How long does it take to heal a herniated lumbar disc?

Lumbar disc herniation refers to the occurrence of degenerative lesions between the lumbar vertebrae. If the condition is not serious, conservative methods can be used for treatment. Generally, strengthening good conditioning, taking medication, changing previous bad living habits, etc. can all achieve better treatment results. As for how long it will take to recover, it depends on the patient's specific condition and specific treatment method. The therapeutic effects are generally very good.

Nursing knowledge

1. To care for lumbar disc herniation, you must maintain good living habits, prevent the waist and legs from getting cold, and avoid excessive fatigue.

2. Patients with lumbar disc herniation should not bend over when lifting heavy objects. They should first squat down to pick up the heavy object, then stand up slowly, trying not to bend over. This is also an aspect that needs attention in the care of lumbar disc herniation.

3. Do not stretch your legs and bend your waist too much when exercising, otherwise patients with lumbar disc herniation will not only fail to achieve the desired goal, but may also suffer from disc herniation.

4. Patients with lumbar disc herniation should stand or sit in the correct posture. An abnormal spinal column can cause uneven stress on the intervertebral discs, which is a hidden cause of intervertebral disc herniation. In the care of lumbar disc herniation, the correct posture should be "stand like a pine tree, sit like a bell", with the chest upright and the waist straight. The same posture should not be maintained for too long. Appropriate in-place activities or waist and back exercises can relieve fatigue in the waist and back muscles.

Treatment of lumbar disc herniation:

1. Damp-heat syndrome

Symptoms: Patients experience lower back pain, often with weak legs, and a sensation of heat in the painful area. The pain increases in hot or rainy weather and is relieved after activity. In addition, it is accompanied by fever, thirst, and short and red urine. The tongue coating is yellow and greasy, and the pulse is moist and rapid or stringy and rapid.

Treatment method: clear away heat, dissipate dampness, and dredge the meridians.

Prescription: Xuanbi Decoction with modifications.

2. Blood stasis syndrome

Symptoms: The patient's clinical manifestations are stabbing pain in the waist and legs, pain in a fixed location, lighter during the day and heavier at night, stiff waist, limited pitch and rotation, and refusal to press on the painful area. The tongue is dark purple or has ecchymosis, and the pulse is tight or astringent.

Treatment method: Promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, promote qi circulation and relieve pain.

Prescription: Shentong Zhuyu Decoction with modifications.

3. Cold and dampness syndrome

Symptoms: The patient has cold pain in the waist and legs, difficulty turning over, pain that does not subside when lying still, pain aggravated by cold or rainy weather, and cold limbs. It is also accompanied by a pale tongue, white or greasy tongue coating, and a deep, tight or soft pulse.

Treatment method: Warm the meridians and dispel cold, transform dampness and dredge the collaterals.

Prescription: Wutou Decoction with modifications

4. Liver and kidney deficiency syndrome

Symptoms: Weakness in waist and knees, aggravated by fatigue, relieved by lying down. People with yang deficiency have pale complexion, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath and laziness to speak, and cold waist and legs. Men have symptoms of impotence and premature ejaculation, while women have clear and thin vaginal discharge, pale tongue, and deep and fine pulse. Those with liver and kidney deficiency who are more prone to yin deficiency have dry throat and thirst, flushed face, fatigue, restlessness and insomnia, frequent dreams or spermatorrhea. Women have yellow and smelly vaginal discharge, red tongue with little coating, and a stringy and fine pulse.

Treatment method: Nourish the liver and kidneys.

Prescription: Liuwei Dihuang Pills with modifications. Patients with Yin deficiency due to liver and kidney deficiency syndrome should also nourish kidney Yin, and the Chinese medicine prescription can be modified by Zuogui Pills. People with kidney yang deficiency should warm and nourish the kidney yang, and the prescription can be Qing'e Pills or Yougui Pills with added ingredients.