Intervertebral disc herniation

Treating Back Pain: Most people think that bone-related problems are something distant, that you're only old or have a calcium deficiency. Today, we're sharing the experience of Ko Chanchai Kaisit, a news anchor and presenter, who suffered from back pain caused by a herniated disc compressing a nerve.

back pain

I've had back pain for about a year now, but I thought it might be due to playing sports or maybe office syndrome because I sit at work for long periods of time.

Causes of back pain.

One day, I went to the gym, which I hadn't done in a while, and lifted weights as usual. Generally, people who exercise experience soreness after a workout, but this time it was different. One night, I woke up feeling unwell. I tried to get up to go to the bathroom, but I couldn't. It felt like my body was leaning, and I couldn't move. It hurt so much. I slowly pushed myself up with my hands, asking myself, "What's wrong with me?" Finally, I had to lie back down on the floor. I kept wondering if I'd been exercising too much, or if my mattress was too soft and uneven.

Investigating the cause.

I went to the doctor for an X-ray. The doctor said I have degenerative disc disease. The results showed two vertebrae near my hips were compressed together, as if the intervertebral disc had thinned. This makes me feel like the bones are rubbing against each other more easily, but it's not severe enough to cause a herniated disc or nerve compression yet. The doctor said it hasn't reached that point.

Initial treatment for herniated disc.

Initially, the treatment included medication, physical therapy, ultrasound therapy for the affected area, several massage sessions, and reducing strenuous exercise such as weightlifting. Swimming was allowed, but if lifting heavy objects, it was essential to use the correct form. If I forgot to lift correctly, I would experience radiating back pain to my hips, sometimes extending to my legs, causing stiffness and aches, similar to an older person's condition. However, I felt it wasn't that severe, so I focused on managing the treatment as best I could, as I didn't want to resort to surgery.

Are you afraid of surgery?

I'm someone who is afraid of surgery, especially spinal surgery. In the past, surgery involved large incisions. I'm worried about whether I'll be the same after recovery and what the side effects might be. These are the concerns of someone with a herniated disc. So, if there were other options, like laser treatment, minimally invasive surgery, or other targeted methods that are less painful and provide a quick cure, it would be much more reassuring. It would help me feel more at ease in my daily life, because I sit reading the news for three hours a day, and my body weight puts a lot of pressure on me while I sit.

How did you find out about S Hospital?

Someone recommended this to me a while ago, but I was afraid of surgery. I had a herniated disc, and I was worried about whether it was major surgery. I'd seen old images of surgeries that involved lengths of material, especially since it was the spine. I was really scared. But the last time I went here, I was living normally, buying groceries, lifting things. I thought it was normal, but after lifting for a while, I felt an unbearable pain. The radiating back pain was so severe I had to sit down. I couldn't even sit properly; it hurt so much. Walking was painful, and even lying down hurt when I got home. I had to lie on my side, trying to minimize the pain. Finally, I decided to get checked to find the cause.

What was the investigation into the cause of the incident at S Hospital?

The first time I came here, the doctor ordered an X-ray, but they also included an MRI. The MRI results showed very clearly that in addition to my intervertebral disc degeneration, it was herniated, bulging out and pressing against the spinal cord and nerves. The disc was compressing the nerves, and it was very visible. I told myself that if I were to go to alternative medicine to have them taut and stiff like before, it would be very risky with such a severe herniation. In the end, I decided that since I had to stay home anyway, and the symptoms wouldn't go away with medication, because I could see that the disc was herniated, I didn't think it would shrink with medication.

How long does it take to decide on a treatment plan?

We asked the doctor if this treatment was painful, what the side effects were, the success rate, and how big the scar would be. After the doctor explained the laser treatment method, we decided to go ahead with it and scheduled an appointment right away.

After surgery for a herniated disc, what was the treatment outcome?

The surgery, in my mind, meant I wouldn't be able to get up, that it would be painful. But surprisingly, I could get up to go to the bathroom, walk around as if nothing had happened. Positions that used to hurt when I sat, I could now sit comfortably. My friends were going to visit, but they didn't arrive in time; I had already left. I spent two days and one night there.

The experience of treating a herniated disc, Mr. Ko Chanchai Kaisit, who endured pain for a year, is now able to return to his normal daily life. He follows his doctor's advice: avoiding lifting heavy objects, not sitting for more than two hours at a time (changing posture if necessary), and engaging in safe exercise. By following these guidelines, he can help prevent future spinal problems.