Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My brother is suffering from severe back pain in lower part. He is unable to do any daily activities.

MRI result of him is below

L4-5 SHALLOW BROAD BASED ECCENTRIC DISC HERNIATION CAUSING THECAL AND RIGHT SIDED L5 NEURAL COMPROMISES.

Please suggest some good treatment for this condition. Thanks in advance.

ANSWER: Although I'm not a physician or neurosurgeon, I can tell you that your brother has a herniated disc in his low back that is interfering with the sac covering the spinal cord as well as affecting the nerves coming out of the right side of his 5th lumbar vertebra.

I typically suggest that people avoid surgery until there is no other choice.  Surgery doesn't always fix the problem and sometimes, it can make things worse.  Therefore, I recommend slow stretching exercises such as yoga along with exercises to strengthen the abdominal muscles.  Weak stomach muscles allow the low back to be strained easier.  Stretching helps relieve some of the pain associated with muscle tightness that happens in the injured area due to the body guarding the area from further injury.

Your brother's best option is to ask his doctor what to do.  The doctor has access to all the films, MRIs, and his full medical history.  His opinion is far more reliable than anyone can give blindly over the internet.

Thank you for your question, Jaya.  I hope that my answer was helpful.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks a lot doctor Jerry. as you suggested my brother's consulting doctor's too suggested exercise only. I heard about machine based treatment for this, that is the reason i posted this question. if you have any such details, please pass me. Also let me know if we leave this condition as is now, what would be the effects in future.

He being just 23, is laying at bed all the day, is totally frustrated. Please help us with some good suggestions.

Thanks Again

Jaya

Answer
While there are machines that perform passive traction on a patient, this treatment is usually used on bulging discs.  There is no evidence that they are beneicial to herniated discs.

Left untreated, the current condition will get worse over time because without exercise, your brother will continue to lose muscle tone and muscle strength in the area and in his abdominals.  The exercise is really important to preventing additional damage.

Thank you for your follow-up question, Jaya.  I hope that my answer was helpful.