SPECIAL PHYSICAL THERAPY
that Promotes Healing after injections,
and Prevents Recurrence.
After each injection 3 sessions of special physical
therapy are necessary in order to promote healing
of the local tissue damage caused by the needle and
to alleviate tenderness. Physical therapy consists
of moist heat and a special type of electric stimulation,
which will feel like a soothing, relaxing, and very
pleasant massage. The electric stimulation is very
important, particularly in the days following the
injections, because it squeezes out the developing
swelling, increases blood circulation that washes
away irritating debris, and so alleviates tenderness
while promoting healing. Without physical therapy,
there is prolonged tenderness and limitation of function
due to the reactive inflammation in the needled tissue.
The third component of physical therapy is also critically
important and consists of special relaxation exercises
and postural corrections. The goal is to prevent recurrence
and to alleviate muscle spasm. Only a regular exercise
regime at home will achieve the goal to improve the
condition, alleviate pain, and prevent its recurrence.
The most important member of the treating team is
the patient, because only the patient can perform
the exercises on a regular basis, which is the key
to success.
IDENTIFICATION AND REMOVAL OF FACTORS
THAT CAUSE TRIGGER POINTS, MUSCLE SPASM,
AND SEGMENTAL SENSITIZATION.
There are multiple factors that can cause trigger
points and muscle spasm. It is of crucial importance
for improvement of pain, as well as prevention of
its recurrence, to identify all the factors involved.
Postural deficiencies, such as loss of the normal
neck or lumbar curve, psychological tension, vitamin
deficiencies, mineral disorders, and several other
conditions may cause trigger points and consequently
Spinal Segmental Sensitization.
NON-SURGICAL TREATMENT OF DISC DISEASE.
The above injections and physical therapy approaches
can alleviate pain and restore function even in the
presence of a herniated disc. Alleviation of spasm
in paraspinal muscles relieves nerve root compression
caused by the herniated disc. The Paraspinous Block
achieves this effect by desensitization of the spinal
segment, which plays a crucial role in the pain mechanisms.
