Herniated Discs and Whole Body Vibration
The spine is located in the back. It is made up of 24 bones called vertebrae. Seven vertebrae make up
the neck (cervical spine), twelve vertebrae compose the mid back (thoracic spine) and five vertebrae are
found in the lower back (lumbar spine). The purposes of the vertebrae are to support the weight of an
individual and protect the spinal cord. Between each vertebra are gelatinous discs. They function to
cushion compressive forces on the spine. The discs are sometimes compared to a jelly-filled donut with
a firmer outer ring (the annulus fibrosus) and a softer inside (known as the nucleus pulposus). A
herniation of the disc occurs when the softer inside ruptures through the outer ring. This usually occurs
due to degeneration of the disc with age or with injury. Symptoms of a herniated disc will vary
depending on the level of the spine affected. Pain may be felt locally around the area that is herniated. If
the herniation is large enough, symptoms away from the site may arise due to pressure placed on the
surrounding spinal nerves. This may result in pain shooting into the level of the body the specific nerve
innervates. Pain may occur on one or both sides of the body. A herniated disc can also cause numbness
and weakness to the skin and muscles that the affected nerve goes to. In severe cases, lumbar disc
herniations can lead to bowel and bladder issues. Treatment for a herniated disc depends on the
severity of symptoms. They may include physiotherapy, medication for pain, inflammation and muscle
relaxants, cortisone injections, and surgery. Conservative treatments will often be attempted first and
are frequently very effective at reducing symptoms, even in cases of severe pain. Loss of muscle
strength and/or bladder and bowel function is considered a medical emergency and often requires
surgical intervention.
When an individual herniates a disc, there may initially be a period of rest recommended by a physician.
Return to physical activity should be supervised by an appropriate health care provider. Therapeutic
exercises may focus on the strengthening of weakened muscles to provide stability and alleviate pain. In
general, it is important to avoid exercises that cause any increased pain1. More specifically, individuals
should lift lighter weights focusing on technique1. Squats should be avoided due to the stress placed on
the back and low impact aerobic exercises are preferred to jogging or other jarring high impact
activities1.
An acute disc herniation is a contraindication to using Whole Body Vibration (WBV). The concern is that
the vibration may further exacerbate the condition. One study examining the occupational levels of
vibration, found that vibration to an already herniated disc in an animal model caused further
herniation2. WBV has been found to be effective at reducing pain or pain related disability and
improving lumbar extension torque in individuals with chronic low back pain without a specific spine
disease diagnosis3. Another study looked at changes in lumbosacral proprioception in healthy
THIS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WE DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE. PLEASE CONSULT
YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER.
25 Curity Avenue, Unit 2A, Toronto, ON M4B 3M2
416-285-6055 fax 416-285-8918
info@t-zonehealth.com www.t-zonevibration.com
-2individuals. It is thought that poor proprioception in this area contributes to low back pain4. WBV
combined with weight bearing exercises showed improvements in lumbosacral repositioning accuracy in
these healthy individuals4.
Based on the above studies, WBV may be beneficial for someone with chronic low back pain; however,
individuals with a herniated disc in the spine should not use WBV as it could exacerbate their condition.
Once the herniation has been resolved, an individual should consult the appropriate health care
provider to determine if the benefits to using WBV outweigh any potential risks or contraindications. If
an individual has had surgery to correct the herniation, there are other potential contraindications that
need to be considered.
References
1. http://www.ehow.com/way_5635011_exercises-avoid-cervical-herniated-disc.html, retrieved
January 10, 2011.
2. Yates JP, McGill SM. 2010. The Effect of Vibration and Posture on the Progression of
Intervertebral Disc Herniation, Spine.
3. Rittweger J, Just K, Kautzsch K, Reeg P, Felsenberg D. 2002. Treatment of chronic lower back
pain with lumbar extension and whole-body vibration exercise: a randomized controlled trial,
Spine, 27(17), 1829-34.
4. Fontana TL, Richardson CA, Stanton WR. 2005. The effect of weight-bearing exercise with low
frequency, whole body vibration on lumbosacral proprioception: a pilot study on normal
subjects, Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 51(4), 259-63.
THIS IS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. WE DO NOT DIAGNOSE OR PRESCRIBE. PLEASE CONSULT
YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER.
25 Curity Avenue, Unit 2A, Toronto, ON M4B 3M2
416-285-6055 fax 416-285-8918
info@t-zonehealth.com www.t-zonevibration.com