The vertebrae of the spinal column are separated by disks made of cartilage. Each disk has a strong outer layer and a softer inner part that acts as a shock absorber to cushion the vertebrae during movement. If the disk degenerates, for example following an injury or with aging, the inner part of the disk can bulge or rupture through the outer layer, herniated disk. The ruptured inner part of the disk can compress or irritate a nerve root and may even injure it.
Most ruptured disks are in the lower back, lumbar spine, and usually affect only one leg. Such a rupture can cause pain not only in the lower back but also down the sciatic nerve, which runs from the spinal column to the buttocks, leg and heel, sciatica pain. Ruptured disks in the lower back can also cause leg weakness with foot-drop. If a ruptured disk is very large and centrally located in the spinal column, it can affect nerves regulating bowel and bladder function and make urgent medical attention necessary. Symptoms may come on suddenly, spontaneously disappear and return at intervals or may be constant and long lasting.
The second most common place for a ruptured disk is the neck, cervical spine. Symptoms usually affect only one arm. If a disk in the cervical spine is ruptured, it usually causes the pain in the shoulder blade and armpit or in the upper ridge and tip of the shoulder, which travels down the arm to one or two fingers. The muscles in the arm can become weak and finger movement is affected.
The symptoms help a doctor make the diagnosis. The physical examination reveals positive signs. Spinal x-rays can show narrowing of the disk space, but computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans more clearly identify the problem.
Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Chinese Meridians Massage: to relax muscles, reduce muscle spasms, relieve the pain and hasten recovery.
Acupuncture: to improve blood circulation, promote energy flow and subside the
inflamation therefore relieves the pain from ruptured disk.
Traction: it is a means of pulling on the spinal column to increase the space between the vertebrae, relieve the pressure of the ruptured disk and the spinal nerves. We offer the air pumped neck traction which also improve the blood supply to the neck and brain to release many kind of symptoms caused by cervical disease. Many patients benefit from the traction.
For more information, please call Dr. Liyan Lu at 661-513-9265, Ping’s Acupuncture and Herbs Center.