Cycling to reverse herniated disc?

Good sports for herniated discs include swimming or cycling… because they ensure the principle of using the body's own weight to stretch the spine.

What should people with herniated discs pay attention to when cycling?

When cycling, you should ride on flat roads, avoid bumpy, bumpy roads with many "potholes" because it can affect the disc that is displaced, causing pain and making the condition worse.

You should pedal gently, go slowly, not fast, and choose a bike with a moderate height, suitable for your height; start by cycling only a short distance, then gradually increase.

When cycling, the back muscles do not move much, allowing the limbs to move more.

Herniated disc is a common disease in both young and old people. If not treated and exercised properly, it will seriously affect the quality of life. Currently, many patients have chosen cycling therapy to push back herniated disc, but the results are not as expected.

Mr. Tong Van Son, 54 years old, living on Nguyen An Ninh street, Hanoi, suffered from a herniated disc nearly 10 years ago.

He said: “Every time I stand up or lie down, I have to ask someone to help me. The doctor advised me to practice swimming, chin-ups, cycling every day... However, I find cycling is the most effective.

“I have been cycling for nearly 3 years, and now I can cycle continuously for 2 hours without getting tired. When I come back, I work much more efficiently. In particular, I no longer have back or spine pain.”

Herniated disc - a common disease in the elderly

According to Dr. Nguyen Vu, Deputy Head of the Department of Spinal Neurosurgery and Orthopedics, Hanoi Medical University Hospital, disc herniation is a very common disease, in which disc herniation of the spine is a common cause of pain in the cervical spine, lumbar spine as well as pain and numbness in the limbs.

Herniated discs in the elderly are mainly caused by degenerative disc disease. As age increases, the discs will become increasingly dry, less flexible and more vulnerable to injury. Herniated discs in young people are caused by injury or bad habits in daily life. When degenerated, it is necessary to exercise to stretch and make the muscles more flexible, thereby significantly reducing the risk of nerve compression. Therefore, hanging on a horizontal bar, swimming or cycling... are extremely good sports because they ensure the principle of using the body's own weight to stretch the spine.

“When the body is active, calcium deposits are less, and calcification is less. Therefore, when the body is active, the ligaments will be very flexible and calcification will not be deposited, and there will be no more symptoms of pain and fatigue. When the muscles and bones are soft, acute pain will not affect much, or will be less painful because the nerve roots are not compressed,” Dr. Vu emphasized.

How to treat herniated disc?

According to Dr. Nguyen Vu, a disc has 3 components: the outermost is the fibrous ring, the middle is the nucleus pulposus (shock absorber). When young, the nucleus pulposus is still good and will circulate to reduce pressure on the spine. When the fibrous ring and nucleus pulposus gradually degenerate, they will lose water, combined with excessive activity or incorrect posture of the spine, which will tear the fibrous ring, leading to compression of the nerve roots and spinal canal, causing spinal pain, which is called a herniated disc.

Many people with spinal disc herniation may have no symptoms and only discover the herniated disc on an X-ray when they go to the doctor by chance. Or the patient may have pain in the lumbar region, or neck and shoulder area that spreads to the arm or down to the buttocks, back of the thigh, back of the calf and possibly the foot, causing numbness and muscle weakness.

Symptoms of pain in the arms and legs may start or increase when coughing, sneezing, or moving the spine. Depending on the severity of the disease, medical treatment may be prescribed for 4-6 sessions without improvement, or if the patient has symptoms of leg atrophy and has been treated with physical therapy, surgery may be required.

Treatment of herniated discs requires special attention to exercise regimen. During the acute period, bed rest is the first important principle. Lying on your back on a hard board with a cushion in the hamstring area slightly flexes the knee and hip joints. Perform physical therapy and reflex therapies: including heat methods such as hot compresses (water bags, roasted salt, roasted bran, betel leaves, hot mugwort leaves); use of electric currents at the physical therapy department, laser treatment; acupuncture. In addition, patients can use anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, muscle relaxant, sedative, nerve-calming drugs and high doses of B vitamins (B1, B6, B12).

Dr. Vu noted that herniated discs in young people are mostly caused by trauma or bad habits in daily life. Therefore, to prevent herniated discs, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease, paying attention to proper posture in work, movement and activities, especially working posture, sitting posture, and heavy lifting. When lifting heavy objects, you should sit down, lift the object, and then slowly stand up, avoid the habit of standing and bending down, lifting heavy objects, and exercise properly./.

According to VOV