Herniated disc in back

A herniated disc in the back to thousands of North Americans, means debilitating pain and loss of quality of living. To the medical profession it means billions of dollars every year.

Back problems are second only to the common cold as the cause of lost work time. Most Americans suffer from back pain at some point in their life.

A herniated disc can be caused by normal wear and tear from aging or from an accident such as sports or automobile.

There are many different terms used to describe the condition: “slipped disc”, ruptured disc, etc. Doctors will refer to the condition as “acute” or “chronic” depending on the level and duration of the pain. In the end, most cases are never really diagnosed accurately and most patients eventually improve, over time, quite naturally.

There is no single treatment for a herniated disc in the back

The essential first step is an accurate diagnosis to determine exactly where is the herniated disc and the degree of damage to the disc. After a careful diagnosis, most patients will need a long-term program of rest, cold compresses and careful exercise prescribed by a professional in rehabilitation. These treatments may be accompanied by physiotherapy or chiropractic treatments, along with generous doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen.

Surgery, the magical solution, is only appropriate for a small percentage of patients. The real solution must come from careful changes in life-style habits, with regular exercise and a careful review of good sitting and standing postures.

For a professional diagnosis and a careful long-term treatment, the highly trained orthopaedic and rehabilitation specialists in Cuba have demonstrated a team-work approach that offers real solutions. It is recognized worlwide that Cuban doctors are among the best in the world.

Health Services International has sent a number of international patients, who have suffered for years from a herniated disc in the back, to be successfully treated in Cuba.