These diseases are the most common “Movement System” diseases that we call “Locomotor System”. Because the developing technology and related sedentary lifestyles lead to weakening of the neck, back and waist muscles, along with the looseness of the abdominal muscles, excess weight and physical exertion, cases of waist and neck hernia are frequently encountered.
How does a “hernia” occur? Let’s answer this question first:
Discs are cushions that fill between the vertebrae and act as a “shock absorber”. It contains structural support elements (collagen fibers, water, proteoglycan etc.). With advancing age, trauma and physical exertion, these pads overflow in various directions backwards. If these overflows exceed certain limits, they cause symptoms such as pain and loss of sensation spreading along the extensions of that nerve by pressing on the nerve roots around them.
There may also be weakening and loss of reflexes. If these problems are caused by the neck, pain spreading to the neck, back and arms or decreased sensation, if caused by the waist, pain and loss of sensation, which is generally called sciatic pain, spread to the thigh, knee, leg and heel, and toes. Although the pain is usually continuous, it increases with sneezing, laughing, breathing, standing still and sitting for a long time, and decreases with bed rest.
Acupuncture should not be considered as a symptomatic form of treatment aimed only at relieving pain in this type of diseases related to the “Movement System”. To treat the cause of the pain. If the subject is lumbar and neck hernia and the patient is well chosen, permanent healing can be achieved with only acupuncture treatment, without the use of medication and surgical methods.
Now let’s explain how this can happen:
The human body can be compared to a pharmaceutical factory that produces many biochemical substances. It reproduces, stores and, when necessary, secretes the nutrients (raw materials) entering the body through many processes. These drugs in the body are secreted by the acupuncture method as much as the body needs and without side effects. However, in oral artificial drugs, it is not easy to adjust the required dose to the body. In addition, the side effects of these drugs can sometimes damage different organs and systems of the body. For example; While trying to relieve the patient’s low back pain, we may harm his stomach as a result of drugs -even though we don’t want to. In short, we can disrupt that delicate balance in the body. Acupuncture, on the contrary, establishes balances. Approaches in classical medicine in lumbar and neck hernia are as follows:
- Surgical intervention
- Preventive therapy (Physical therapy and rehabilitation with drug therapy)
Now acupuncture in the treatment of waist and neck hernia As a third method, it has gained a respectable place all over the world.
Look at the mechanism of acupuncture in the treatment of back and neck hernia, how does it work?
- With body and ear acupuncture or just ear acupuncture, it solves the edema in the hernia area thanks to the depot cortisone output in the body. It also greatly reduces pain as it relieves pressure.
- In the first session, the pain relieving effect first manifests itself, and the patient’s pain decreases. In the next sessions, the therapeutic effect shows itself and the hernia begins to regress anatomically. At this stage, the biochemical-biophysical process is operated. The muscles around the spine (paravertebral) are strengthened, posture (posture) is improved. Locally, blood circulation increases and the repair mechanism begins to work. Degeneration (deterioration) in the structures that make up the disc stops and these structural elements begin to regenerate.
- The “Immune System” of the body is strengthened. This effect appears more clearly in the treatment of allergic diseases (allergic asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.). In this way, as a result of the strengthening of the paravertebral muscles, the patient’s posture improves first. The patient, who is bent sideways or hunched over, straightens up. Strengthening these muscles also helps the hernia material to return. Some stretching exercises given to the patient are also very important at this stage.
It should be noted that; During the acupuncture treatment, the patient can continue his normal life. It does not require absolute bed rest. Thus, loss of workforce is prevented. In addition, acupuncture treatment does not include the side effects of drug treatment and the risks of surgical treatments. If the patient has passed the stage that can be healed with acupuncture and has entered an irreversible process, of course, surgical treatment will be applied.
Our aim is to explain the effect of acupuncture on these diseases with such articles; to raise awareness of the society about acupuncture, which is unknown and unfortunately very abused, and to ensure that people can consult “Acupuncture Specialist Medical Doctors” whose authorities are approved by the Turkish Ministry of Health.
