Lumbar disc herniation is a serious condition that mainly manifests as lower back pain or numbness in the legs. There are many treatment methods for lumbar disc herniation, and people often use lumbar support belts to alleviate the symptoms. There are many types of lumbar support belts available on the market, so how do you choose a good one?
【How to Choose a Good Lumbar Support Belt】
Lumbar support belts, as the name suggests, are used to protect the waist. They are the choice for most people who sit or stand for long periods of time. There are many types of lumbar support belts available on the market, with prices ranging from tens to hundreds of yuan. When choosing, you must consider your own needs and pay attention to the following principles.
1. Comfort
For protecting the lumbar spine, the lumbar support belt is worn around the waist, not the hips. Wearing it around the waist may feel constricting, but this constriction should be comfortable, giving a sense of "standing up" in the waist. This comfortable lumbar support is what you need.
2. Sufficient Firmness
A lumbar support belt used for treatment must have a certain degree of firmness to support and distribute the force on the waist. A lumbar support belt that can protect the waist should have iron bars that are as rigid as "steel bars" in the waist area. You can try bending it with your hand. If it takes a lot of effort to bend it, it means that the firmness is sufficient.
3. Choose According to Your Own Needs
For those with lumbar muscle strain or lumbar disc degeneration causing lower back pain, it is recommended to choose a lumbar support belt with elasticity or even breathability. This type of lumbar support belt is relatively comfortable to wear and fits closely to the body. Fashion-conscious women can wear it under their coats, where it is barely visible and does not affect aesthetics.
For those who have had lumbar spine surgery or have unstable or slipped lumbar discs, it is recommended to use a very firm lumbar support belt to better protect the lumbar spine. As for lumbar support belts with therapeutic effects such as magnet therapy or infrared radiation, they are generally more expensive. You can choose according to your own situation, but the firmness of the lumbar support belt is the most important factor.
【Diet for Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients】
1. Yam and Chestnut Congee
Ingredients: 15-30g yam, 50g chestnuts, 2-4 jujube dates, 100g glutinous rice.
Method: Peel the chestnuts and cook them with yam, jujube dates, and glutinous rice to make congee.
Efficacy: Yam has a sweet and mild nature, and can nourish the spleen, stomach, lungs, and kidneys. It is especially suitable for those with spleen and kidney qi deficiency. However, it should not be consumed excessively at one time, as it may cause indigestion.
2. Dried Tangerine Peel and Three Seven Stewed Frog
Ingredients: 2 skinless, headless, and gutted frogs (about 200g), 15g powdered three seven, 4 jujube dates without pits.
Method: Put all the ingredients in a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of water, bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 1-2 hours. Drink the soup and eat the meat. Take once a day. This dish can invigorate the qi, promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain.
Efficacy: It is used for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation caused by qi deficiency and blood stasis, and weakness of the spleen and stomach.
3. Guizhi Honghua San (Cinnamon Twig and Safflower Powder)
Ingredients: 15g cinnamon twig, 15g purple gromwell root, 15g Chinese knotweed root, 15g Herba Ecliptae, 15g Radix Bupleuri, 20g safflower, 10g sandalwood, 10g polygonum multiflorum, 10g papaya, 10g myrrh, 50g rhubarb.
Method: Put all the above herbs in a 15cm x 20cm cloth bag, tie it tightly, put it in a pot, add an appropriate amount of water, boil for a few minutes, and then put the pot on an electric stove to keep warm.
Efficacy: Lie on your stomach, fully expose the affected area, place a single layer of treatment towel on it, soak a sterilized towel in the medicinal solution, remove and wring it dry, fold it and apply it to the affected area. Repeat this process until the skin in the affected area turns red. Apply once a day.
4. Yam and Chestnut Congee
Ingredients: 15-30g yam, 50g chestnuts, 2-4 jujube dates, 100g glutinous rice.
Method: Peel the chestnuts and cook them with yam, jujube dates, and glutinous rice to make congee.
Efficacy: Yam has a sweet and mild nature, and can nourish the spleen, stomach, lungs, and kidneys. It is especially suitable for those with spleen and kidney qi deficiency. However, it should not be consumed excessively at one time, as it may cause indigestion.
【How to Properly Wear a Lumbar Support Belt for Lumbar Disc Herniation Patients】
The lumbar support belt is a protective device for the waist, which can limit the movement of the lumbar spine, reduce the strain on the muscles of the waist and back, and promote local rest of the intervertebral discs, thereby relieving and improving the pressure in the intervertebral space to some extent.
1. Duration of Wear:
Lumbar support belts can provide protection for lumbar disc herniation patients after minimally invasive surgery. The recommended duration of use is 3-6 weeks, and should not exceed 3 months. The specific duration can be adjusted according to the condition.
2. Restrictions on Wear:
Wearing a lumbar support belt does not guarantee complete safety, so it is still necessary to avoid excessive movement of the waist. It is sufficient to be able to complete normal daily activities and work.
3. Size of the Belt:
When choosing a lumbar support belt, lumbar circumference and length should be taken into consideration. The upper edge should reach the upper edge of the ribs, and the lower edge should extend below the buttock cleft. The back of the belt should be flat or slightly convex, and not excessively flat or convex.
4. Exercise Techniques:
First, avoid sitting for long periods of time. Research has shown that the stress on the waist is greater when sitting than standing or lying down, so try to reduce prolonged sitting. Secondly, women are advised not to wear high heels frequently, as it can increase the risk of lumbar strain. Avoid bending over, especially when lifting heavy objects. If you need to lift heavy objects, squat down instead of bending over to avoid injuring the waist.
