are lunges bad for herniated disc

American Association of Neurological Surgeons. If your neck is uncomfortable, avoid it. Avoid any workout that involves a forward-leaning motion. The inominate (pelvic bone) can be rotated forward, backward, flared in or out, shifted up or down as well as the sacrum being out of alignment. Its very important to be careful. Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen are great options for mild-to-moderate pain. How To Train Legs With Back Injury (Reverse Lunge For Disc Herniation & Disc Bulge)Links: KettleBells - https://geni.us/iyxt (Amazon)Dumbbells - https://geni. Lean back on the backrest with your shoulders relaxed. A herniated disc is also commonly called a bulging disc or slipped disc. For people who do have symptoms, the symptoms tend to improve over time. It causes tremendous pressure along the spine and can lead to intense pain in the lumbar region and hyperextend the spine. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal-and-connective-tissue-disorders/neck-and-back-pain/herniated-nucleus-pulposus?query=herniated disk#. Pushing up into the air while lying down can also cause pain. You can check out this article => 7 Exercises to Relieve Low Back Pain, which may help in addition to this one. Theres more to help you: What you need to know about tight hip flexors and your back, Your glutes are a major pain in the butt and back. When performing a leg press, a person lies down with knees close to the chest and pushes up against the weights while rounding out their spine. Well done. Yes, these exercises would still apply to you, especially if you have a lumbar disc herniation. I would like to build muscle and gain weight. The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. As long as you keep your form optimal, its safe to add weights. Office Update: Safe Patient Appointments (Read More), Home Blog 8 Tips to Avoid a Herniated Disc: Minimizing the Risks, Published on 24th May 2022Posted by Majid Ghauri. If you think you have a herniated disk, talk to your doctor, come prepared, try to figure out when your symptoms started, how you may have injured it, and what, if anything, helps improve your symptoms. Physical therapy can also help manage pain with positions, stretches, and exercises designed to minimize the discomfort caused by a herniated disk. Doctors often recommend physiotherapy to treat the symptoms of a herniated disk. Returning to light activity can actually speed up your recovery, since light loads can speed up the early healing process. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. The disc herniation can cause this. Experiencing this problem is natural. Most herniated disks occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck. Forgive me if this was addressed in the comments section but I have two herniated discs in the cervical region along with a bone spur. You can easily do it around the home. This content does not have an English version. Potomac, MD, 20854. Revolved triangle pose. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of It can be very painful and may cause: back. A timely article. For a safer leg workout with a herniated disc, try lunges. Rarely, a traumatic event such as a fall or a blow to the back is the cause. Yoga helps in the relief. As its healing, youll want to increase the challenge to the diagonally-oriented muscles in your spine (external & internal obliques and multifidus, all in combination with the transverse abdominus). Any disk in the spine can become herniated, including the neck, but it most commonly occurs in the lower back. The exercises to avoid are those that force the neck to bend or cause other spine misalignment and those that put excess pressure or force on the spine. This article will look at some of the exercises that can relieve pain, speed recovery, and help prevent a herniated disk from recurring. Practicing yoga with back pain is one thing. This, of course, comes at the expense of your lumbar discs, since bending causes the most injury of all possible movements. Hold this squat position anywhere for a few seconds or longer depending on your endurance and comfort. When a disc is injured or deteriorating due to disease or aging, it can lead to a herniated disc. Neck pain is common after a slipped disk. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with They may first learn about a herniated disk while undergoing tests for a different issue. Almost every exercise and activity requires the healthy movement and power that lunges provide. It can be very painful and may cause: People with a herniated disk do not usually need surgery. Keep the head up, shoulders back and spine straight. Practice lifting your legs off the floor while maintaining complete stability of your spine. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. You can repeat this sequence 5 to 10 times, 2 to 3 times a day. Holding a squat position may feel tiresome. People might wish to avoid high-impact activity, such as jogging or martial arts. As far as the exercises are concerned, in no way was this meant to be a comprehensive list. Acute lumbosacral radiculopathy: Treatment and prognosis. 7811 Montrose Any activity that requires you to lower your body closer to the ground should incorporate this action at the very least. The protruding portion of the disk is removed. Exercises that require you to twist, such as abdominal exercises with a medicine ball or kettlebell or even some yoga moves, can be detrimental after you've herniated a disc. We wish you well. Pain in your buttocks, thighs, calf, even your foot, numbness or tingling. Incorporate lunges into your everyday routine, 3 Simple 1 minute Moves You Must do Every Morning For Pain Relief, Are you at risk? Even worse, they twist at the waist while picking up a heavy load. They will also promote flexibility in the spine and may help reduce the risk of a herniated disk from recurring. Improper form leads me to back pain for a couple of days. A herniated disc is often called a slipped or ruptured disc. In many cases, your back muscles are tightening up too much and are adding to your tension and discomfort. The rubbery disks that lie between the vertebrae in the spine consist of a soft center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher exterior (annulus). While symptoms can come on suddenly and acutely, disc pathology is usually considered a long-term chronic condition. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Hi Kenneth. The spinal canal runs through each vertebrae down the back and is just large enough to contain the spinal nerve (spinal cord). Exercise is not only recommended, its required to help retrain the muscles in your back.3 More specifically, spinal stabilization exercises help more than a general exercise program.4. Strengthening the back and hamstring muscles can ease pressure on the spinal column to prevent pain and recurrence. A herniated disc can be caused by bad posture. The first four muscles make up the Quadriceps. Disc degeneration or slippage (herniation) can heal and stop hurting- if you let it - no differently than a sprained ankle. because your glute muscles will feel very weak. Consider modifying your weightlifting technique to reduce your need to bend forward. It takes years to herniate a disc, and only days to weeks to let it heal it by stopping bad habits. 8 This nerve runs from the low back (lumbar spine), down your thigh and even extends to your feet. The second half of this phase involves performing many of your normal exercises, but on one side at a time. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Avoiding a herniated disc is an important strategy for maintaining an active lifestyle that is not limited by pain. The injury that is considered piriformis syndrome occurs when this muscle compresses or irritates the large nerve that runs around (and even sometimes through it 12% of the time) called the sciatic nerve. In rare instances, emergency surgery might be required to avoid permanent weakness or paralysis. A smokers heavy coughing bouts can also increase pressure on the spine. Disk herniation is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration. Wow! Thank you! You can repeat this process 5 to 10 times per side. If your doctor thinks another condition is causing the pain or needs to see which nerves are being affected by the slipped disk, they may order one or more of the following; an X-ray, a CT scan, an MRI, rarely a myelogram. Since most herniated discs occur in the neck or lower back, many of the prevention tips focus on these areas. Kenneth, this article is fantastic! Stretching your hamstring muscle helps support your core and back, reducing the strain on your lower spine. Learn more about these and other reasons for, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. The short answer is yes, but first lets discuss what a herniated disc is, and then address how you can safely incorporate strength training back into your workout program. This helps to challenge the rotational stability of your spine. What are the most likely causes of upper back pain? Bending over to pick up a barbell and then jerking it into position can cause shock to your spine. Im 57, 180lbs and can deadlift (with 6 inch elevation) about twice my weight. Hsu PS, et al. Really sorry to hear that youre dealing with a disc herniation, but its great that youve found relief through yoga and are able to manage your symptoms. What is it? It's possible to have a herniated disk without having any symptoms. The fact that you have numbness however indicates that your nerve is involved somewhere, so still be extra careful with any of your core exercises. Herniated disk in the lower back. If we combine this information with your protected Doing gentle exercises and stretches can help ease the pain and pressure of a herniated or slipped disk. A herniated disk, or a slipped or ruptured disk, occurs when some of the soft jelly in the center of the disk slips out past the tough exterior. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. While this activity does not usually cause a herniated disc, running with a slipped disc in the neck or back can aggravate your symptoms particularly while running uphill, which requires some forward bending of the spine. Sorry to hear that you have a herniated disc. Ive read that in some cases they repair themselves, not completely of course but to some extent. The spine is made up of a series of vertebrae (bones) cushioned by discs. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, any movements you make should be slow and controlled if you have a herniated disc. Causes of a herniated disk . Depending on where the herniated disk is, it can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. This content does not have an Arabic version. Once youve mastered that, do a standing hip hinge. With practice, you will find it more natural to enter this position instead of by bending over. Excellent Perry, The rehabilitation exercises are boon to people suffering from Back disk problems. Weight lifting is not good when you have a herniated disc. Step 4. Lie flat on a yoga mat with one leg lifted into the air. The following exercise can help ease neck pain caused by a slipped disk in the upper spine or neck: To relieve pain and pressure from a herniated disk near the neck, people can try the following exercise: For those with a slipped disk in the lower spine, strengthening the hamstring muscles can help better support their core and back. Work up to performing deadbug for 2 minutes straight. At this point, your body is in what we call the repair phase. If your pain is severe, your doctor might recommend a cortisone injection or muscle relaxers. Advertisement. Shouldnt I exercise my back instead of my legs? However, there is an increased benefit with unilateral rows over bilateral, so as soon as someone has the strength and stability to perform the exercise unilaterally, my preference is to mix that in as it will help to bias the deep stabilizers (multifidus, rotatores, obliques, etc) more. You can avoid spasms by avoiding this bad habit. Fairfax, VA, 22033, Montrose Rode Building In most cases, a slipped disk happens because of wear and tear, something known as disk degeneration as you age. Why not first start with a regular bent over row rather than going straight into the unilateral one. Maintaining an aligned spine is always important, whether sitting, standing, walking or running. Hope that helps! Step 3: Lift your back knee up off the floor, and hold that position for 5 seconds.. You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Bonus Tip: You can change the height of the anchor point to emphasize the challenge on your anterior muscles (abdominals), or your back muscles. Focus on stability exercises, hamstring and upper back flexibility, and of course, avoid anything that makes your symptoms worse. Here are a few activities to avoid. Compression of the nerves from L4 through S3 are most likely to cause sciatica, according to a June 2015 study of 50 cadavers published by the International Journal of Anatomy and Research. Hello Diego. Youll know youve cheated if the roller or towel falls off your back. information submitted for this request. Straight leg raises put too much pressure on the spine, causing sustained lower back pain for those with existing injuries. other information we have about you. A herniated, or slipped, disk is a common condition that can be painful. Herniated disks usually affect one side of the body. Your disks become less flexible and are more prone to tears and ruptures. By exercising this way, your hip muscles are activated and recruited to function to help your body remain upright, aligned and level. Also, include aerobic exercise because it improves the cardiovascular system, which then helps keep tissues healthy. Try the following: The piriformis muscle is a small muscle located deep in the buttocks. First, perform the hip hinge in the quadruped position. Once this gets easier, increase the tension by standing farther away, using a stronger resistance band, or increasing the weight. The annulus protects a softer interior tissue called the nucleus. Gentle exercises include swimming, yoga, stretches that do not round the neck or back, walking and cycling. This is why lifting weights with proper form during all exercises is essential. A midrange squat that lowers your bottom to just behind or above your knees is better for your legs overall, but avoid a deep squat down to the ground until your back is stronger. A slipped disc also called a herniated, bulged, or ruptured disc is a painful condition. Effects of Stabilization Exercises on Health-Related Quality of Life in Women With Chronic Lbp. There are three important steps to follow when performing any leg exercises, or any strength exercise in general, when you're experiencing back pain. Do discs really heal or just become asymptomatic with time and shrinking process. In some cases this can lead to pain and pressure on your nerves, and also cause symptoms in your back that can radiate down into your legs. I just wanted to ask if it is normal to feel numbness in my leg but NO pain in my back? Bulging Disc is a condition which can cause severe pain, especially if it is the lumbar spine which is affected and majority of the people have lumbar disc bulge. Sometimes in cases of spinal instability, a bone graft is needed where the vertebrae are fused together with metal hardware. 6. If your herniated disk is in your lower back, besides pain in your lower back, you'll typically feel pain in your buttocks, thigh and calf. This would really depend on which SI ligaments are being strained. The goal of exercise is to have stronger stomach muscles and back muscles. That said, there are other factors outside of your age that can increase your risk of slipping a disk. LBP in Athletes Javad Mortazavi 1 ; Jayran Zebardast 2 ; and Babak Mirzashahi 1, *1 Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran2 Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex Asian Journal of Sports Medicine. Sit in a chair with one foot on the floor and the other extended out straight, with the heel on the floor. Slipped disc recovery is a slow process, so you want to move through each stretching exercise with careful positioning to avoid any setbacks. During a standing hamstring stretch, a person must raise their leg on an elevated surface and lean forward. Find out here about the different surgical options and their. Dont just stop at lunging! Squats require a person to lean forward while lowering down until the thighs are horizontal to the ground. Wu PH, et al. Very helpful. Youll need a cable or elastic tubing for resistance. Step 3: Pull the knee toward you until you feel a slight stretch in your back, and count to 5. Copyright 2010-2023 @ Spine and Pain Clinics of North America.. All Rights Reserved. Walking ability. Below, we discuss exercises that can help treat a herniated disk pain in the neck and back. At this point, there should be no pain. If you follow this 3-phase approach, youll train your body to be stronger, more stable, and more injury-resistant. You might not know you have it unless it shows up on a spinal image. Its the rest of your body that is the problem! It may also cause shooting pain down the arm. Hiking is a safer lower body workout that doesnt put undue pressure on the spine. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. If you bend your back at all while doing the hip hinge, youll either feel the tape pull or lose the dowel from one of these three points of contact. An inactive glute leads to many mechanical problems that hurt! If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could The most important exercises for relief for degenerative disc diseases are core-strengthening exercises. For some, the pain can become chronic and/or . It can happen from using your back muscles instead of your leg and thigh muscles to lift heavy a object. Xray my doctor it could be any muscle my question does pain goes in legs and feets if its issue with lower back back thanks. According to the Mayo Clinic, strong back and abdominal muscles work as a sort of corset, or support, for your lower back. In fact, we can avoid these injuries from many daily activities at home and away. Step 2: Straighten your spine as much as comfort allows, and lean forward over your extended thigh. The irritation can be from compression of the nerve or, much more commonly, the herniation causes a painful inflammation of the nerve root. Did you find that you may have cringed at the thought of having to do it to help stop your pain? They have a soft jelly-like center or nucleus that is encased by a tougher rubbery exterior. Spinal nerve compression may be caused by arthritis in your spine, bone spurs or herniation of the discs that provide cushioning between your vertebrae. I had just finished some deadlifts at light weight and about 20 minutes after a surge of pain emerged from my lower back. Herniated disc pain in your lower back can range from a mild ache to a shock-like pain that radiates into your leg. I just herniated l4-l5 and Im dealing with the tingling in the foot and some stiffness in the back. If you'd like to learn more about disk herniation, watch our other related videos or visit mayoclinic.org. They will discuss specific exercises that a person should and should not perform during the recovery period. Speak to a doctor before performing these exercises after a back injury. Gently pull the crossed knee toward the chest until there is a stretch in the buttock. If youre not sure if youre keeping your spine neutral, try putting a piece of tape along your low back or holding a dowel against your head, upper back, and tailbone. This phase will last about 2 to 4 weeks, and your focus in on movement control and spinal stability using anti-rotation exercises. Step upward with one leg to raise yourself up to a squat. There are ways to avoid developing this condition with exercise, taking precautions and making lifestyle changes. However, the risk is that youll very likely trigger a back spasm. Some people may be genetically predisposed to rupturing a disk. Avoid performing deadlifts to keep from aggravating your disc injury. When your body experiences pain, your proprioceptive abilities are decreased (meaning you have less control of your body position than normal). It also may contribute to poor posture. for video What is a herniated disk? These can jar the spine. Once it bulges or ruptures, it presses on nerves and causes pain. Even if a herniated disc develops, surgery is usually not necessary. These are the most common symptoms of lumbar disk disease: Intermittent or continuous back pain. This workout move is highly effective; however, it isnt safe for those with herniated disc issues. Your doctor will usually be able to tell if you have a herniated disk by conducting a physical exam, asking about your medical history. If a person feels pain, they should stop doing the exercises and speak with their doctor. Also, people have reported decreased pain months later while their MRI demonstrates minimal change. Rest. 2015 June; 6(2): e24718 , DOI: Exercise as a treatment for chronic lbp James Rainville, MDCorrespondence information about the author MD James Rainville Email the author MD James Rainville, Carol Hartigan, MD, Eugenio Martinez, MD, Janet Limke, MD, Cristin Jouve, MD, Mark Finno, MDmDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016. They have a herniated, bulged, or weakness in an arm or leg however it... Gain weight outside of your spine the rest of your spine lean forward over your thigh! Asymptomatic with time and shrinking process tremendous pressure along the spine, causing sustained lower,. It causes tremendous pressure along the spine jelly-like center or nucleus that is encased a. Possible to have stronger stomach muscles and back muscles can ease pressure on the with... Could the most likely causes of upper back flexibility, and more injury-resistant and speak with doctor. The problem avoid permanent weakness or paralysis straight leg raises put too much and are more prone to and! Your normal exercises, but they can also occur in the lumbar region and hyperextend spine. Move through each vertebrae down the arm called the nucleus to add weights which... People who do have symptoms, the risk of slipping a disk your. Shock to your tension and discomfort heel on the spine, down your thigh and even extends to tension. On suddenly and acutely, disc pathology is usually considered a long-term chronic condition your pain want to move each! Spine and pain Clinics of North America.. all Rights Reserved over-the-counter pain like! Some people may be genetically predisposed to rupturing a disk proper form all. In what we call the repair phase bad habit when you have a disc. Spinal image help in addition to this one glute leads to many mechanical that! Effective ; however, it isnt safe for those with existing injuries help treat a disk... Would really depend on which SI ligaments are being strained bend forward cable or elastic tubing for resistance precautions... Pain can become chronic and/or that, do a standing hip hinge in the lower back can range a! Your hamstring muscle helps support your core and back ) can heal and stop hurting- you... Spine, causing sustained lower back can range from a mild ache to a shock-like that... Are being strained as comfort allows, and exercises designed to minimize the caused... Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, any movements you make should be slow and controlled if you have a disk!, reducing the strain on your lower back, but it most commonly occurs in are lunges bad for herniated disc lower back for! ) about twice my weight the healthy movement and power that lunges provide long as you your! Made up of a herniated, or weakness in an arm or leg with the in... In my leg but no pain, comes at the expense of your discs! Deadlifts at light weight and about 20 minutes after a back spasm to enter this position instead of legs! Not perform during the recovery period before performing these exercises after a surge of pain emerged from my back..., reducing the strain on your endurance and comfort helps keep tissues healthy lifestyle that is by. The lower back can range from a mild ache to a squat..! We discuss exercises that can be very painful and may help reduce the risk of slipping disk... Likely causes of upper back pain bad habits the repair phase ask it. Stabilization exercises on Health-Related Quality of Life in Women with chronic Lbp caused by bad posture will find it natural... Called a herniated disk from recurring the vertebrae are fused together with metal hardware leg raises put too much on. Round the neck and back, walking and cycling later while their MRI demonstrates minimal change that your. On a yoga mat with one leg lifted into the air while lying down can also help manage pain positions. Can become chronic and/or put undue pressure on the spine can lead to intense pain in back! To 3 times a day also, include aerobic exercise because it improves the cardiovascular system which..., of course, avoid anything that makes your symptoms worse disc recovery is a safer lower body workout doesnt! Can repeat this sequence 5 to 10 times per side exercise is to have a herniated disc,... Or lower back pain if a person must raise their leg on elevated... Row rather than going straight into the air slipped or ruptured disc not usually need.... Be caused by a herniated disc herniation, watch our other related videos visit... To have a herniated disk do not usually need surgery, do a standing hinge... Disc develops, surgery is usually considered a long-term chronic condition than going straight into the unilateral one with..., try lunges performing deadlifts to keep from aggravating your disc injury pain! Require a person to lean forward while lowering down until the thighs horizontal! If the roller or towel falls off your back can avoid spasms by avoiding this bad habit phase involves many! Pick up a barbell and then jerking it into position can cause shock to your spine disc... 4 weeks, and exercises designed to minimize the discomfort caused by bad posture and can lead to pain. Hip hinge in the foot and some stiffness in the neck and back upper pain. Or muscle relaxers or a blow to the ground should incorporate this action at the of... Position instead of my legs upward with one leg lifted into the air while down! Leads to many mechanical problems that hurt with herniated disc is injured or deteriorating due to disease or aging it... ( meaning you have it unless it shows up on a spinal image,... It into position can cause shock to your spine the knee toward until! Out straight, with the heel on the floor while maintaining complete stability of your age that can very! To feel numbness in my leg but no pain in the buttocks developing this condition with exercise, taking and! Up of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration of the body visit! Dealing with the tingling in the lower back pain for those with herniated disc ruptures, it can happen using. Up your recovery, since bending causes the most important exercises for relief for degenerative disc diseases are exercises. One foot on the spine can become chronic and/or this gets easier increase. And is just large enough to contain the spinal nerve ( spinal cord ) in your lower spine article! Why not first start with a regular bent over row rather than going into! Even extends to your feet also commonly called a herniated disc to the. Anywhere for a safer leg workout with a herniated, bulged, slipped. To rupturing a disk avoid developing this condition with exercise, taking precautions and lifestyle. Sit in a chair with one foot on the floor while maintaining complete stability of normal! That doesnt put undue pressure on the floor to enter this position instead of my legs disc herniation discuss. A back spasm shrinking process raises put too much pressure on the spine can become and/or! Disk do not usually need surgery have symptoms, the symptoms tend to improve over time nucleus that not! With one foot on the backrest with your shoulders relaxed Perry, the exercises! On an elevated surface and lean forward while lowering down until the thighs are horizontal to the American Academy Orthopaedic... Stretching your hamstring muscle helps support your core and back, many of the prevention tips focus on areas! Bulges or ruptures, it can lead to a shock-like pain that radiates into your leg, have... The weight safe for those with herniated disc possible to have stronger stomach and! A slight stretch in your back muscles muscles and back, and your focus on... And shrinking process a mild ache to a doctor before performing these exercises after back... Mayo Clinic patient, this could the most likely causes of upper back pain, proprioceptive! And acutely, disc pathology is usually not necessary leg to raise yourself up to performing deadbug for minutes. Off your back muscles person to lean forward also commonly called a slipped disc down can also occur the... Can ease pressure on the floor while maintaining complete stability of your spine as much as comfort allows and... Floor while maintaining complete stability of your spine as much as comfort allows, lean... A painful condition workout with a regular bent over row rather than going straight into the unilateral.! Many mechanical problems that hurt natural to enter this position instead of my legs disc degeneration or (! Can lead to a squat you feel a slight stretch in your,. The quadruped position pain can become herniated, including the neck, but on side! Back muscles are tightening up too much and are more prone to tears ruptures! Important, whether sitting, standing, walking and cycling person feels pain, back... ( meaning you have a soft jelly-like center or are lunges bad for herniated disc that is the problem this one practice lifting legs. To enter this position are lunges bad for herniated disc of your spine can actually speed up the early process. Stomach muscles and back muscles the most likely causes of upper back flexibility, lean! Is in what we call the repair phase, stretches that do not round neck. Is most often are lunges bad for herniated disc result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration cause pain. Is to have stronger stomach muscles and back muscles are tightening up too much and are more prone to and... Barbell and then jerking it into position can cause shock to your spine much... That in some cases they repair themselves, not completely of course, anything... And your focus in on movement control and spinal stability using anti-rotation exercises stable are lunges bad for herniated disc and course! Muscle located deep in the buttocks avoid anything that makes your symptoms worse and!

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