If you are suffering from severe lower back pain that radiates down to your lower leg and is not relieved by any medications, it can be due to lumbar disc herniation. Your surgeon might recommend surgery to treat this condition. But surgery is not the only option to relieve your symptoms. ANF Therapy®️ may help you fix lumbar disc herniation without surgery and medications.
ANF Therapy®️ emerges as the newest treatment option for patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation. It aims to restore the position of the spinal segments, reduce symptoms and provide faster results without any medication or surgery.
Let’s explore how to fix the lumbar disc herniation without surgery with the help of ANF Therapy®️.
What is lumbar disc herniation?
Your spine comprises several vertebral segments, including the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Lumbar segments are the primary support for your lower back. The lumbar spine plays a significant role in protecting the spinal cord, providing structural support, and allowing a wide range of mobility for your lower back.
Lumbar disc herniation results when the inner material of your spinal discs, called nucleus pulposus, bulges out of the disc through a tear or weak point in the outer layer (annulus fibrosus). Lumbar disc herniation is the most common cause of lower back pain, usually unilateral and radicular. It involves the L4-L5 and L5-S1 vertebral segments located at the base of your back.
The severity of pain caused by a herniated disc is not necessarily related to its size. Sometimes, a small herniation can compress nearby nerves in the lower back, resulting in severe pain, while a more significant herniation might cause little to no discomfort. Factors such as the location of the herniation, the degree of nerve involvement, and individual sensitivity play a substantial role in determining the intensity of symptoms.
What are the stages of lumbar disc herniation?
The lumbar disc herniation processes the four stages before complete herniation. These stages are:
- Degeneration
- Extrusion
- Prolapse
- Sequestration
What causes lumbar disc herniation?
Lumbar disc herniation usually occurs when there is a change in the structure of the normal disc. Causes include:
- Degenerative changes
- Trauma to the spine
- Repetitive stress on the spine
- Sudden strain caused by lifting heavy objects that
- Bad posture
- Genetic predisposition
What are the risk factors for lumbar disc herniation?
Multiple factors are involved that increase your risk of having lumbar disc herniation. These factors include:
- Ageing
- Your occupation, like lifting heavy objects, bending or sitting for longer periods
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Performing high-impact activities
What are the signs and symptoms of lumbar disc herniation?
The signs and symptoms of lumbar disc herniation depend upon the location and degree of nerve impingement. However, the most common symptoms of lumbar disc herniation include the following:
- Lower back pain that can be worsened with activities like walking, standing, coughing and sneezing
- Sciatica-like symptoms
- Muscle spasms in lower back
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness and paraesthesia in the leg and foot
- Decreased reflexes of the lower limb on the affected side
- Impairment in the bowel or bladder function
Management of lumbar disc herniation with ANF Therapy®️:
Amino Neuro Frequency (ANF) Therapy®️ is a holistic treatment approach that utilises devices charged with specific frequencies, aiming to modulate the body’s nervous system. This frequency-based treatment aims to address the root cause of pain and inflammation and optimise neural oscillations. Moreover, this therapy is meant to support the body’s own natural healing process to treat various problems, including lumbar disc herniation.
Your ANF therapist will diagnose this condition by taking a detailed history and clinical evaluation.
History:
Patient history is a crucial step in reaching the diagnosis. Your ANF Therapist will take a detailed history from you regarding your disease. This includes the following:
- What are your presenting complaints?
- Which side of your back hurts more?
- Does this pain radiate down to your legs?
- Do you feel numbness or paraesthesia in your leg and foot
- Does this pain affect your daily lifestyle activities?
- Do you have any history of trauma to your lower back?
- Do you smoke?
- What is your occupation?
Physical examination:
Your ANF Therapists will do your physical examination for lumbar disc herniation to assess neurological involvement, identify pain sources, and evaluate functional impairments. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Inspection:
During inspection, your ANF Therapist will inspect your body posture and gait to look for any abnormality in your gait posture. They will also examine your lower back to check muscle asymmetry and the spine’s shape.
Palpation:
During palpation, your ANF Therapists will palpate your lumbar spine to look for.
- Tenderness
- Muscle spasms
- Points of maximal pain.
Range of Motion (ROM) Testing:
In this examination, your ANF Therapists will ask you to perform movements like lumbar flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation, and they will assess any stiffness, limitation or pain during the movements.
Neurological Examination:
In neurological examination, your ANF Therapists will evaluate your motor, sensory, and reflex functions to detect nerve root compression:
Motor assessments:
In motor assessment, your ANF Therapists will examine the strength of your muscles and perform movements to check motor functions.
Sensory assessment:
During the sensory assessment, they will use light touch or pinprick to assess your dermatomal sensations. Such as:
- L4: Medial lower leg.
- L5: Dorsum of the foot and big toe.
- S1: Lateral foot and sole.
Reflex Testing:
Your ANF Therapists will also assess the reflexes of your lower limbs according to the nerve route.
- Patellar reflex: L4 nerve root.
- Achilles reflex: S1 nerve root.
Other special tests:
Your ANF Therapists will also perform other critical physical tests to diagnose diseases. These include:
A-Straight Leg Raise (SLR) Test:
In this test, your ANF Therapists will ask you to be supine and lift your leg straight passively if the pain radiates down to your leg at an angle of 30-70 degrees of elevation. It indicates nerve root irritation or compressions at the L5-S1.
B-Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test:
In this test, your ANF Therapists will elevate your unaffected leg. Pain in the affected leg indicates lumbar disc herniation.
C-Slump Test:
In this test, your ANF Therapists will ask you to slump your back, flex your neck and extend one knee. Pain during this movement in the leg indicated nerve irritation.
D-Femoral Nerve Stretch Test:
In this test, you will lie prone, flex your knee, and extend the hip. Pain in your
anterior thigh during this movement suggests lumbar disc herniation at the L2-L4 level.
Kernig’s Sign:
In this test, your ANF Therapists will ask you to flex the hip and knee and then extend your knee. Pain during this movement indicates nerve root irritation.
What are the red flags of lumbar disc herniation?
The red flag signs of lumbar disc herniation include:
- Saddle anesthesia.
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Severe, progressive weakness.
Application of ANF Devices:
After a complete history and examination, your ANF Therapists will make a treatment plan according to the severity of your disease and apply ANF Devices to the affected areas of your body.
Anti-inflammatory devices are applied to the affected areas of your body. This therapy targets chronic invisible inflammation, which can result from trauma, repetitive movements, poor posture, infections, or ageing. By addressing inflammation, ANF Therapy®️ aims to alleviate pain associated with disc herniation.
Antioxidant devices are also applied along with these anti-inflammatory devices. These devices are meant to remove free radicals from your body and promote tissue healing.
The main aim of the ANF Therapy®️ is:
- To remove inflammation
- Promote tissue repair and healing
- Balance neural oscillations
- Strengthen your core muscles
Expected outcome:
ANF Therapy®️ has successfully treated many patients with lumbar disc herniation, providing quick relief for most individuals shortly after applying ANF Devices. Many patients report reduced pain, improved mobility, and less inflammation within the first session. However, the results may vary depending on the severity of the condition and individual response to the therapy. With continued sessions, ANF Therapy®️ supports long-term healing by addressing the root causes of pain and inflammation.
Start your journey with ANF Therapy®️:
ANF Therapy®️ offers an innovative treatment for managing lumbar disc herniation. This non-pharmacological and non-surgical therapy provides a safe and effective approach that aims to reduce inflammation, strengthen neurological frequencies and decrease muscle tension. If you are suffering from lumbar disc herniation for any reason, consult an ANF practitioner or find an ANF therapist at https://www.anftherapy.com/find-clinic/to start your treatment with ANF Therapy®️ today!
If you’re a healthcare practitioner and want to enhance your clinical skills with frequency medicine, learn more about the ANF Therapy®️ and ANF Clinical education program by visiting www.anfacademy.com.
FAQs:
What is the best treatment for a herniated disc?
ANF Therapy®️ may be the best and most effective treatment option for herniated discs. It aims to address the root causes of inflammation and instability, help reduce discomfort and promote spinal stabilisation without medications or surgery. This innovative approach is designed to support your body’s natural healing processes.Can I climb stairs with a herniated disc?
Climbing stairs can aggravate your herniation pain, potentially worsening your condition. Minimise or completely avoid climbing stairs if you have a herniated disc to prevent additional strain on your spine.
What level of lumbar disc is most commonly herniated?
Herniation most commonly develops in the distal part of your lumbar spine. The most common areas are L4-L5 lumbar segments and L5-S1 lumbosacral segments
Does dehydration damage my discs?
Yes, dehydration can make your discs more prone to degeneration. When the body is dehydrated, the fluid content within the discs decreases, reducing their cushioning ability and increasing resistance, which can lead to pain and inflammation. Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining the health and function of your spinal discs.
