How to treat lumbar disc herniation and numbness in legs and feet

After suffering from lumbar disc herniation, patients often experience numbness in their legs and feet. This is also a common symptom, especially for elderly patients. Their physical functions decline, and sometimes they cannot even walk normally. At this time, they need the help of crutches, which is quite harmful to such patients. At this time, some conservative methods can be adopted for treatment. In addition, the treatment effect of traditional Chinese medicine is also very good.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Lumbar Disc Herniation

1. Treatment based on syndrome differentiation

Wind-cold with dampness: Treat by dispelling wind and cold, promoting dampness and unblocking meridians. The prescription that can be used is Duhuo Jishe Decoction with processed Chuanwu and Pueraria root. Duhuo Jishe Decoction includes: Duhuo, mistletoe, Eucommia ulmoides, Achyranthes bidentata, Asarum, Gentiana macrophylla, Poria, cinnamon heart, Saposhnikovia divaricata, Chuanxiong, ginseng, licorice, Angelica sinensis, Paeonia lactiflora, and Rehmannia glutinosa.

Damp-heat blocking the meridians: treat by clearing away heat and dampness, and dredge the meridians. The prescription of choice is Xuanbi Decoction (including Stephania tetrandra, apricot kernel, talc, Forsythia suspensa, Gardenia jasminoides, Coix seed, Pinellia ternata, silkworm feces, and adzuki bean peel). If the pain is severe, turmeric, mulberry branch, and Pittosporum tobira bark, etc. can be added.

2. Topical medications

Patients can use Tianhe bone pain ointment or Nanxing pain relief ointment, etc.

It should be noted that the above drugs must be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.

3. Prescription:

Shentongzhuyu Decoction

Ingredients: 10g of Qinjiao, 10g of Chuanxiong, 10g of peach kernel, 10g of safflower, 10g of myrrh, 10g of Duhuo, 10g of Wulingzhi, 10g of Cyperus rotundus, 15g of Achyranthes bidentata, 10g of Notopterygium wilfordii, 10g of earthworm, 6g of licorice, and 10g of Angelica sinensis.

Applicable patients: patients with injured tendons and veins, qi stagnation and blood stasis, unbearable waist pain, restricted movement, radiating pain in the lower limbs, symptoms aggravated when the patient coughs, dark purple tongue, and sluggish pulse.

Treatment principles: promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, relax tendons and dredge meridians.

What are the dangers of lumbar disc herniation?

1. Numbness, coldness and intermittent claudication of the lower limbs: Numbness of the lower limbs is often accompanied by pain. A small number of patients may experience simple numbness, and a small number of patients feel coldness or chilliness in their lower limbs. This is mainly due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nerve fibers in the spinal canal. The mechanism and clinical manifestations of intermittent claudication are similar to those of lumbar spinal stenosis, mainly because the pathological and physiological symptoms of secondary lumbar spinal stenosis may occur in the case of nucleus pulposus protrusion.

2. Symptoms of cauda equina: Mainly seen in central nucleus pulposus herniation, which is rare in clinical practice. Numbness and tingling in the perineum and urinary and bowel dysfunction may occur. Women may experience urinary incontinence and men may experience impotence. In severe cases, incontinence and incomplete paralysis of both lower limbs may occur.

3. Low back pain: More than 95% of patients with lumbar disc herniation have this symptom. Patients feel persistent dull pain in the lower back, which is relieved when lying down but aggravated when standing. It is generally tolerable and the patient can move the lower back moderately or walk slowly. The other type is sudden, severe, spasmodic pain in the lower back, which is unbearable and requires bed rest, seriously affecting life and work.