[Review] Non-surgical treatment methods for spinal stenosis (disc.

Hello. This is Sunja 🙄

Today, I would like to share information about spinal stenosis and herniated discs.

In February 2020, I suddenly experienced lower back pain, and neither bending, lying down, nor sitting in any position was comfortable. The pain was so severe that I didn't know what to do, and I struggled through it. Standing was actually the most comfortable position for me.

Due to severe pain, I received a pain-relief IV drip and was prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication at a nearby hospital. I then visited a traditional Korean medicine clinic and underwent two weeks of acupuncture and chuna therapy, thinking I was getting better. However, after nearly two months, while preparing dinner for my child, I suddenly experienced the same symptoms again.

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I couldn't even put on socks by myself, and whenever I coughed, it felt like my lower back was about to separate from the rest of my body.

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Actually, I had previously received treatment for a similar symptom in my mid-20s, so I thought, "This must be a disc issue?!" As my lower back condition gradually worsened, this time I visited a specialized spinal orthopedic clinic instead of an oriental medicine clinic.

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Upon arriving at the hospital, I immediately completed the registration, took an X-ray, and then saw the doctor. The doctor said there was nothing visible on the X-ray that could be confirmed. I then scheduled an MRI for the same day and returned to the hospital at the appointed time. (But why isn't the MRI done immediately? Each hospital requires a new appointment and a return visit.) As expected, the discs at levels 3, 4, and 5 showed early signs of disc issues, and among them, disc 4 was slightly herniated, with the nerve slightly torn. Fortunately, it is not yet at a stage requiring surgery, and we decided to monitor the condition after receiving injection treatment.

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Treatment for a herniated disc in the lower back is generally divided into non-surgical and surgical treatments. The method of treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition.

Non-surgical treatment

Medication therapy, steroid injection (intervertebral disc herniation site)

※ Surgical treatment

Microscopic disc surgery, endoscopic high-frequency laser disc surgery

I directly injected steroid medication into the disc number 4, which is causing the most pain. Naturally, since it was an injection, it was prickly, and as the medication was administered, I felt a stinging sensation along with a dull ache that extended to my leg.

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Since the medication is directly administered to the nervous system, side effects such as dizziness, vomiting, fever, and hormonal issues like menstrual irregularities in women can occur. She sat me in a wheelchair and moved me to the recovery room, saying I could walk, but I chose not to and sat down instead. I remember feeling a bit embarrassed 🤣