Herniated disk: causes, prevention and natural treatment

A vertebra is one of the bones in the line of the spine. Humans in childhood have 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral and 4 or 5 in the coccyx area, and when they reach adulthood vertebrae are reduced to 26, because bones of the sacrum and coccyx are welded becoming a bone.

Between the front and back of the vertebrae there is a canal, the spinal canal, within the spinal cord lies. Holes are also formed between the vertebrae, called conjunction, one on each side of the vertebra through which nerve roots exit from the spinal.

Each vertebra is separated from one another by an inter-vertebral disc, with the exception of the 5 sacral vertebrae and the 4 of the coccyx because they are linked. The inter-vertebral discs are loose or pulpy connective tissue cores whose function is to cushion the vertebrae during movement.

The inter-vertebral disc tissue has a high water content that tends to decrease in some people with age, which causes the column to lose its elasticity and ability to withstand stresses and make varied movements.

Degenerative changes in discs lead to a loss of strength of the fibrous and the ring can be moved becoming incompetent (bulging disk), it can even break. This is what is known as a herniated disc and may produce symptoms by compression of nerve roots or spinal cord compression in severe cases.

Herniated discs are more frequent in the cervical and lumbar spine, as these are the most mobile segments of the spine. These hernias are often caused by degenerative tissue but are also produced at times by injury.

Symptoms

• Back or legs pain.
• The back pain depends on where the damaged disc is located.
• Sometimes the pain radiates to the buttocks or back of the thigh to the calf.
• Sometimes there may be numbness in the legs.
• The pain of hernia is get worst by doing physical activity and it reduces when you usually rest.

Prevention

Nothing is better than prevention to stop the body from deteriorating. To care for the spine and inter-vertebral discs, it is necessary to maintain lifelong habits such as exercise, especially stretching and yoga, as these help keep the spine elastic. Also swimming, gymnastics, tai chi, etc. are effective to keep the spine in good condition.

Also, keep a balanced diet and quality food rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and antioxidant nutrients that help to regenerate body tissues well. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day (2 liters of water) is also essential for the body to maintain moisture levels always in top condition and to carry out all its functions and regenerative activities efficiently.

Preventive food to help treat herniated discs

Marine algae, brewer's yeast, berries, citrus, garlic, whole grains, vegetable milk and oils, fish and legumes, should not miss in your diet if you want prevent hernias or to treat them. Avoid at all costs: sugars and refined flour, fried foods, meats and processed or junk foods that just fill up the body without giving any nutritional value, accelerating decay and deterioration and aging the body.

Overweight is a condition that is bad for the spine, which has to force itself to carry the extra weight, accelerating wearing of discs. If you have overweight, we recommend starting a cleansing diet that helps clean out the body and removing fat and toxins from it.

Natural treatment for herniated discs

Herniated discs are often treated primarily with rest, analgesics and anti-inflammatory therapy. If you also combine this with a proper diet, you can have very positive results; people can recover and return to their usual tasks. In severe cases, they often resort to steroid injections or surgery, which is recommended only if symptoms do not disappear by natural means. It is possible to avoid these alternatives and give opportunity to the natural route to recovery.

Herbal medicine to ease back spasms is usually effective as a muscle relaxant in cases of severe pain.

Physiotherapy is a key to the recovery of disc disease. The therapist or professional can give guidance to care for your spine and help you recover.

In addition to following the diet proposed above, it is recommended to go with a specialist to ask for some optimal exercises. You can also visit a good bio-energy doctor to get help with a massage to relax and slacken the column back.
Overweight should be avoided, as well as carry heavy things.

Home treatment for a herniated disc

This natural treatment will help relieve discomfort:

You need

• Mineral water
• Clay
• Cabbage
• A splash of vinegar

How to use?

Mix enough clay and water until you get a dough. Add a splash of vinegar and cover the painful area with cabbage leaves. Leave it there as long as you can.

About the author