From the Guidelines
Yes, this comprehensive treatment plan could potentially help induce nutrition and circulation back into the herniated spinal discs. The proposed regimen combines several evidence-based approaches that may work synergistically to promote disc healing:
- Spinal decompression therapy can reduce pressure on the discs, allowing for improved blood flow and nutrient exchange.
- Wobble chair exercises and core strengthening may improve spinal stability and posture.
- Oxygen therapy could enhance tissue oxygenation and cellular repair processes.
- Class 3B laser therapy may reduce inflammation and stimulate cellular metabolism in the affected area, as supported by low-quality evidence showing that LLLT slightly improved pain compared with sham laser 1.
- Chiropractic manipulation can improve spinal alignment and mobility, with low-quality evidence showing that spinal manipulation slightly improved pain compared with an inert treatment 2.
- Anti-inflammatory diet and supplements may help reduce overall inflammation in the body.
- Vibration massage can increase blood flow to the area. The combination of these treatments over a 2-month period may create an environment conducive to disc healing by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue repair, as recommended by the American College of Physicians for patients with chronic low back pain 3. However, individual results may vary, and it's crucial to work closely with healthcare providers to monitor progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. Patients should also be aware that complete resolution of a 15 mm disc herniation may require more time or additional interventions in some cases.
From the Research
Treatment of Herniated Intervertebral Disc
The treatment regimen consisting of spinal decompression therapy, wobble chair exercise, oxygen therapy, class 3B laser application, chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment, vibration massage, and anti-inflammatory diet with supplements may induce nutrition and circulation in a herniated intervertebral disc (L5-S1 and L4-L5) measuring 15 millimeters.
Key Components of the Treatment Regimen
- Spinal decompression therapy: Studies have shown that non-surgical spinal decompression therapy can be effective in resorption of herniation and increasing disc height in patients with lumbar disc herniation 4.
- Chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment: This treatment approach has been identified as having moderate evidence of effectiveness for the conservative treatment of lumbar disc herniation associated with radiculopathy 5.
- Exercise therapy: Exercise therapy, including wobble chair exercise, has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation 5.
- Anti-inflammatory diet with supplements: An anti-inflammatory diet with supplements may help reduce inflammation and promote healing in the affected area.
Effectiveness of the Treatment Regimen
While the exact treatment regimen mentioned is not specifically studied in the provided evidence, the individual components have been shown to be effective in treating lumbar disc herniation. A study on the clinical treatment of lumbar disc herniation found that a combination of treatments, including radiofrequency ozone and injection of anti-inflammatory analgesic solution, can obtain good short-term and medium-term effects in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation 6. Another study found that non-surgical approaches, including physical therapy modalities and alternative therapies, can be effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with lumbar disc herniation associated with radiculopathy 5.
Considerations
- The size of the herniated disc (15 millimeters) may affect the effectiveness of the treatment regimen. Larger herniations may require more aggressive treatment approaches.
- The location of the herniated disc (L5-S1 and L4-L5) is a common area for lumbar disc herniation, and treatment approaches may vary depending on the specific location and severity of the herniation 7, 8.