Everyday Blog

Many types of diseases and disorders attack a human body and the most damaging and painful disorders of them all are the spine injury or damage. A human being’s spinal column consist of 24 vertebrae and this is again divided into the cervical spine consisting of seven vertebrae, the thoracic spine consisting of 12 vertebrae and the lumbar spine with five vertebrae. The spine has a base bone called sacrum and situated at the end of the sacrum is the coccyx.

Also known as a disc and sometimes referred to as a shock absorbing cushion is situated between each vertebrae pair. The first 23 discs start from the second and third neck vertebreae, and named C2-C3, T5-T6 and L4-L5. The letter ‘C’ stand for cervical, ‘T’ means thoracic and ‘L’ stands for lumbar and ‘S’ for sacrum.

Life threatening situations such as falls, weak muscles, weak supporting muscles and body mechanics can cause damage to these discs. When the outer layer of the disc breaks it opens and causes disc herniation also called subligamentous.

When this condition occurs in the lower back or lumbar spine region, it sometimes affects the cervical and upper back called the thoracic spine too. It applies pressure to the nerve roots this causes lots of pain and numbness to the patient in the affected area. The gel like substance oozes out of the discs once the disc is cracked. Normal methods of x-rays are unable to detect the disorder so MRI or CT scans are used in place.

When the T5 and T6 are herniated it means that the disorder or injury is done to the thoracic spine. The muscles are relaxed when pain killers are administered as medicines for this injury. Physical therapy is the only way to treat the herniated T5 T6 discs as there is no real medicine that can cure this injury it can only suppress the pain and symptoms. In severe cases surgery is required but not always. Physical exercises and bed rest can give relief from numbness.

Activities like walking and less strenuous activities can keep the pain away. Using an ice pack or a hot pack on the affected region 3-4 times a day will provide relief to muscle tension and pain. The best way to recover from herniated disc disorders is to seek physiotherapy. Especially in the case of T5 T6 disorders or injuries are very unbearable but it can be treated.

With proper physical therapy the unstable segment and neutral zone can be controlled. This therapy helps in increasing mobility and allows the patient to walk, climb stairs etc freely. It can improve physical function and prevent disability and give balance to the affected area. The therapy must be concentrated around the muscles, bones, ligaments, nerves etc.

This therapy can be received in hospitals or out patient clinics and fitness centers. A good and experienced physical therapist should be chosen and it is always good to choose someone recommended by friends or relatives. Health insurance companies and family physicians also might suggest good therapists who might do the best therapy for you. Check to find out if he is properly qualified for the job and if he has the necessary certification. Faulty therapy can lead to dangerous physical conditions and make the patient immobile. So care should be taken while selecting the best physical therapist.