Living with a Hernia: Ways to Relieve Hernia Pain

Do you have a nagging ache in your belly or groin that you think maybe a hernia? Don’t ignore it. While it may be causing only slight discomfort now, hernias do not go away on their own. That’s why it’s important to seek medical attention right away if you think you may have a hernia.   

While a hernia cannot heal itself, it can almost always be treated effectively with surgery.

The good news is that most hernias can be repaired with minimally invasive surgery – which has a low complication rate – and most patients are able to get back to their normal routine quickly. If left untreated, however, a hernia can cause serious complications such as a bowel obstruction (resulting in severe pain, nausea or constipation) or intestinal strangulation (if the trapped section of the intestines does not get enough blood).

Tips to relieve hernia pain temporarily before treatment:

Depending on the severity and type of hernia you have, there are some at-home treatment measures you can take to help relieve hernia pain until you can be treated by an experienced hernia surgeon. Here are some tips we recommend:

• Avoid lifting heavy objects and other strenuous exercises or activities. These activities may result in increased pressure and strain that could worsen your hernia. Stick to light and low-impact exercises like walking or swimming. Remember to listen to your body; if an exercise or activity is causing discomfort, avoid it until you can seek treatment.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight can exacerbate hernia pain. If you are overweight and dealing with a hernia, shedding a few extra pounds may help you improve your symptoms and avoid certain complications such as strangulation.

• Modify your diet. Diet can play a big role in controlling hernia symptoms. This is especially true for those with Hiatal hernias, where part of the stomach bulges upward through an opening in the diaphragm. Avoiding foods high in acidity as well as others associated with heartburn and indigestion can also help. Additionally, eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that may cause constipation can also provide hernia relief.

• Use an ice pack. If you have a hernia in the abdomen or groin, applying an ice pack to the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.

• Over-the-counter medications may relieve symptoms. If advised by your doctor, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen may be used temporarily to relieve mild pain and discomfort caused by a hernia.

It’s important to note that some hernias will require immediate surgery and should not be delayed. Your physician will be able to help determine the best treatment plan for your specific case.

You may be able to delay surgery, but the only way to effectively repair a hernia is through surgery.

Although the tips above may provide non-surgical relief from hernia symptoms, these measures are not intended to replace the need for surgery. Fortunately, hernia repair surgery is common and usually successful, but it’s important to choose a surgeon who specializes in hernia repairs to help avoid recurrence and other complications.

Selecting an experienced hernia surgeon with a high level of technical skill will significantly reduce the risk of recurrence or other complications. At the Hernia Center of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NGMC), our hernia repair surgeons are experienced and highly skilled in open, laparoscopic, and robotic hernia repair. Our surgeons also successfully treat patients who had initial hernia repair elsewhere but need revision surgery because their hernia has returned.

Our surgeons each perform between 15 to 30 hernia surgeries a month. This means that by choosing the Hernia Center of NGMC, you will see a hernia doctor who is highly experienced and will provide the highest quality hernia repair and surgical care possible. In fact, our hernia surgeons at the Hernia Center have been recognized by Surgical Review Corporation for their quality outcomes and expertise.

Contact us today for an appointment. If you think you have a hernia, don’t delay getting treatment. Call 770-219-4040 today to speak to our care team about questions or to schedule an appointment.

Hernia FAQ: How to Relieve Hernia Pain

What kind of pain does an inguinal hernia cause?

An inguinal hernia is a hole in the strength layer of the abdominal wall which allows protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal. The inguinal canal contains blood vessels, spermatic vessel and nerves that travel to the testicle. When a hernia is present, bulging contents of the hernia compresses these structures, often leading to a feeling of heaviness, pressure or even pain. The pain may be localized to the bulge, or the pain may radiate (shoot down) to the scrotum (the sac where the testicles are) or inner thigh. Some people describe intense pressure or even burning.  These symptoms will only occur when the contents bulge through the hernia. Most people feel pain at the end of the day, after prolonged standing or sitting. Most people get relief of pain when they lay down flat. It is rare to feel sharp stabbing pain with a hernia, as this kind of pain is often due to a musculoskeletal injury.

Having pain from your hernia?

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How do I relieve pain from an inguinal hernia?

Many people who suffer from discomfort or pain from an inguinal hernia find that laying down flat on their backs can relieve most of their symptoms. This is because this is the position which most easily allows bulging hernia contents to return to the abdominal cavity and stop compressing the surrounding structures. Some find it necessary to massage the hernia back into their abdomen. While we advise most patients we have evaluated that it is safe to to this in the short term, there is no substitute for surgery. Surgery will alleviate hernia pain right away by preventing abdominal contents from bulging. Anyone that has pain that restricts their activity level should be evaluated by an experienced hernia surgeon to understand their options. Over-the-counter pain medication use is not typically advised, as pain severe enough to warrant medication is often an indication for surgical intervention. Recent data suggest that prescribing opioids before surgery increases a patients risk of becoming opioid dependent after surgery – a practice we don’t condone. 

Relieving hernia pain with a hernia belt or truss

Some patients are unable to schedule their surgery right away, usually because of a work commitment, planned vacation, or current medical situation. A hernia belt or hernia truss can be a great bridge to surgery in these scenarios. Most local hospital supply pharmacies and many online retailers carry a hernia truss that can easily fit over undergarments. The truss should be put on while lying down, with the hernia fully reduced, when no bulge is present. By tightening the truss in this position, the hernia contents will be kept inside the abdominal cavity. Placing the hernia truss over an already bulging hernia will only further compress these tissues and can increase symptoms like pressure and pain. Using a hernia truss helps most patients with pain management for the short term until they can schedule surgery.

Relieving pain after hernia surgery

Type of surgery can definitely impact the amount of pain a person experiences after surgery and we tailor our approach with this in mind. Research on our outcomes after hernia repair demonstrates that most of our patients use only Tylenol and/or Motrin after inguinal hernia surgery.  As a result, we have stopped routinely prescribing opioid pain medication after surgery, and instead rely on multimodal pain management techniques. In our practice, 91% of our patients manage their pain without opioid pain medications. We advise that our patients take both Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) together every 6 hours.  We often recommend icing the area for 20 minutes at a time, through a towel, so that ice does not come into contact with the skin directly.  

We prescribe oxycodone for the patients who need it, those who have taken the tylenol and ibuprofen, used ice, and still have significant pain preventing sleeping at night or getting out of bed and walking around during the day. This is only the case in less than 1 in 10 patients recovering from our repairs.

In patients who have a higher degree of pain than normal, or patients who have a history of chronic pain or substance use disorder, we sometimes partner with our pain specialist to provide a more customized approach to pain management. Treating pain post-operatively is often a balance between making patients comfortable and exposing them to substances that have the potential for serious side effect and possible addiction. While we strive to make our patients as comfortable as possible with the generous use of local anesthesia during surgery, we advise our patients that having some discomfort or pain after surgery is preferred to some of the side effect of opioids.  The Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative has been working hard to provide patients with information about ways to manage their post-op pain. Click here to download note-card of optimal ways to treat post-op pain and Click here to download a brochure about taking opioid after surgery

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We have also created some more detailed guidelines and a helpful guide for family or friends caring for a loved one recovering from hernia repair below. In order to be as best prepared as possible for your surgery and recovery, we encourage you to review these and print them prior to your hernia surgery.

About Dr. Reinhorn & Dr. Fullington

Dr. Michael Reinhorn is a specialist in inguinal hernia and umbilical hernia.  Dr. Reinhorn started his practice as a full service general surgeon in 2001. In 2012 Dr. Reinhorn started to focus on the care of hernia and pilonidal patients. In 2020, Dr. Nora Fullington was recruited from her work as a general surgeon performing hundreds of laparoscopic hernia repairs to Boston Hernia. Together with their physician assistant team, they provide a focused practice designed to provide a superior clinical experience. The team performs approximately 700 hernia surgeries every year and offers a tailored approach for each patient from anesthesia type to consideration of mesh and no mesh repairs, laparoscopic and open surgery. We have published outcomes and continue to participate in hernia and surgery societies.  Our research led to a reduction in opioid prescribing after hernia surgery. Currently, Dr. Reinhorn serves as the chair of the Opioid Reduction Task Force of the Americas Hernia Society Quality Collaborative.

A patient’s testimonial about pain relief

The whole experience was great. Post-surgery pain was minimal, handled with advil only. The hernia repair has eliminated the pain and discomfort completely. Dr. Reinhorn and his team were as good as it gets.

11/25/15 – vitals

Back pain: a review of pain medications

This year, summer was expected, perhaps more than ever, to forget about distance learning and go to their dachas. But, if self-isolation at home somewhat limited us in movement, then the freedom provided, countryside vacations, trips and opportunities for outdoor activities can become causes for injuries and back pain.

In the article, we will consider the causes of back pain, the causes and symptoms, how to eliminate it and what means to use.

Back pain

The spine is the most important part of our body, on which, literally, life rests. Hundreds of nerve fibers run inside and from it, which are connected with internal organs, muscles, ligaments and the brain. With “natural wear and tear” in combination with loads and injuries, this “detail” sooner or later begins to malfunction: the neck is jammed, the lower back is shot, the shoulder blades are numb, abrasion of the intervertebral discs, protrusions, hernia, pinching, osteochondrosis.

A sore back deprives of normal mobility, constrains movement, causes discomfort and even suffering. In this case, it is important to quickly provide assistance and take measures to eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

How to relieve back pain

Let’s talk about the most common causes and types of back pain in practice, as well as methods for relieving pain.

Intervertebral disc abrasion

Or thinning of the intervertebral discs – the cartilage that acts as a cushion between the bones of the spine and a shock absorber. Abrasion can have a natural course, that is, it can get worse with age, or it can be the result of diseases and pathologies:

• overweight
• sedentary work and sedentary lifestyle
• excessive and uneven load on the spinal column
• frequent inflammation of the muscles near the spinal column
• lack of fluid in the body, malnutrition, as a result of which the body does not receive enough vitamins and minerals
• postural disorders
• resolution processes in the joints of the lower extremities
• clubfoot, flat feet, hollow feet and other types of violation of the position of the foot when walking and playing sports

Abrasion of the intervertebral disc is a frequent companion and one of the causes of osteochondrosis. The nature of the pain can be very diverse: dull, aching pain resulting from compression of the nerve endings extending from the spinal nerves. Sometimes there is a desire, in the literal sense of the word, to shake the spine, like laundry after washing, stretch, straighten out, so as not to experience a pulling sensation, pressure, tingling in places of pathology.

In this case, only a specialist should deal with treatment, but to alleviate discomfort, the systematic use of massage mats and applicators (Kuznetsov’s applicator), massage rollers and rollers, medicines are suitable:

Osteochondrosis

The beginning of osteochondrosis proceeds imperceptibly. Deformation, abrasion and dehydration of the intervertebral disc provokes the appearance of microcracks and loss of elasticity. All that a person can feel at the initial stage is discomfort between the shoulder blades and in the neck during prolonged immobility, a desire to stretch, backaches during intense loads, sudden movements.

These pains can often be mistaken for a heart attack or heart pain. The main differences between heart pain and neuralgia:

with neuralgia, there is a sharp pinching of the sternum with the inability to take a breath, cough, turns and any body movements become painful. Pain of a neuralgic nature increases with palpation in the area of ​​​​its distribution. Neuralgia location zone loses sensitivity

In such situations, the condition can be alleviated by:

• Nise gel
• Ketonal gel
• Fastum gel
• Nurofen Express Gel

Protrusion

This is a complicated stage of osteochondrosis, in which the contour of the disc protrudes beyond the physiological boundaries while maintaining the integrity of the fibrous membrane. Protrusion is also a reversible state. If you relax the muscles of the lower back, it disappears in a few hours. For these purposes, manual therapy is suitable, all the same massage mats and applicators for the back, massage vacuum jars. True, banks can only massage the muscles along the spine without capturing the spine itself. You can quickly relax your muscles with a hot 10-minute shower.

More often the pain is localized in the cervical region and lower back . This is explained by the fact that the largest number of nerve endings and two large arteries pass in the neck and in the lumbar spine. Because of what, frequent headaches (typical in principle for any pathologies associated with the spine) and dizziness (due to lack of blood circulation and oxygen in the brain) can torment.
Therefore, for the relief of precisely “vertebral” headaches, the following are suitable: tablets baralgin, nise, ibuprofen, moment, novigan, pentalgin. And:

• Teraliv 275
• Nalgezin
• Ketonal
• Ketonal duo
• Nurofen
• Artrozan
• Airtal
• Dexalgin
• Dexonal
• Diclofenac-Akrikhin
• Nimesil
• Meloxicam-Akrikhin

Protrusion is a serious call that is important to hear in time, because the next irreversible stage is a herniated disc .

Spinal hernia

Depending on the severity of the course of the disease, both observation and therapeutic treatment, as well as surgical intervention, may be required. However, in order not to bring the matter to the knife, the best thing to do is to contain the pathology as much as possible and achieve a stable remission.
It is worth remembering that a hernia of the spine does not belong to age and can affect a person even at a young age. The provoking factors of destruction and degeneration of the intervertebral disc and, as a result, hernia are not fully understood and not studied. Among the many causes, genetic and hereditary factors are essential and dominant. The rest is in the hands of the person himself. But even with an unfavorable genetic prognosis, a hernia is not a death sentence.

Pain in a hernia is a real suffering for those who are not lucky enough to have this diagnosis. It often manifests itself suddenly, very brightly and sharply, with paralysis of movement, sharp, dagger-like, hardly tolerable. One rugs and physical education is not enough here.
It is possible to urgently relieve pain in case of a hernia of the spine
In case of severe pain, when a person becomes practically immobilized, intramuscular injections should be made using:

• Ketonal solution
• voltaren solution
• ketane solution

• diclofenac solution

• artrozan
• movalis solution

Most often, prescription drugs and before using it is important to either consult a specialist or contact the emergency service.

Other causes of back pain

One way or another, destructive changes in the spine have one common beginning – osteochondrosis, which later develops into facet syndrome, sciatica, lumbago and other diseases.

Facet syndrome

In another way – arthrosis of the vertebral bones and joints. In which there are degenerative changes in the bone tissue, characteristic of any other type of arthrosis. The causes of spinal arthrosis are common: spondylitis – destruction of spinal tissues, which has an inflammatory and infectious nature, obesity and metabolic disorders in the body; rheumatoid type arthritis; inflammatory processes in tissues and joints, injuries.

A companion of the facet syndrome is constant inflammation in the zone of the disease location. But inflammation can gradually spread to nearby tissues. Therefore, it is important to accurately diagnose the pathology and start timely therapy.

Osteophytes

These are pathological growths on the bone tissue. Bone tissue grows along the edge of the bone, and this process can affect not only the spine. Osteophytes on the bones of the foot, for example, have a second name – heel spur.

Growing over time, osteophytes immobilize and cause pain, because they grow in the form of a characteristic spike.
Osteophytes can be caused by various metabolic disorders. Bone growths often occur as a result of high stress on the joint, which leads to the destruction of cartilage. Also, the cause may be a direct injury to the joint or spine.
To date, osteophytes are removed only surgically. Topical agents and injections can relieve the condition only temporarily.

Inflammation, myositis

Myalgia is a pathology of a muscular and tendon nature. Any inflammation, myalgia are not independent diseases, but are always a consequence.

P r and the treatment of myalgia try to combine symptomatic and etiological approaches. The easiest way to manage myalgia is with proper rest, analgesics, and relaxation treatments that bring quick relief. The inflammatory process and acute pains are stopped by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: nise, ketonal, nurofen . With an infectious origin, myalgia is prescribed antiviral or antibacterial drugs and drinking plenty of fluids to quickly remove microbial toxins from the body.

After the pain syndrome is eliminated, they proceed to physiotherapeutic procedures that activate local metabolism and accelerate regeneration. Recommended techniques include: microcurrents; IR therapy; magnetotherapy using the Almag apparatus; massotherapy.
The Almag device from this list is the most affordable home physiotherapy tool.

Read more about Almag and Almag Plus here…

Sciatica and lumbago

Radiculitis is a mechanical pinching of one or more spinal nerve roots, which occurs as a result of pathological processes occurring in the spine and musculoskeletal system. Such pathologies include, in addition to osteochondrosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis (types of curvature).

1. Sometimes influenza, tuberculosis, rheumatism, syphilis, cerebrospinal meningitis, tick-borne encephalitis, tumors provoke the development of sciatica. But such root causes require medical supervision.
2. Treatment of sciatica at home involves the use of locally dry heat or cold (with emergency first aid). As a local heat – the offer of locally irritating and locally warming ointments is suitable: salvisar , finalgon
3. Immobilization of the lower half of the body (using a tight circular bandage or lumbar brace) may also help relieve pain. Fixation belt options: ORTO lumbosacral brace, lumbar brace
   

During the period of acute pain, it is necessary to connect medications – such as, for example, Diclofenac-Akrikhin, Ketonal duo, Dexonal, Nimesil.

• Also in the treatment of sciatica, a sparing sedentary regime is important, but not more than 3-5 days.

• Manual therapy, therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy, special exercise machines and massagers for home use must be connected only as pain symptoms decrease, not during the acute period of the disease.

Lumbago

Lumbago is often confused with sciatica because of very similar symptoms – pain appears, sudden, sharp, throbbing, which is localized in the lumbar spine. The patient “freezes” in the position in which he was overtaken by an attack, and takes a forced half-bent position. Severe pain can last from several minutes to several hours. A characteristic cause of acute backaches in the lumbar part of the back (lumbago) is physical activity, as a result, displacement of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. And also, overheating of the lower back or hypothermia. One of the causes of recurrent lumbago may be an intervertebral hernia in an inoperable stage, which compresses the nerve roots.

Prevention of back pain

It is difficult to call the prevention of back diseases prevention. Because this, ideally, is a lifestyle that by default implies self-care in every sense: physical education, nutrition, orthopedic insoles and foot correctors, annual vitamin and massage courses and a complete anti-stress regimen.

Be healthy!

How to relieve pain from a hernia of the lumbar spine

CONTENTS:

• Causes of pain from a hernia
• Methods of pain relief from a hernia
• Pain relief from a hernia of the spine in Tibet

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• Our doctors
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Pain in a herniated disc can be acute, shooting or aching, constant. It is most strongly felt in the place where the disc fell out.

Pain with a hernia of the lumbar spine gives to the buttock, thigh, leg.
Pain with a hernia of the thoracic region extends to the chest.
Pain with a hernia of the cervical region gives under the scapula, in the region of the heart, shoulder, forearm. A pinched nerve also causes a violation of innervation, so the pain of a hernia is usually accompanied by numbness along the nerve.

The intensity of pain in a hernia depends on the pinching of the nerve roots, and its danger – on the compression of the spinal cord. The most dangerous hernias can be manifested by moderate pain – these are the so-called dorsal, especially posterior median hernias. Intense pain means that the disc prolapsed in the area of ​​the nerve root, while spinal cord stenosis may be absent.

Causes of hernia pain

The cause of pain in a hernia is the rupture of the fibrous ring of the disc and prolapse of its nucleus. The prolapsed part of the disc nucleus compresses the nerve root extending from the spinal cord. This is what causes pain.

As a rule, a hernia is preceded by a protrusion – a protrusion of the edge of the disc, which also causes pain. Pain during protrusion does not differ significantly from pain during a hernia and can be no less intense. In some cases, breaking the ring even results in less pain. However, such a sudden relief is a dangerous symptom that requires immediate examination.

Pain relief methods for hernia

To quickly relieve pain in a hernia, blockades are usually used – injections into the epidural space between the vertebra and the dura mater of the spinal cord in the area of ​​​​the pinched nerve.

A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) or a steroid (hormonal) drug is used as an anesthetic. Such an injection provides temporary relief, but does not eliminate the cause of the pain.

The second method is surgical, in which the hernia is mechanically trimmed. As a result, pressure on the nerve disappears, but such an operation is fraught with complications (paresis in 10-15% of cases). In the long term, the effect of the operation usually fades away.

In the Tibet clinic, hernia pain is effectively eliminated without surgery and medications. This eliminates side effects, and pain relief is persistent, long-term.

Pain relief for spinal hernia in “Tibet”

Usually, hernia pain is relieved in 1-3 sessions at the Tibet clinic. Elimination of pain syndrome is the first thing that is done with a hernia. After all, the pain causes a reflex muscle spasm, which must be removed in order to begin treatment.

1. Acupuncture is the main procedure for relieving hernia pain.
   The introduction of needles as thin as a hair into bioactive points eliminates inflammation, swelling of tissues, which significantly reduces nerve compression. At the same time, acupuncture stimulates the active production of endomorphins. These substances relieve pain no less effectively than NSAIDs and steroid drugs, but without side effects.
2. Tibetan acupressure relieves muscle spasms.
   It also significantly reduces the pressure on the nerve roots, so that the pain is relieved or completely disappears.
3. Manual therapy is used in uncomplicated cases of hernia.
   It consists in gentle stretching (traction) of the spine, which the doctor performs manually. This procedure helps to completely release pinched nerves and eliminate pain.

For an additional analgesic effect, magnetic vacuum therapy, stone therapy, hirudotherapy and other methods can be used according to individual indications.

Treatment results

The advantages of acupuncture and other methods used in the clinic “Tibet” – high efficiency, complete safety, no side effects.

A quick analgesic effect is achieved in 1-3 sessions. Further treatment will be aimed at eliminating the cause of pain – intervertebral hernia (more details here). This will provide long-term, stable and reliable results, restore the health of the spine, prevent complications and relapses.