Our GM Nenad Nešić was a speaking guest on the "Glas Zdravlja" specialized medical TV show. Listen to a part of the interview in the video below, which pertains to solving disc herniation issues with the help of FSWT-Focused Shockwave Therapy.
The two most common types of disc herniation are lumbar and cervical syndromes.
In the case of lumbar disc herniation, you may experience back pain due to prolonged sitting in one position or performing the same activities continuously (standing, carrying heavy objects, etc.). This leads to back muscle pain. We often tend to neglect it, which is the first mistake, and our body unmistakably sends us signals that there is a problem.
By continuing activities with pain and without prepared muscles, the process accelerates, leading to degenerative changes in the vertebral body and the disc located between the vertebrae.
In the last stage, neurological pain occurs, caused by the displaced disc pressing on the nerve root that runs along the spine. The pain often "spreads" down the leg and the gluteal area, goes down the back of the thigh, and even to the calf and toes. It is essential not to ignore the pain that radiates in a belt-like manner, indicating central pressure on the spinal cord. This is a more severe phase that people often underestimate.
Treatment of lumbar and cervical disc herniation at our centre:
Back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation is treated with our Protocol 4. Neck pain, or cervical syndrome, is treated with Protocol 2.
This Protocol includes many applicable therapeutic procedures. Let's go through its process:
The first and essential therapy is manipulation, followed by spinal decompression performed on the Chattanooga Triton DTS traction table.
The next therapy applied is the RSQ1 treatment. After that, we conduct kinesiotherapy, where the RSQ1 treatment, using high-frequency current, increases the number of motor units and reduces the inflammatory process. This 21-minute treatment replaces an hour and a half of standard exercise.
The following therapeutic procedure is a combined therapy, involving the application of electrotherapy and ultrasound simultaneously. With this combination of current and ultrasound, using a single gel, we achieve sonophoresis. The devices used are Gymna and Astar.
Subsequently, we perform treatment with the Irradia cold laser, which precisely targets the pain site and reduces inflammatory processes, both at the nerve root and the site of damage.
The last essential therapeutic procedure for this problem is Salus Talent - a high-frequency magnet. With its penetration of over 10 cm, we manage to repair disc damage, act on the inflammatory processes, and promote collagen formation.
In cases of severe disc herniation accompanied by significant radiculopathy, after the 4th or 5th therapy session, hypobaric/vacuum therapy is introduced.
As our modern way of life increasingly ties us to a chair, be it through driving or working at a computer, you adopt an unnatural spinal posture that increases cervical lordosis and is one of the main causes of your problems.
Cervical Syndrome
Cervical syndrome can be divided into segments of the spine where the problem occurs:
- Cervicocephalic – from the first vertebra, Atlas, to the C4 vertebra
- Cervicobrachial – from the C4 vertebra to the Th1 vertebra
Regarding the cervicocephalic syndrome, changes in the first four vertebrae are characteristic, and these changes are often associated with headaches, tension headaches, pain in the occipital region, as well as ringing in the ears.
Very common and unavoidable symptoms that occur in patients manifest as flashes of light before their eyes. These symptoms are often mistaken by patients and attributed to high blood pressure.
Many patients complain of the following symptoms when it comes to cervicobrachial syndrome, which extends from the C4 vertebra to the Th1 vertebra. They complain that their arm is tingling, that it doesn't feel right, often experience pain in the shoulder. These symptoms, when not recognized by the patient, are associated with a shoulder problem.
Numbness and paresthesias that initially occur along the arm usually only appear at night.
People are often awakened by morning pain or just before dawn when tingling intensifies because the disc hydrates and fills with water.
What Does the Recovery and Treatment of Cervical Syndrome Look Like at Our Center?
At Fizionova Center, based on a diagnostic examination (with an MRI scan you bring), along with standardized examinations and tests we conduct, we determine the nature of the problem, and the extent of the damage, and based on that, we determine the further therapeutic procedure.
In our centre, the cervical syndrome is treated using Protocol number 2, which includes:
- Decompression of the cervical spine using the Chattanooga Triton DTS device.
- RSQ1 treatment is a unique method in the Balkans that significantly accelerates recovery (21 minutes of treatment with this device replaces an hour and a half of standard therapy). In the acute phase, it is applied solely through relaxation, and after the second or third treatment, it is combined with kinesiotherapy using the RSQ1 treatment.
- Han Stim treatment with mild current, which relaxes the deep neck muscles.
- The next procedure used is a combined therapy, where we apply TENS and sonophoresis, which is used in neuropathies. It is determined whether it is for cervicobrachial syndrome, which extends along the entire arm, or for cervicocephalic syndrome, which covers the shoulder-blade area.
- Salus Talent electromagnetic stimulator, where lower frequencies are used in the acute phase, and as time passes and recovery occurs, the frequency increases.
- An essential therapeutic procedure in this problem is the application of the cold Irradia laser.
- The final procedure, often applied when we have spasms in the paravertebral muscles and the trapezius, is vacuum therapy
Thoracic Syndrome
The thoracic syndrome involves a range of symptoms related to discomfort, pain, and disturbances in the central, thoracic part of the spine. This area includes 12 vertebrae to which the ribs articulate.
Although less mobile, the central part of the spine is functionally essential because it provides support for the neck, scapular muscles, and lower back muscles. It also plays an active role in maintaining the body in a seated and standing position and serves as a powerful support during movement.
Symptoms of thoracic syndrome:
- Pain, tightness, and stabbing in the central part of the spine
- Radiation of pain to the chest
- Pain during deep breathing
In our physiotherapy centre, thoracic syndrome is treated using Protocol 36. The same protocol is used for the lumbar syndrome, with a ventuza instead of a hypobaric/vacuum bag.
SCHEDULE A PHYSIATRIST'S EXAMINATION
Dr Jelena Kluz-Đurđević, a specialist in physical medicine
After a conversation with the patient, Dr. Jelena will conduct an examination to obtain a more comprehensive view of your health status, helping to determine whether it's an injury or a diagnosis.
The examination lasts for 30 minutes and includes:
Schedule a specialist examination by calling 011 2100 588 for the cost of 4,000 RSD.