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Prolapsed of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc

1. Overview and Causes
2. Symptoms
3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation
4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM
  a. Early stage
  b. Late stage
5. Healing by Other Therapies
  a. Qigong and other
  b. Medicated diet
  c. Life style
6. Psychological Adaptation


1. Overview and Causes

Prolapsed of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc is an acute or chronic low back pain caused by the prolapsed of the lumbar Intervertebral disc, which also called Rupture Syndrome of Fibrous Rings of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc . The most place of the disc dislocation are 4th, 5th of lumbar vertebra and 1st sacral vertebra. The most cases are happened between 20-40 years old.

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2. Symptoms

1. The most cases have a history of the trauma or cold invasion.
2. There is a sudden low back pain on one side of the body, which radiates to the same side of the low limb. Any action, which exerts pressure on the belly, can aggravate the pain such as cough, sneezing and going to washroom.
3. The local examination: - There is tenderness beside the middle point of the low back depending which disc has been prolapsed. Also there is a pain on the lateral side of the leg. - The raising test of the straight-leg is positive; - The force of the toe extensor muscle and flexor is decreased.; the reflex of the knee and Achilles tendon is weakened or has disappeared.; the dermal sensation of the sandal area, small leg is reduced or lost; - The movement of the lumbus is distinctly limited and the extension of the lumbus can increase the pain.
4. The X-ray shows that the corresponding intervertebral space becomes narrow, or narrow in the anterior part and wide in the posterior part. There is labial hyperosteogency at the margin of the vertebral body in some cases.
5. CT scanning also can confirm the diagnosis.

Pathology
a.The reasons of anatomy: - The lumbar vertebra gets the big pressure from body's weight and the movement of this area is very much also. Therefore, the disc in this area get more chance to be protruded when the people over bend or twist their back. - There is lack of the ligament on the lateral aspects of the lumbar area, so the disc is easy to be pressed out.
b. Injuries: - Acute or chronic strains are the most reasons such as over lifting, bending and twisting even coughing. - Bad gestures is another reason such as putting all body's weight on one side of the body while they are sitting, standing or walking.
c. Internal reason: - Disc's degeneration: Because of the age, the disc s are getting harder and less compressible, so the spaces between the spinal bones are getting narrow and the nerves are getting more chance to be pressed. In Chinese medicine, it is called " Kidney deficiency". - The fatigue and catching cold is another internal reason.

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3. TCM Effectiveness and Evaluation

The manipulation of Chinese Tui Na massage plus Acupuncture are very important to the replacement of the disc since it can restore the disc, relieve the pain and increase the blood circulation in the muscles and ligaments. Chinese medicine can promote the qi and blood of the kidney; then, the prolapsed disc can be replaced by itself .

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4. Common Syndromes and Treatments in TCM

This ailment, according to TCM, has different syndromes. The treatment for these syndromes using herbal medicine and acupuncture is shown below.

Syndrome (a)
Early stage

There is acute low back pain or numbness. The patient can not turn over his body. Therapeutic principle: promoting the blood circulation, removing blood stasis and clearing away obstruction in the channels to relieve the pain.

Replacement of the disc: this is a special skill, which should be done by the specialist. There are basic ways: - Manipulation by hands. Replacement by traction.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: promoting the blood circulation, removing blood stasis and clearing away obstruction in the channels to relieve the pain.

Prescription/Formula: Decoction of four Ingredients for relieving pain.Chinese angelia root 12g, Chinese angelica root 12g, Dried rhemannia root 12g, White peony root 9g, Chuanxi, Frankincense 6g, Myrrh 6g

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Prescription/Formula: Bl23, Du3, Gb 30

  

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Syndrome (b)
Late stage

This is a chronic status, in which the muscles have become atrophic or numb. The There is the lassitude in the loin and knee and legs. The illness becomes severe after Fatigue, long time of standing, walking and sitting.

To treat by Herbal medicine
Therapeutic principle: Tonifying and replenishing the liver and kidney, strengthening muscles and bones, relaxing muscles and tendons and activating the collaterals.

Prescription/Formula: Decoction for tonifying the kidney and promoting blood flow. Prepared rehmannia root 18g Dogwood fruit 9g Desertliving cistanche 9g myrrh 9g Safflower 9g Pubscent angelica root 9g Eucommia bark 9g Wolfberry fruit 12g Psoralea fruit 12g Dodder seed 15g Chinese angelia root 15g

  

To treat by Acupuncture and Moxibustion

Prescription/Formula: Bl 24, Bl 53, Du4, Bl 58

  

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5. Healing by Other Therapies

(a) Qigong and other therapies

For effect of Qigong on the Nervous System Function, click here.

Generally speaking, Qigong is good for healing effect of this specific ailment, however individual results may vary. It improves the flow of the qi and the circulation of the blood, so you'll experience more energy, but, you won't see/ feel any immediate effects, as with many exercises and therapies, it takes a few weeks or even months of practice before you'll see any significant improvements.

The following types of Qigong may help:

For the information of different types of Qigong ,just click a link above.

This information is for education purpose only. We strongly advise you seek a licensed Qigong master to learn the correct ways to conduct these exercises before attempting them.

(b) Medicated diet
1. Pork ligament 30g Achyranthes root 15g Ginger root 3 pieces dates six Tangerine peel 6g 3 liters of water Cook them as the soup for one week supply; once a day.


(c) Life style
1) Keep right gesture always when you do lifting, bending and twisting the back as well as when you are sitting and standing.
2) Stronger you're back muscle by riding bicycle, swimming and walking and running.
3) Enhance your immune system, which means to strong the kidney Yin, and Yang.

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6. Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness
One encounters different health problems in the course of one's life. Some problems are acute yet minor and often improve by themselves or yield to simple self-management. Severe and acute conditions often necessitate the help of health professionals who may provide fast relief with specific interventions. However, when the condition is chronic, the management required is quite different.

Please click the following button to learn "Psychological Adaptation to a Chronic and Severe Illness".

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Acknowledgments:
Healthphone.com greatly acknowledges the support and dedication of our
Healing Centre Panel, without whom this section would not be possible.

We also greatly acknowedge Ms. Najaf Munir, MBBS, for her editorial support. Ms. Munir simplified the highly technical medical documents into easy-to-read documents, for the enjoyment and education of our numerous visitors.