Treatment FAQ

what is the treatment for herniated disc

by Dr. Concepcion Cruickshank IV Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Medication

While there are surgical treatment options for herniated discs, most cases respond to less-invasive forms of treatment such as medication, chiropractic care, and physical therapy. There are a variety of surgeries that can remove the portion of the nucleus that is protruding into the spinal canal, or in severe cases, the entire disc, but this costs the spine in terms of functional …

Procedures

Jan 18, 2022 · Intentional spinal movements as a part of a physical therapy program can be an effective form of herniated disc treatment when done correctly. The spine can move in six primary ways: Neutral (this is the natural position you maintain when you’re sitting or standing with good posture and with your core muscles activated).

Therapy

For lumbar and cervical herniated discs, conservative (non-surgical) treatments can usually be applied for around four to six weeks to help reduce pain and discomfort. A process of trial and error is often necessary to find the right combination of treatments.

Self-care

Oct 18, 2021 · The treatment involves placing a needle into the herniated disc using X-ray guidance. Depending on the type of decompression therapy, excess disc tissue is either dissolved through radio waves or removed by a revolving needle.

Nutrition

What they’re most likely explaining is a herniated disc. This condition is a typical source of back and leg pain. Discs are soft cushions found between the vertebrae that make up the back column (your foundation). The discs between the vertebrae allow the back to move easily and act as shock absorbers. The disc is made up of 2 primary areas.

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May 23, 2016 · NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often effective for short-term relief of associated pain and inflammation caused by herniated disc in the lower back. Oral steroids: This form of medication is used to reduce the body’s inflammatory response and lessen swelling that happens in the body.

How to heal a herniated disc naturally?

Apr 04, 2022 · Herniated disc lower back treatment. The treatment for herniated disc is not just limited to surgery and this is why this customised disc rehabilitation programme will help in your recovery. One person may feel better within just 2 to 4 weeks while another person may require at least 3 to 6 months to bulletproof and help to heal a herniated disc.

How long for herniated disc to heal without surgery?

Can herniated discs heal by themselves without surgery?

How does physical therapy help herniated disc?

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What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?

How to heal a herniated disc quicklyAlternate applying heat and cold.Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.Jan 27, 2022

Can a herniated disc heal on its own?

The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever and limit activities that cause pain or discomfort.Sep 1, 2020

What is the most common treatment for herniated discs?

Herniated Disc Treatment OptionsOral medications and/or steroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation.Physical therapy to reduce stiffness and pressure on the nerves in the spine.Hot or cold packs for pain relief.Manual manipulation, such as massage or chiropractic care.

How do you fix a herniated disc?

Herniated/bulging/slipped disk: The procedure is called microdiscectomy. The surgeon removes the part of the disk that's pushing on a nerve. There are two ways to do this. In the traditional method, the doctor makes an inch-long cut and detaches the muscles on one side of your back.Jan 23, 2016

Is walking good for herniated disc?

Absolutely. Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.Jan 14, 2019

Do herniated discs show up on xray?

X-rays. Plain X-rays don't detect herniated disks, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection, tumor, spinal alignment issues or a broken bone.Feb 8, 2022

Is a herniated disc serious?

A herniated disc is a common spinal disorder, and it typically responds well to conservative treatment like gentle exercise or over-the-counter pain medication. But some ruptured disc symptoms warrant a trip to your doctor to prevent serious—and potentially permanent—nerve complications.

How does a surgeon fix a herniated disc?

Discectomy is the most common surgery used for herniated disc in the lumbar region. In this procedure, the portion of the disc that is causing the pressure on your nerve root is removed. In some cases, the entire disc is removed. The surgeon will access the disc through an incision in your back (or neck).

How painful is a herniated disc?

A herniated disk is a common condition that can be painful and debilitating. People also refer to it as a slipped disk or disk prolapse. In some cases, it can lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in the limbs. However, some people experience no pain, particularly if the disk does not press on any nerves.

How does a person get a herniated disc?

Disk herniation is most often the result of a gradual, aging-related wear and tear called disk degeneration. As people age, the disks become less flexible and more prone to tearing or rupturing with even a minor strain or twist.Feb 8, 2022

How do I sleep with a herniated disc?

If you have a herniated disc, you may want to try sleeping on your side curled in a fetal position:Lay on your back and then roll over gently onto your side.Tuck your knees toward your chest and gently curl your torso toward your knees.Remember to switch sides from time to time to prevent any imbalances.3 days ago

What is the best medication for herniated disc pain?

What is the best medication for a herniated disc?Best medications for a herniated discMotrin, Advil (ibuprofen)Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugsOralOxyContin (oxycodone)OpioidOralPercocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen)OpioidOralVicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen)OpioidOral4 more rows•Oct 5, 2020

How long does it take to heal a herniated disc?

For lumbar and cervical herniated discs, conservative (non-surgical) treatments can usually be applied for around four to six weeks to help reduce pain and discomfort. A process of trial and error is often necessary to find the right combination of treatments.

What is the best treatment for nerve pain?

Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root. Ice and heat therapy for pain relief. Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief.

How to treat a swollen nerve root?

A combination of the following conservative treatment options can be used through at least the first six weeks of discomfort and pain: 1 Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root 2 Ice and heat therapy for pain relief 3 Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation) 4 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief 5 Narcotic pain medications for pain relief 6 Oral steroids to decrease inflammation for pain relief 7 Epidural injections to decrease inflammation for pain relief

Can conservative surgery be used for pain?

For those patients who experience severe pain and a high loss of function and don’t find relief from conservative treatments, surgery may be considered as an option.

Is trial and error necessary?

A process of trial and error is often necessary to find the right combination of treatments. Patients may try one treatment at a time or may find it helpful to use a combination of treatment options at once.

Can you have spine surgery for a herniated disc?

In general, patients usually are advised to start with a course of conservative care (non-surgical) prior to considering spine surgery for a herniated disc. Whereas this is true in general, for some patients early surgical intervention is beneficial.

How to treat a herniated disc?

Some exercises can help improve the symptoms of a herniated disc. A physical therapist can teach you which ones strengthen the muscles that support your back. Physical therapy programs also include: 1 Stretching exercises to keep your muscles flexible 2 Aerobic exercises -- such as walking or riding a stationary bicycle 3 Massage 4 Ice and heat 5 Ultrasound therapy 6 Electrical muscle stimulation

How to protect your spine from a herniated disk?

To protect your spine and prevent another herniated disk, you should always sit and stand up straight. If you have to stand for a long period of time , rest one foot on a stool or box to take pressure off your back. Be careful when you lift anything heavy. Squat from your knees to pick it up.

How long does it take for a herniated disk to heal?

Most people with a herniated disk don't need surgery. Rest and other treatments should start to improve your symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks. But if your pain doesn’t improve, surgery might be an option. Talk to your doctor about surgery if: You’re not getting relief from pain relievers, injections, and physical therapy.

What is the bone that is removed from a herniated disc?

Sometimes your surgeon will also need to remove a small piece of bone called the lamina from the vertebra. The lamina forms a protective cover over your spinal cord. Removing part or all of it helps the surgeon access your herniated disk. It also can relieve pressure on your nerves and eliminate leg pain and sciatica.

What is the best medicine for back spasms?

And nerve pain medicines, such as amitriptyline ( Elavil, Vanatrip ), duloxetine ( Cymbalta ), ...

How to get rid of a swollen ear?

Medications. Take an over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen ( Motrin, Advil) or naproxen ( Aleve, Naprosyn ). These medicines can help relieve your pain and bring down swelling. Just don't use these for more than 10 days without talking to your doctor.

What is the procedure called when you have two disks in your back?

This is called spinal fusion . Fusing the two disks will stop the bones from moving and prevent you from having any more pain. Artificial disk surgery. Only a few people are good candidates for artificial disk surgery because it only works on certain disks in your lower back.

How many treatments for herniated disc?

Typically, you need to do about three to eight treatments, and you will see phenomenal results by doing prolotherapy if you stick to it. ( 9)

What is the best supplement for herniated discs?

The best supplements for healing a herniated disc include a collagen protein or a protein powder made from bone broth. Those contain the amino acids glutamine, glycine, proline, as well as arginine. These are the amino acids that your body needs for collagen production and help heal damaged tissues.

What is the difference between a bulging disc and a herniated disc?

The main difference between the two is that a bulging disc is thought to be caused by pressure that forces the disc to stretch, while on the other hand a herniated disc is primarily caused from a crack developing in the tough outer layer of the disc’s cartilage.

What is collagen made of?

In order to do that, collagen is found in protein powder made from bone broth or bone broth liquid. ( 3) Drinking bone broth on a regular basis is the No. 1 dietary thing you can do.

Why do I have a herniated disc?

Part of what can cause herniated discs is if you get what’s called a military neck and losing the curve in your neck. It also can result from having too much or too little curve in your lumbar spine or having a condition like a spondylolisthesis that can cause instability of your lumbar spine or your cervical spine.

What is the best way to heal a damaged disc?

First off, you need to give your body the specific nutrients it needs in order to heal the area, and that means you need to follow what I call the collagen diet. Your body needs collagen to help heal and repair a damaged disc and tissues. In order to do that, collagen is found in protein powder made from bone broth or bone broth liquid. ( 3)

What to eat to help a herniated disc?

For instance, combine chicken, celery, onions, carrots, some organic chicken and some chicken bone broth. That’s going to give you some of the nutrients you need to help heal and repair your low back, stiff neck or wherever you might have a herniated disc.

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc in the lower back is a disc that becomes damaged, often through trauma of some sort. These discs are somewhat “rubbery” structures that sit between each vertebra in the spine. They work to cushion the impact between the bones, provide flexibility and protect the nerve structures within the spine.

Non-Surgical Treatment Options

There are many non-surgical options for treating a herniated disc in the lower back. Unfortunately, these don’t always alleviate the pain and debilitating symptoms that accompany a herniated disc. These treatments include:

Surgical Treatment Options

You may be curious about the different types of surgeries available for treating a herniated disc in your lower back. There are several surgical options available for those who suffer from herniated discs. When you’ve exhausted all your other options, it’s wise to educate yourself on the different procedures used to alleviate impinged nerve pain.

Conclusion

The decision as to which procedure would be most beneficial to you is one that needs to be made by you and your surgeon. Surgery is not a one-size-fits-all undertaking; there are many factors that make you a better candidate for certain procedures.

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Treatment

Clinical Trials

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Your provider will work with you to develop a care plan that may include one or more of these treatment options.
Not all herniated discs require intervention. Treatment may include medication, physiotherapy and surgery.
Medication

Analgesics: To relieve pain.

Ibuprofen


Narcotics: To relieve severe pain.

Codeine


Anticonvulsants: Treats radiating nerve pain.

Gabapentin


Muscle relaxants: To manage muscle spasms.

Metaxalone

Procedures

Spinal surgery: To correct abnormalities.

Therapeutic ultrasound: Uses heat and vibrations from sound waves to treat injuries.

Epidural steroid injection: Injection of cortisone reduces back, neck, arm and leg pain.

Therapy

Physical therapy:Minimizes pain through exercises. Stretching improves flexibility and physical function

Self-care

Always talk to your provider before starting anything.

  • Physical exercise - improves cardiovascular health
  • Heating pad - soothes painful muscles
  • Avoid bed rest and continue low impact activities

Nutrition

Foods to eat:

  • Calcium rich foods such as milk, vegetables, nuts
  • Antioxidants such as oranges
  • Omega 3 fatty acids rich foods such as salmon, fish
  • Sulphur rich foods such as onions, garlic, cabbage
  • Fiber rich foods such as whole grains, nuts, vegetables

Foods to avoid:

  • Processed foods high in nitrites such as Processed meat
  • High sugar, saturated fats, trans fat foods
  • Foods containing corn syrup

Specialist to consult

Neurologist
Specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system, which includes the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves.
Neurosurgeon
Specializes in surgery on the nervous system, especially the brain and spinal cord.
Emergency medicine specialist
Specializes in identifying and managing illnesses or injuries requiring immediate medical attention.
Orthopedic surgeon
Specializes in the surgery of bone and joint disorders.
Primary care physician
Specializes in the acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health.

Preparing For Your Appointment

  • Conservative treatment — mainly modifying activities to avoid movement that causes pain and taking pain medication — relieves symptoms in most people within a few days or weeks.
See more on mayoclinic.org

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