Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Herniated Discs
A herniated disc is a fragment of the disc nucleus that is pushed out of the annulus, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture in the annulus. Discs that herniate are usually in an early stage of degeneration. The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Because of this displacement, the disc presses on the spinal nerves, often producing pain, which can be severe.
Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine. Herniated discs are most common in the lower back (lumbar spine), but they also occur in the neck (cervical spine). The area in which pain is experienced depends on which part of the spine is affected. A single excessive strain or injury can cause a herniated disc. However, the disc material naturally degenerates as one ages, and the ligaments that hold it in place begin to weaken. As this degeneration progresses, a relatively minor twisting or strain can cause a disc to rupture.
According to Chinese Medicine, hernia is caused by Qi Stagnation (Qi is the energy that circulates through the meridians), Blood Stasis or Stagnation, and Kidney and Liver Insufficiency most commonly. This disease is related to the bone pinching the nerve which can lead to severe sciatica. As there is a lack of Qi (energy), the Blood does not circulate as it should and the body weakens, especially the muscles that are not well nourished causing the patient to feel pain.
Chinese Medicine treats hernia with acupuncture, cupping, tuina, moxa, auriculotherapy and electroacupuncture techniques. The combination of these techniques provides a very effective result and allows the patient to stop feeling pain in just a few treatment sessions. Although this condition cannot be cured because it affects the shape of the bone, Chinese Medicine treatment can relieve pain and improve the patient’s quality of life.
Conclusión: El siguiente estudio demuestra que el tratamiento con acupuntura es significativamente más eficaz que la terapia de rehabilitación tradicional para mejorar la función de los músculos paraespinales, reducir la infiltración de grasa muscular y aliviar el dolor lumbar y de piernas en pacientes con hernia de disco lumbar (LDH). Específicamente, la acupuntura aumenta significativamente las áreas transversales (Sm, Se, Sp) de los músculos paraespinales y reduce la infiltración de grasa muscular, mostrando resultados superiores a largo plazo en el alivio del dolor y la mejora funcional. Las investigaciones futuras deberían explorar más a fondo los efectos a largo plazo de la acupuntura en la función y la estructura de los músculos paraespinales, evaluar su potencial para prevenir la recurrencia de la LDH y profundizar en cómo la acupuntura afecta a los músculos paraespinales a nivel molecular, para comprender mejor sus mecanismos terapéuticos y mejorar su aplicación clínica.
