【Slipped Disc – Part 1 ｜ How to Prevent Severe Pain from Striking Again】
- 田澤 大輔
- Aug 10, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
You can only truly understand the excruciating pain of a slipped disc once you have experienced it yourself.
For those who are going through it right now, those who have experienced it in the past, and those who never want to face it again, I’d like to share what you can do: immediately after it happens, and the countermeasures that can help.
image by storyset on Freepik
Severe Low Back Pain and Fear
Among patients with a slipped disc, some can move fairly well, some cannot move at all, some move very slowly, and some find it difficult to start moving but once they do, it becomes easier.
Others may be fine with light movements such as walking, but struggle to stand up depending on the chair they sit on.
Many of these patients ask me:
“Do I really have a slipped disc?”
There is no single, clear definition of a slipped disc, and symptoms may sometimes improve - or worsen - naturally over time.
That is one of the most difficult and fascinating aspects of the human body.
Some patients cannot move at all on the treatment table due to severe pain.
The tension from the pain may even disturb their breathing.
In such cases, I would say it is almost certainly a slipped disc.
When You Have a Slipped Disc – 2 Things to Remember
First of all, I do not recommend that people who are “completely unable to move” try to visit the clinic right away.
Forcing yourself to get here can make things worse.
Instead, the most important things to remember at that stage are:
1. Relax Your Mind and Body
Try to be as comfortable as possible and stay away from work and stress. Of course, this is easier said than done. However, a slipped disc does not always come from lifting heavy objects - psychological factors such as pressure and stress often play a significant role.
2. Move Within Your Comfort Range
Move parts of your body that are away from your lower back, such as your hands or feet. Your brain, overwhelmed by pain and fear, is constantly telling your body to tense up. But if you can move even one part of your body comfortably, your brain receives the message:
“It’s safe to make this movement.”
This sense of security is very important.
The speed at which you can progress from step 1 to step 2 varies greatly from person to person, so please take it slowly without rushing. It is also not a good idea to do nothing out of fear. Keep moving within your comfort range - without pushing yourself.
How to Stay Calm During Severe Pain
By gradually practicing steps 1 and 2, you may still feel pain, but you will begin to regain calmness.
Even if it’s still hard to move freely, you will be able to observe your situation more clearly and think about the best next step.
This calmer state is the best timing to begin treatment.
This blog post focuses on what you can do for self-care before visiting the clinic.
But of course, once you come to see me, I will do my very best to treat your pain and symptoms.
In my experience, the synergy of the patient’s effort and my treatment produces the best results time and time again.
Even after you begin treatment, please continue practicing step 1 (“resting your mind and body”) and step 2 (“moving within your comfort range”).
Slipped disc pain is often accompanied by feelings of anger or sadness. If this applies to you, please don’t keep it to yourself. Feel free to talk to me if you are comfortable.
Negative emotions such as stress, anger, and sadness can actually intensify physical pain - and I don’t mean that as a metaphor. Releasing these emotions, as much as possible, can support the healing process of your body.
Primary Care in Treatment
During treatment, the patient will be placed in the most comfortable position.
I carefully confirm the location of pain, assess the range of movement, and examine the affected nerves.
By proceeding carefully with this process, recovery can be promoted.
This is what I value as primary care.
In Closing
In this blog post, I’ve shared what I would like you to remember and practice when you experience a slipped disc.
In the next post, I will explain the treatment process for slipped disc at my practice.
💻 WEB booking： Here
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Akabanebashi St. 2 min
Azabujuban St. 7 min
Shibakoen St. 9 min
Kamiyacho St. 9 min
If you are suffering from acute lower back pain (slipped disc) in Minato-ku or Azabu, please feel free to consult me.
Daisuke Tazawa
BODYWORKS AZABU
◎ Images designed by Freepik
