There are many types of hernias. However, the most common hernia types are waist, neck and umbilical hernias. Each hernia has its own unique symptoms. It is a type of disease that seriously impairs a person’s quality of life if left untreated. Although it is a type of disease that is mostly seen in older ages, hernia is also encountered at young ages due to many factors. Not every pain is a sign of hernia. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist doctor for persistent pain.
Does hernia pain hit the leg?
Hernia pain is a condition that lowers the standard of living of a person. If it is not intervened in time, it can lead to limitation of movement. Hernia pain in the leg is mostly caused by the lumbar region. There are a total of five vertebrae and discs in the waist. The discs between the vertebrae begin to wear out due to the pressure on the lumbar region. As a result of this wear, the gel-like fluid in the disc comes out and goes towards the spinal canal. This puts pressure on the nerves in the legs. Therefore, hernias that occur in the lumbar region also affect the leg region. There are many factors that cause lumbar hernia. Some of these factors are:
- long hours of inactivity
- Lifting very heavy things
- Do not make movements that force the lumbar region
- Don’t give birth too much
- Aging
- Don’t be too fat
- Degeneration
Lumbar hernia is a condition to be considered. If hernia pain is not intervened, it can cause more serious health problems in the future. For this reason, it is recommended to consult a physical therapist or neurosurgeon for long-lasting and persistent low back pain or leg pain.
How is the pain of hernia hitting the leg?
The main source of hernia pain in the leg is disc ruptures in the lumbar region. Herniation in the lumbar region often causes pain in the hips and legs. While these pains are sometimes mild, sometimes they can be severe. It is very important to see a doctor in severe leg pain. In addition, the cause of every leg pain may not be caused by a hernia. Strengthening the muscles is of great importance in leg pain caused by herniated disc. Weakness or weakness in the muscles can cause more pain. Many doctors do not recommend using random drugs for this type of pain.
Physical therapy is the most effective method for relieving leg pain caused by herniated disc. In physical therapy, many treatment methods are applied to reduce pain. If a hernia is diagnosed, physical therapy and, if the doctor deems it necessary, medication is started. In more advanced hernias, surgical procedure may be required. For this reason, it is of great importance to consult a doctor who is an expert in the field without wasting time for leg pain that wakes him from sleep and lasts for weeks. Other symptoms of hernia pain in the leg in general are as follows:
- Numbness in the right or left leg or both legs
- Increased pain when moving the legs
- Feeling of weakness in the leg muscles and fatigue quickly
- cramps in legs
The cause of every leg pain may not be herniated disc. Rheumatic or mechanical low back pain also causes leg pain. Therefore, it is of great importance to consult a physical therapy doctor who is specialized in the field without wasting time in long-lasting leg pain and limitation of movement.
What is good for hernia pain in the leg?
Movement restriction can be seen in people with hernia pain that hits the leg. People may have difficulty using their legs or even walking. Hernia pain hitting the leg is called sciatic pain in medical language. Sciatic pain puts pressure on the nerves in the legs. As a result of this situation, numbness, tingling sensation, numbness and burning in the legs can be experienced. Especially standing a lot or sitting a lot, on the contrary, paves the way for the formation of hernias. Hernia is more common in people who work at a desk. There are some herbal methods to reduce these pains. We can list the following methods as a herbal solution for hernia pain in the leg:
- Consuming chamomile tea, which has a muscle relaxant effect, to reduce the pain caused by hernia
- Applying turmeric, which is a natural pain reliever, to a sore leg
- Applying a hot complex to the aching area
- applying hot ginger root to the aching leg area
The herbal methods listed above can be applied in hernia pain in the leg. However, as with everything, it is recommended to get approval from a physical therapy doctor specialized in the field before doing any application. It is very important to get doctor’s approval before trying herbal treatment methods.
Exercises for hernia pain that hits the leg
One of the main causes of leg pain is herniated disc disease. However, every leg pain does not mean that there is a herniated disc. It is important to see a specialist physical therapy physician to find out what causes these pains. In addition to physical therapy and drug use, exercise is also of great importance in relieving pain. Staying inactive for long hours causes both hernias and increased pain. Therefore, it is necessary to exercise to relieve pain. However, it is extremely important to perform these exercises under the supervision of a physician. Movements performed without a physician’s advice may injure the lumbar region and lead to more serious injuries. Exercises for common leg hernia pain include:
- taking a walk regularly
- To ride a bike
- To swim
- Running at a slow pace
Apart from these exercises, doctors recommend bending the legs from the knees and pulling them to the abdomen or placing a pillow under the legs while lying down. These positions play a big role in relaxing the spine.