of constant discomfort, but also because of the consequences associated with it. Its untimely treatment can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, stroke or cervical radiculitis.
Exercises for osteochondrosis for the lower back
That's all for today! May your health be strong and your smile radiant!
Back pain can be caused by a number of problems: from diseases of the internal organs to intervertebral hernia. It can either be encircling or radiate to other parts of the body, permanent or temporary.
If we talk about painful sensations caused by the condition of the spine, then it is necessary to mention the most common causes: muscle strain, curvature of the spinal column,.
The well-known Dikul technique for spinal diseases will help you cope with pain and gradually get rid of the problem.
Valentin Dikul is an academician who learned from his own experience what a serious back injury is, in which people will no longer be able to ever get back on their feet.
His case showed that everything is possible, and made it possible to develop the current Dikul gymnastics for the spine with a hernia.
The treatment method is aimed at relieving pain and returning the functional activity of the affected neurons.
It is they who, when squeezed and pinched, spend all their energy on survival, and not on communication with muscle cells. This causes muscular dystrophy, static tension and severe back pain.
You can learn more about the relationship between the spinal muscles and intervertebral hernias, and also read all the information on this topic in the book “Life without back pain” by Valentin Dikul.
How does therapeutic exercise work?
The main task of the exercises is to force the muscles to reach their optimal state. Tense muscles need to be relaxed, and weak ones need to be restored to tone.
The Dikul method for lumbar disc herniation is based on four postulates:
- you need to do the exercises every day;
- the lesson must last at least 60 minutes;
- It is important to maintain gymnastics hygiene;
- unshakable optimism and faith in success.
Therapeutic exercises for lumbar hernia:
- We place emphasis on our knees (angle 90 degrees), arms not wide apart, straight, back without bending, head looking forward. As you exhale, you need to lower your hips onto your heels, relax your back, and bow your head towards your outstretched arms. With an inhalation, we roll forward onto our hands, bending so that our head reaches up. The pelvis is pressed to the floor. We pause and sit on our heels with a smooth movement. Repeat 10-12 times.
- The starting position is similar, the knees are brought together. We lift the groans pressed against each other above the floor and, leaning on our knees, swing our toes to the sides. The spine moves only in the lumbar region. Shoulders and chest are not involved. Repeat 10-12 times in each direction.
- Starting position, as in exercise No. 2. The back is straight, the chin is parallel to the floor. Leaning on your hands and knees, you need to, like a pendulum, slowly lower your pelvis one by one to the sides towards the floor until pain occurs. We do not linger in the starting position. Do 10-12 repetitions on each side.
- Press in front of you on your knees brought together. As you inhale, you need to bend your back strongly at the lower back and lift your head towards the ceiling. As you exhale, lower your head between your hands and arch your back as much as possible. Repeat up to 10-12 times.
- We lie on our backs, bend our legs at the knees. Extend your arms along your body. Slowly lower your knees to the floor to the right and left. Only the lumbar region works. The shoulder blades do not come off the floor. Breathing is deep and spontaneous. Perform 10-12 repetitions in each direction.
- Lie on your back, knees bent, arms along the body with palms down. We throw the left heel over the right knee. Slowly, as you exhale, raise your right leg towards you. Lower to the floor while inhaling. Repeat with each leg 10 times.
These exercises will help relieve severe pain, relieve muscle tension and tone flabby muscles, improve blood flow and nutrition in the tissues.
The Dikul method for spinal hernia has already helped tens of thousands of people. But for each individual case, its own individual set of exercises must be selected.
To find out more precisely what you need, we recommend reading the book “Life without back pain” by V. Dikul.
Denial of responsibility
The information in the articles is for general information purposes only and should not be used for self-diagnosis of health problems or for therapeutic purposes. This article is not a substitute for medical advice from a doctor (neurologist, therapist). Please consult your doctor first to know the exact cause of your health problem.
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Valentin Dikul is the developer of a unique method for the rehabilitation of patients after severe injuries. The originality of the teaching is in the direction of human efforts to restore the functions of the body. Joint gymnastics Dikul
– this is not just a set of specific exercises. It is a healthcare system supported by the details of personal experience and knowledge, successfully demonstrated in practice.
Possible results
A set of exercises for a herniated cervical spine, when performed systematically, will help achieve the following results:
- relief from pain due to cervical hernia,
- complete elimination (or at least reduction in its intensity) of headaches and tinnitus (ear noise, ringing, crackling),
- elimination of stiffness of the cervical region due to a hernia of this region,
- improvement of blood supply to the spinal column and metabolic processes in it,
- elimination of reflex muscle spasm that occurs against the background of hernia progression,
- suspension of the development of the dystrophic process.
Good results are only possible if you follow all the recommendations of the physiotherapist.
Popularity of Dikul gymnastics
Dikul’s joint gymnastics is popular among patients and people who care about their health. Valentin Ivanovich himself was able to recover from a compression fracture of the spine and return to a full life. Numerous followers of the unique technique obtain amazing results in restoring the functions of the spine.
To prevent the tree from breaking, it is given support. A muscular corset serves as such a support for the spine. Without movement, muscles atrophy and lose elasticity. The spinal column is deprived of support, and this is a direct path to osteochondrosis and scoliosis. The mobility of bones, discs and large joints sharply decreases. , which often gives into the hand or.
Relieving muscle blockade and strengthening the muscle corset is the goal of complex treatment of spinal diseases such as disc herniation, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, and others. This therapy is used in rehabilitation centers. The basis of the basics is physical therapy.
Due to the loads, spasms in damaged areas of the spine are relieved. Such fast and effective recovery is possible when training on special simulators. After eliminating the cause of the pain, the patient proceeds to the next stage - creating and strengthening the muscle frame.
Briefly about the disease
A lumbar hernia is quite difficult to rehabilitate, since treatment requires both gymnastics and maximum gentle treatment, especially if surgery has been performed. If the postoperative period is prolonged, the muscular corset of the spine atrophies, and the person, who has not yet had time to recover, is again at risk of relapse. There are cases when a repeat operation is needed after a year.
To understand how to deal with a hernia and avoid its recurrence, you need to know its main causes. Increased stress and excess weight are only risk factors, and the main reasons are hidden internal processes that have been developing for a long time. These include the following:
- destruction of cartilage;
- dystrophy of intervertebral discs;
- calcification of ligaments and joints;
- muscle pathologies.
In order to cope with these problems, you need not only to fight excess weight and avoid excessive exercise, but also take into account the following recommendations:
Proper and balanced nutrition, enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, is important. Phosphorus, calcium, potassium, selenium, manganese, vitamins A, D, C and E are especially important
You may need drugs such as glucosamine, chondroitin and others intended to restore cartilage. You need to limit the amount of salt in your diet and drink plenty of fluids. An important component is exercises for the lower back with a hernia, aimed at strengthening the muscles and stretching the spine.
A herniated disc (intervertebral space) is a protrusion that forms when the gel-like disc nucleus is displaced against the background of thinning and damage to the fibrous capsule (fibrous ring). The main cause of intervertebral hernias in almost 80% of patients is dystrophic disease of the intervertebral discs, which develops against the background of an unbalanced diet, bad habits, and a sedentary lifestyle.
Visual image of a herniated disc
Clinically, the hernia is manifested by pain (including referred and radiating pain), the cause of which can be either myofascial syndrome or compression of the spinal nerves, which in large numbers extend from the spinal cord in the central spinal canal. The patient also complains of muscle stiffness and tension, limited mobility in the affected segment of the spine, numbness and other paresthesia in the area of the affected nerve.
With large protrusions in the lumbosacral region, severe dysfunction of the pelvic organs is possible, manifested by constipation, painful bowel movements, and dysuria. In men, a hernia can cause prostatitis and erectile dysfunction, since the lower parts of the spinal cord are responsible for the functioning of the prostate gland.
Symptoms of a hernia in different parts of the spine
Non-invasive (bloodless) treatment of intervertebral hernias includes the following steps:
- medicinal correction (to relieve pain, relieve muscle spasms, restore blood and lymph circulation);
- therapeutic and health-improving physical education and gymnastics;
- massage;
- physiotherapy (electrophoresis, laser therapy, UHF);
- balneotherapy;
- hirudotherapy (alternative medicine method).
Exercise therapy is the most important element in the complex treatment of back hernias
Objectives of joint gymnastics
A systematic approach to performing exercises provides a person with the necessary loads. Thanks to this effect on the body, patients note the following physical and moral results:
- strengthening the muscles of the back and abs;
- decrease ;
- rejuvenation of the body;
- strengthening and development of joints;
- spine flexibility;
- fight against excess weight;
- increased vitality;
- strengthening the nervous system;
- normalization of metabolic processes;
- increased activity;
- surge of strength.
Dikul gymnastics is indicated for patients of all ages, has almost no contraindications, and takes a minimum of time. The full package includes:
- manual procedures;
- one of two sets of physical activity;
- physiotherapy;
- drinking regime.
To get lasting, long-lasting results, you need to be patient. The first positive effect will appear after 3-4 months of regular training.
Class Rules
Valentin Dikul is confident that all patients can achieve positive results in the complex treatment of intervertebral hernias and other spinal diseases using his system, regardless of the severity of injuries, congenital and acquired pathologies. But in order for the classes to be effective, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules that the author developed for stable development of neurophysiological indicators and better adaptation of the body to new loads.
- Rule 1. Classes must be regular, without breaks. If the patient has stopped training, it is necessary to start training from the first stage, since muscle tissue very quickly adapts to the intensity of the current load.
- Rule 2. The recommended duration and frequency of classes is 3-4 times a week for 40-50 minutes. At the final stage, the training duration can be up to 1.5 hours, since one of the objectives of the technique is to increase endurance and adapt the body to long-term stress.
- Rule 3. During training, you must monitor the technique of performing the exercises. You can move on to higher amplitudes only after mastering the previous stage of training.
- Rule 4. Only self-confidence and full awareness of why a person needs these trainings and what results he can achieve with strict discipline will help the patient achieve recovery.
Note! Back diseases are a large group of severe pathologies that can extremely negatively affect the functioning of the entire body and internal organs, therefore, before any impact on this area, it is necessary to consult with specialists. If pain or severe discomfort occurs during exercise, you should stop training and consult your doctor to rule out possible complications and exacerbations of existing pathologies.
Contraindications
A set of physical exercises has some contraindications. These include:
- oncological diseases;
- infectious diseases in the acute phase of their course;
- cerebrovascular accidents.
- heart problems;
- severe stage nervous system diseases;
- body temperature above 37.5;
- pronounced compression of the spine.
If the patient has a history of urolithiasis or epilepsy, classes must be started with the permission of a doctor.
Indications
Doctors try to treat hernial formations with medications and various procedures.
Surgical treatment is used extremely rarely, only in cases of large hernias that lead to compression of the spinal cord and interfere with the normal functioning of the nervous system. Prescription of therapeutic exercises for the cervical spine is required in the following cases:
- the occurrence of paresis and pain in the upper extremities;
- loss of sensation in the back, arms, neck;
- limited range of motion in the cervical spine;
- headaches, dizziness;
- pressure or tinnitus;
- problems with concentration, memory impairment;
- apathetic, depressive states;
- pain in the cervical spine during movement and at rest.
Therapeutic exercises for a hernia give excellent results, so you should not neglect medical recommendations regarding physical exercise. Regular performance of properly selected exercises promotes rapid relief and recovery.
Complex of joint gymnastics
The Dikul joint complex is divided into two types. The purpose of the first is to support joints and develop muscles. It is recommended to be performed daily in the morning and evening; it is suitable for the patient’s rehabilitation period. The first complex is divided into two parts: in the morning the legs and back are trained, in the evening – the arms, stomach and chest. A systematic approach strengthens the muscle corset. For the first three months you are allowed to exercise without weights. The exercises are performed smoothly, with even breathing. Number of repetitions – 10-15 times without stopping, 6 approaches.
The goal of the second type of gymnastics is to develop the flexibility and elasticity of the ligamentous apparatus. It is more complex than the first and is approved for use by patients with reconstructed joints. Exercises help strengthen individual muscle groups. As you get used to the loads, you need to use weights and counterweights. Additional weight, like the complex itself, is selected individually.
A set of exercises to relieve acute pain
It is performed when the pain is still severe and there is limited mobility in the lower back, neck, and when walking. The pace of classes is slow and smooth. No special simulators or equipment are required for this.
- Starting position – standing on your knees. Arms straight, head looking forward. As you exhale, lower your buttocks onto your heels. Exhale as you bend forward. Repeat up to 12 times. The pace is slow; try not to rush. If pain occurs, the amplitude can be reduced.
- Do not change body position. Knees together, chin raised. Rotate both legs from side to side. Breathing is voluntary.
- The starting position is the same. Raise your chin, knees together, feet on the floor. Smoothly lower the pelvis to one side until slight pain occurs, then smoothly to the other.
- In the same position, bend your lower back down, throwing your head high, and push it up, lowering your chin to your chest.
- Lie on your back, bend your knees, place your feet on the floor. Slowly lower your knees to the right, left. Do not lift your back from the floor. Repeat up to 10-12 times.
- From the same position, alternately pull your knee to your stomach with both hands. Breathing is voluntary. Repeat up to 10-12 times.
Basic exercises of the complex
- Starting position – lying on your back. Turn the thigh of the left leg as far as it will go. Hold for 3-5 seconds. Return to previous position. Repeat for the second thigh. When performing, try to keep your torso motionless.
- Without getting up from the floor, spread your legs to the sides. As you inhale, turn your body to one side to the limit, freeze for 3-5 seconds, exhale. Turn in the other direction, observing the breathing pattern.
- Stay in the same position, straighten your legs. Pull your socks towards you until they stop. Perform several sliding movements with your toes to the right, then to the left, straining your feet. Do not lift the body off the floor.
- Starting position – lying on your back, legs straightened, spread to the sides. Cross your arms over your chest, clasping your shoulders tightly with your palms. Bend left and right from the starting position, fixing the body for 3-5 seconds in the lower position.
- Roll over onto your stomach, stretch your arms along your body, palms up. Raise your shoulders and legs without using your limbs. Fix the body in the limit position for 3-5 seconds.
- The exercise is performed standing. Bend forward, arching your back parallel to the floor.
Exercise therapy classes according to Dikul require a sufficient number of repetitions. The training pace is moderate and smooth. The body relaxes, muscles stretch and tense. Compliance with the rules of exercise gives a positive effect from gymnastics.
Muscle strengthening complex
Exercises to create and strengthen the muscle corset should be performed in a specialized gym. The complex includes:
- Pull the lower block to the stomach. It has two goals: it stretches the lumbar region and creates a muscle corset.
- Horizontal leg press - to build muscle mass in the legs and align the pelvic spine. Indicated for combating by stretching the lumbar region and working out the abs.
- Pull the vertical block towards you. Works a lot of the muscles of the upper back, relieves axial load and stretches the spine upward.
- Sitting with dumbbells (minimum weight). Hands are lowered, while inhaling, spread to the sides, place dumbbells at shoulder level. As you exhale, return to the starting position. Number of repetitions: 15-20 times, 1-2 approaches. The upper spine and shoulder girdle are worked out.
- From the same position. Hands with dumbbells are lowered. As you exhale, raise the dumbbells in front of you at shoulder level and fix them, turn your hands horizontally, and lower them as you exhale. The number of repetitions is 15-20. If pain occurs, reduce the amplitude. The rotation of the hands is carried out in the shoulder joints, and not in the elbow joints.
Complex of joint gymnastics for the elderly
Joint gymnastics is designed to prepare the body for stress, balance it, strengthen ligaments, tendons, and muscles. During exercise, the hormone of happiness is released in the body, mood improves, energy and vitality increase. This is especially necessary for older people. A special complex of joint gymnastics has been developed for them.
- Lying on your back, straighten your legs. Bend one leg, placing it behind the knee of the other. Change by performing the exercise in the other direction. At the initial stage, 5 repetitions are enough. Gradually increase their number, bringing up to 20 repetitions with each leg.
- Lying on your back, bend your knees and place them shoulder-width apart. Slowly spread your knees in different directions, trying to touch the floor with them. Start with 5 repetitions, gradually increasing their number to 20.
- Standing facing the wall, rest your hands on it. Alternately perform rotations with straight legs. Don't make the circle too big. When performing, you need to warm up your joints and not strain your muscles.
- Lying on your back, extend your lower limbs forward. Raise your legs one by one to a vertical position, fixing each at the top for 10 seconds.
- Lie on your stomach face down, put your hands behind your head. When lifting your torso up, spread your arms to the sides. The number of repetitions is 5-20 depending on physical fitness.
- Perform the exercise while lying on your stomach. Bend your arms at the elbows and place your palms under your chin. Raise your legs one by one.
- Lie on your side and perform 10 leg swings. Then 10 rotations of the leg in the hip joint. Repeat everything for the second leg.
- Lie on your back, straighten your lower limbs. Alternately pull the leg bent at the knee towards the chin. The number of repetitions is 10-20 for each leg.
- To warm up the neck muscles. Sit on the floor. Place your head first on one shoulder, then on the other. In the same way, tilt your head forward and backward. The pace is slow and smooth.
- Sitting on a chair, turn your body, reaching your arms back. Perform in one direction, then the other.
The same exercises are used in a complex for beginners, but the execution of each is doubled. The author of the technique himself is an example of recovery and return to normal life after a severe spinal injury. Joint gymnastics according to Dikul gives results with a systematic approach.
These exercises are really what you need for a lumbar hernia. I know this first hand. After a spinal injury, my aunt developed a lumbar hernia. She was against surgery, so she had to come to terms with this diagnosis. At first, the hernia did not interfere and manifested itself only in rare attacks of pain. But over time the situation worsened.
Mechanism of hernia formation
Before we move on to thinking about what exercises to do for a spinal hernia, let's understand the mechanism of formation of hernias, and most importantly, the origin of back pain, which is generally believed to be caused by the mentioned disease, but this is far from the case.
Let's start with the classical ideas about the pathogenesis of spinal hernias, which were extremely popular in the 60s of the 20th century and continue to prevail in modern Russian medicine.
Two vertebrae and an intervertebral disc form the functional unit of the spine - the SMS (spinal motion segment). The intervertebral disc itself is divided into an internal part (nucleus pulposus) and an external part (annulus fibrosus).
The fibrous ring is attached directly to the vertebral bodies and limits the displacement of the nucleus pulposus outside the intervertebral space. In case of excessive load against one of the parts of the fibrous ring (excessive extension, flexion, etc.
), the latter is stretched or torn. The nucleus pulposus enters the resulting space and compresses (squeezes) the roots emerging from the intervertebral foramina. This explains the back pain.
We suggest you read: What exercise therapy exercises should be done for lumbar protrusion
In such cases, the doctors' algorithm of action is usually as follows: the back hurts - they sent for a CT scan or MRI - discovered a hernia - sent for surgery. The above theory is very convenient for neurosurgeons: if the pain is due to a hernia, then it must be cut out!
However, a deeper analysis will show us a slightly different picture. The spinal motion segments do not float in a jelly-like substance, surrounded by nerves that are very easy to compress. In addition to the two vertebrae and the disc between them, there is also a powerful ligamentous apparatus of the spine, which forms the natural protection of the spinal column. It is represented by the following links:
- anterior longitudinal ligament; lines all vertebral bodies along the anterior surface of the latter;
- posterior longitudinal ligament - location similar to the ligament described above, adjusted for localization on the posterior surface;
- the supraspinous ligament, which above the 7th cervical vertebra passes into the nuchal ligament;
- interspinous, intertransverse and yellow ligaments are short ligaments that stabilize the position of each individual vertebra.
Purely logically, if the vertebrae on top are covered with dense ligaments, how can anything (we are talking about a hernia) leak into the intervertebral space? Perhaps the hernia is very dense? But that's not true.
In fact, a hernia is an intervertebral disc, only deformed. It consists of a jelly-like substance, which, no matter how hard it wants, cannot push through a ligament comparable in density to a leather belt.
What do we see in the photographs? We see the remains of the intervertebral disc located under the ligaments of the spine. They are not able to compress anything. And they cannot be the cause of pain. If your back hurts and there are hernias, continue to look for the cause.
To do this, think about a simple truth: bones without muscles have no meaning. And the position of the bones is given only by the muscles directly attached to them. What kind of muscles serve the spine?
For ease of understanding, we will highlight two layers of muscles that serve the spine. This is a long extensor muscle, extending from the occipital protuberance to the sacrum and belonging to the superficial layer. And short multifidus muscles of the back, passing between adjacent vertebrae, like lacing.
They spread between the various processes of the vertebral bodies and are responsible not so much for the dynamic mobility of the spine as for the static position. That is, it is the deep layer that is responsible for the natural curves of the spine.
Let's also not forget that the tone of the back muscles does not exist separately from the tone of all other muscles - the belt of the upper and lower limbs directly affects the tone of the spinal muscles, mainly the tone of the deep muscles.
Blood vessels and spinal nerves pass under these muscles and directly between them. If the deep muscle layer is “overloaded” for one reason or another, it spasms. This means that at the level of a certain MPS, the short muscles shorten, bringing the vertebral bodies as close as possible.
Exercises for lumbar hernia
Valentin Dikul learned from his own experience what a spinal injury is, after which doctors no longer give hope that you will be able to walk. This is an incredible story of healing when, after falling from a height of 13 meters and a terrible injury (he was paralyzed for 5 years), he returned to the circus.
He says: “The doctors told me I would spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. But I decided to fight."
And he fought and was able to get back on his feet. He developed a variety of techniques for restoring the spine. His treatment method is aimed at relieving pain and restoring the functionality of the spine.
Dikul considers exercises to be the most effective method of treating lumbar hernia of the spine. Their main task is to return muscles to optimal condition. Relax tense muscles and restore tone to weak ones. This famous gymnastics includes only 6 exercises, but they have no equal in effectiveness.
Prevention of complications
Preventive measures for intervertebral hernia include daily performance of a set of painkillers and restorative exercises, correct position during sleep and giving up bad habits. Lifting weights and performing heavy physical labor is strictly prohibited .
Swimming
This type of preventive measures is recognized as the most effective method. In addition to the fact that this activity will help improve your mood, it can also strengthen the muscle corset, improve the nutrition of the intervertebral discs and relieve pain from the disease.
Kuznetsov applicator
This unique device helps ease the course of the disease by specifically influencing biologically active points of the body. Kuznetsov's applicator has several colors, each of which has a different effect on a particular area of the body.
The device is also divided according to the number of needles and the principle of operation. Many patients note the high effectiveness of the device in the fight against intervertebral hernia.
Features of training using this method
The doctor developed not only sets of exercises for different parts of the spine, but also gave several recommendations for their implementation.
- You need to exercise regularly. Dikul believes that the duration of the lesson should be gradually increased to 1 hour daily, although at first you can train less.
- An equally important principle is the patient’s constant positive attitude, self-control and faith in healing.
- It is not recommended to exercise in the acute stage of the disease, accompanied by pain; training is possible in the stage of stable remission.
- You don't need any equipment to practice; the exercises can be done at home.
- All movements are done in a slow amplitude.
An equally important principle is the patient’s constant positive attitude, self-control and faith in healing.
The author suggests increasing the number of repetitions gradually, as flexibility improves and the muscle corset is trained.
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