Hello, everyone; we are here to share the contest for week 6, the final week of Steemit Learning Challenge season 21. I am grateful to all the users who participated in all weeks and supported my course, and thankful to the Steemit team for this opportunity. I invite all the users to share their unique participation and try to gain maximum grades to get selected as the winner of the Steemit Engagement Challenge season 21, week 6. ![Travel YouTube Thumbnail in Pastel Green and Dark Pink Information Style_20241201_205202_0000.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmd6P5r9h7DHzgy8UMR5cFVQmJ8baRC2fpqms2riPaBiw6/Travel%20YouTube%20Thumbnail%20in%20Pastel%20Green%20and%20Dark%20Pink%20Information%20Style_20241201_205202_0000.png) [Canva](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGUxXwBICw/E-__H3TCP5U0mzaffF_3bg/edit?utm_content=DAGUxXwBICw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=sharebutton) ## Disc Herniation Disc Herniation is a condition that occurs more commonly in the geriatric population (which means old age people), in which age-related wear and tear occur. In disc herniation also known as slipped disc, there are 2 components annulus fibrosis and nucleus pulposus, in this condition nucleus pulposus is a soft gel-like structure in the center of the spinal disc tear and then bulge out that causes reduced in disc space and further wear & tear started. Due to this, it also compress the surrounding structures like nerves, muscles, tendon and ligaments. But most commonly are nerve compression especially sciatic nerve. Till I have found out that the most common cause of it is sedentary lifestyle in young ages and then started excessive work in old age that puts pressure on the discs like wrong posture while picking things or lifting heavy weight and many more causes. ## Types There are 3 types of disc herniation on the level of the region involve; * Cervical Disc Herniation * If cervical region is involved and age-related wear & tear occur. C1-C7 vertebrae ( C1-C8 nerves) * Thoracic Disc Herniation * If thoracic region or upper back involve T1-T12 * Lumbar Disc Herniation ( most common) * If lumbar region or lower back involve L1-L5 ## Causes The common causes of disc herniation are below: * Overuse or repetitive pressure especially on lumbar region (lower back) * Age-related wear * Obese or overweight patients * Wrong posture while lifting heavy objects or picking from the ground. * Genetics (the disease running from generation to generation) ## Symptoms The common symptoms shown in disc herniation patients are: * Back Pain (more common lower back pain in lumbar region) * Sciatica (pain following the path of sciatic nerve from back of buttocks, thighs, leg and in severe cases foot too) * Cervical ( neck pain) & arm pain if cervical region discs involve. * Numbness & tingling sensation due to nerve compression. * Weakness either in upper body like arms, neck and lower body in thigh, legs, foot. ## Diagnosis Disc Herniation diagnosis can be made by different methods, but commonly used are imaging tests like X-ray to check any overgrowth of bone, disc space reduction, MRI to assess the ligaments or muscles affected, also nerve compression due to slipped disc, physical examination and past medical history or family history taking as it is important for diagnosis of any patient. ## Special Tests In physiotherapy, we perform some special tests to confirm the diagnosis. ##Cervical Region: * For cervical region, we perform the the special tests cervical flexion, extension test, spurling's test, cervical compression test, cervical rotation, apprehension test ( shoulder instability). * For thoracic region, schober's test (assessing thoracic flexion, and limitations), thoracic spine extension test, rotation test (pain assessment, pain provocation, and rotation). * For lumbar region, straight leg raise, femoral nerve stretch, lumbar flexion, extension test and valsalva test. ### Physical Therapy Intervention for Disc Herniation (lumbar region) Physical therapy interventions for disc herniation (lumbar region) for weeks to months to regain normal range of motion or performing activities of daily living and subside the symptoms. Here are a few exercise videos that you have to perform to treat disc herniation patients. Treatment protocol vary from patient to patient. But the main thing is you have to evaluate the exact cause of disc herniation either it's due to overgrowth of bone or age related wear and tear. We can treat this condition symptomatically not completely. I am sharing the exercises of lumbar disc herniation because it's most common type and secondly we can't cover 3 regions in one lesson as it would be difficult for all students.

### Hip Bridging Exercise This the exercise to strengthen your back muscles, glutes and core muscles. As the lumbar region muscles become weak after herniation so, work on the strengthening of these muscles required. If you feel pain is aggravating with this avoid this exercise.

https://youtu.be/v6_GqeEH_F0?si=XofTTME8pp50eKK6

### William Flexion ( knee to chest stretch) This exercise is perform to strengthen your hamstrings muscles, also improve, range of motion, pain in back region, to stretch the muscles below your back of the thigh. https://youtu.be/yVy4L0CGbyQ?si=oPsKG74UFMwKzKz5

### Cat & Cow Stretch Exercise Improve range of motion, flexibility, posture, strength, balance, stress and relaxation, and reduce stiffness. This is one of the best exercise for improving your back pain.

https://youtu.be/fcnv4gyMzf8?si=ZZcMIAKMrLZFYHHP

### Piriformis Stretch Piriformis stretch is to improve piriformis muscle working, as in some cases piriformis muscle tighten due to pain and inflammation so stretching is important to lengthen the shortened muscles. It's also improve posture, flexibility, reduce tightness, improve hip mobility, and circulation of blood.

https://youtu.be/mT-3b4rgRzg?si=dudmg9uPGN5JDDLB ### Sciatic Nerve Glides It's important to relieve pain, inflammation, and pressure on sciatic nerve . Improve range of motion, mobility and reduce adhesions that are formed due to disc herniation.

https://youtu.be/XP1yzpFR6ho?si=yLgrIFJHDVK_9kx9

Apply heating pad for 5 to 10 minutes also do soft tissue mobilization before performing these exercises to reduce pain. Perform 5, 5 repetitions on first week then increase accordingly. These are the exercises for beginners as other exercises can by performed by professionals and experienced physiotherapist or gym trainer. |Homework Task| |-| - What's disc herniation? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post. - How would you diagnose a disc herniation? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests? - Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practicing preferably gifs or videos. - Share your review after performing these exercises either on yourself, healthy individual or patient. ![divider1.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmPwjhwDMeGJ2fBB2hsx2V682SGUJ1YTbozk6NqmM83vWn/divider1.png) |Guidelines| |-| *** - You are free to post in any community. - All country members are allowed. You can write your post in any language. - Plagiarism will not be supported. Content should be free of AI. (Content must be **steemexclusive**). - The Title of the Post should be **Steemit Learning Challenge-S21W6; Disc Herniation"** - The tags are, #pti-s21w6 (the main tag must use in your post), #physicaltherapy, #learningchallange others tags are like your country as Pakistan, club status as club100, and #steemexclusive. - Try to use your pictures, videos or git to represent homework tasks. - Mention my username @ashkhan in your participation post. - Invite your 3 friends to participate in our contest. Upvote and Redeem the contest post so that more users participate in this and upvote. - Share your participation link under the comment section of this post. - Share your post on Twitter by adding a little information about your post and a specific hashtag like fashion, and share link on your post comment section. - **Contest will start at 00:00 (UTC) Monday 1st December 2024, and end at 23:59 (UTC) Sunday 8th December 2024.** - Subscribe to [Steem Physio & Rehab](https://steemit.com/trending/hive-127432) to share your physical therapy related content there. ### Reward **All 4 winners post will be rewarded by Sc01/Sc02.** > Each week we would like all Teaching Teams to make a post announcing the 4 people who have produced the best responses to the assignments and challenges. The selection of the 4 should be based solely on the quality of their post. Number of comments is no longer a factor to be considered. Cc, @pennsif @disconnect