Back pain radiating down the legs, numbness in the feet, or muscle weakness are warning signs that you may be dealing with a herniated disc compressing nerves. While many people immediately think of surgery upon hearing this diagnosis, modern medicine now offers safe and effective treatment options without the operating room. Today we'll explore evidence-based physical therapy approaches that can restore your body and improve your quality of life.

Why You Shouldn't Ignore Herniated Discs Intervertebral discs act as shock absorbers for the spine. As we age or develop poor habits like lifting heavy objects incorrectly or sitting with bad posture, discs can bulge or rupture, pressing on nearby nerves and causing severe pain. If left untreated and the nerve inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to muscle atrophy or loss of bowel and bladder control.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options More than 80% of patients with herniated discs compressing nerves improve significantly and return to normal life through non-surgical treatment, particularly physical therapy. The process includes:

Pain and inflammation reduction with advanced technology: Using high-power laser therapy or spinal traction to reduce pressure in the spinal canal, helping the herniated disc return to its proper position.

Structural realignment: Adjusting spinal alignment to reduce nerve compression.

Therapeutic exercise: Physical therapists teach stretching and strengthening exercises for core muscles to support the spine and prevent symptom recurrence.

Conclusion Successful treatment of spinal conditions requires accurate diagnosis and expert care. If you're seeking safe, non-surgical treatment options, Prohealth Clinic offers comprehensive physical therapy and spinal care with personalized assessment and customized treatment programs to restore your quality of life.

SA KAEO — 28 April 2026, the Burapha Task Force's Humanitarian Mine Action Unit 1 is continuing landmine clearance operations along the Thai-Cambodian border at Ban Nong Chan in Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province.

During operations on 25 April, teams worked in the suspected hazardous area SHA 27-01/AD, which covers 99,800 square metres. Personnel cleared an additional 400 square metres and uncovered 32 landmines, including 22 PMN anti-personnel mines and 10 MN79 mines. Released images show the mines bundled together for transport, illustrating the severity of contamination in the zone.

Since 18 November, cumulative operations have rendered 62,000 square metres safe, representing 62.93% of the total area, with approximately 37,000 square metres (37.07%) still requiring clearance. To date, 189 explosive items have been discovered and cleared, comprising 122 PMN mines, 30 MN79 mines, two POMZ-2 mines, 34 PMD-6M mines, and one unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Authorities report that large quantities of mines continue to be found along the border. The bundling of recovered mines for safe transport and storage before disposal is rarely documented and underscores the extensive contamination. Operations remain underway as officials work to restore safety for border communities.

Climate change is subjecting Bangkok residents to increasingly high temperatures and heat index levels, especially during the hot season, disrupting daily life. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has implemented a systematic heat management approach to address the 2025 hot season, establishing a heat management committee to set policies, oversee operations, and coordinate surveillance, early warning systems, and urban heat mitigation efforts.

The BMA's 2025 Heat Management Plan for Bangkok focuses on protecting public health, reducing heat-related illnesses, and building long-term urban resilience. A key initiative is an early warning system where Bangkok's Air Quality Data Center monitors daily heat index values and coordinates with the Thai Meteorological Department to track weather forecasts and heat wave trends. Public alerts with health recommendations are distributed through all BMA communication channels, including the AirBKK website and app, the Bangkok Environment Office Facebook page, and community networks for real-time updates.

Bangkok residents can escape the heat at 'cooling spots' and 'cooling centers' throughout the city, operating from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (hours vary by location) during peak heat and UV intensity periods. The BMA operates cooling services across all districts with 2,806 water stations, including 110 cooling spots in 48 public parks, 242 cooling spots in 15-minute parks, 255 cooling centers in schools (51 schools and 10 vocational schools), 68 health service centers, 76 cultural, sports, and tourism facilities, recreational centers, 50 district offices, and 24-hour rest centers in BMA hospitals.

These cooling spaces serve vulnerable populations including the elderly, children, those with chronic illnesses, and outdoor workers, allowing them to rest, hydrate, and escape extreme heat. Residents can locate nearby cooling facilities through the greener.bangkok.go.th website.

Since heat index concerns no longer affect only the summer season but threaten public health year-round, the BMA is implementing both short-term and long-term strategies under its heat management committee to protect residents' quality of life. Short-term measures include close monitoring and early warnings using heat index data with four alert thresholds.

At 8:30 a.m. on April 28, 2025, at the Government House, Energy Minister Eknath Phrom-phun outlined a restructured household electricity rate before a cabinet meeting. The new structure charges no more than 3 baht for the first 200 units, 3.95 baht per unit for 200-400 units, and a new rate of 5 baht per unit for usage above 401 units. The minister explained that previous electricity price increases were driven by LNG costs tied to global market prices, which spiked when Middle East tensions caused gas prices to double. The new rate formula will reduce electricity costs system-wide by 30-40%, benefiting all 23 million households assessed under this structure. The minister clarified misconceptions, emphasizing that the new tiered structure means households using the first 200 units receive full benefits with a 20% reduction, while those exceeding 200 units still benefit from the 10% discount on that baseline. The Energy Ministry's agenda, designated as a national priority, will be presented at the cabinet meeting today, including initiatives to promote solar rooftop installations with reduced bureaucracy—condensing multiple agency visits into a single process completed within 30 days—and securing affordable installment financing. Additional measures include promoting domestically-produced electric bicycles and motorcycles, improving energy efficiency in government facilities and street lighting, and permanently reducing electricity rates by canceling perpetual unfair contracts. The government aims to reduce gas dependency in power generation by cutting expensive imports and expanding solar energy use. The minister will meet with the National Energy Policy Committee on April 29 to proceed with public consultation, with implementation expected in June's bill cycle, allowing consumers to pay the new rates by month-end.

At 7:35 AM on April 28, 2569 at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister Yuthasak Wongswat, also Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, explained that his ministry is working to convert waste and agricultural material burning into a circular system. The plan involves collecting materials farmers would otherwise burn and exchanging them for solar panels in partnership with private companies using the ministry's technology to create a closed loop that reduces farmer expenses. A project announcement is planned for this afternoon.

When asked about proposals for today's cabinet meeting, Yuthasak said budget-related matters requiring quick action would likely be presented, along with several urgent items, particularly those addressing people's income as household expenses continue rising. He expects various ministries will submit quality projects, with his ministry's budget expected to remain at previous levels as specified by Deputy PM and Finance Minister Ekniti.

Yuthasak emphasized his focus on the Wellness Economy, believing that investments generating long-term returns could transform taxpayer money into high-value economic activity. He noted the Prime Minister has assigned him to oversee the Circular Economy initiative, with the ministry working to improve air quality and environmental conditions. During a recent field visit to Udon Thani province on April 25, he addressed public awareness about flooding and drought, coordinating with multiple ministries. The ministry is also promoting fertilizer programs developed with agricultural cooperatives.