These treatments for herniated disc in the neck or lumbar spine may include:
- Activity restriction. Your doctor may recommend you avoid lifting or related activities that could exacerbate the...
- Bed rest for a maximum of two days to relieve pain. Do not stay in bed longer than two days, because this can cause your...
- Braces. Treatment of a herniated disc in the lumbar...
What are the best treatment options for a herniated disc?
Cervical Traction is a popular and often effective treatment for a herniated disc in the neck. For an active disc herniation, traction should be used gently and is usually prescribed and administered by a physical therapist or chiropractor. If the herniations are not active, you should have a comprehensive approach.
How to heal a herniated disc naturally?
Depending on the severity and specific location of the herniated disc, many effective treatments are available. Doctors typically first suggest a conservative approach to relief. Common methods include hot and cold compresses, anti-inflammatory or pain medication, physical therapy or lifestyle changes like posture improvement or weight loss.
Can a herniated disc heal on its own over time?
Laminectomy to remove part of the bone around a herniated disk and expand your spinal canal. Artificial disk surgery to replace a damaged herniated disk with an artificial one. Spinal fusion …
When is surgery the right treatment for your herniated disc?
There are also many proven non-invasive treatment options that can provide fast relief from a herniated disc in the neck. These include chiropractic care and physical therapy. Who Is At …
What is the best treatment for herniated discs in neck?
Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity. If symptoms continue, surgery may be recommended.
How serious is a herniated disc in the neck?
In some patients, a cervical herniated disc can cause spinal cord compression, where disc material pushes on the spinal cord. This is a much more serious condition and may require a more aggressive treatment plan. Spinal cord compression symptoms include: Awkward or stumbling gait.
How long does it take for a herniated disc in the neck to heal?
In most cases cervical disc herniations improve with time and symptomatic treatment. This can take 6-12 weeks. Improvement is usually seen within 2-3 weeks and full recovery in the ensuing 2-3 months.
Does herniated disc in neck require surgery?
Most disc bulges can be treated without resorting to surgery, which is preferable in cases where it is possible. However, it is relatively more likely for a cervical disc bulge to require surgery, because the location of the bulge sometimes makes the condition more urgent.
What happens if a herniated disc goes untreated?
Nerve Damage When a herniated disc puts significant pressure on a nerve, it can lead to significant damage by cutting off nerve impulses. Compressed nerves can lead to significant conditions, including loss of sensation in lower extremities or even loss of bowel control.
How should I sleep with a herniated disc in my neck?
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.
Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc in neck?
Nine out of ten individuals with a herniated disc can heal their condition through non-invasive procedures. If you want to explore conservative options for recovery, chiropractic care is an excellent place to start. A chiropractor can help you heal naturally and relieve your pain.
What does a herniated disc in neck feel like?
For a herniated disk in your neck, you'll typically feel the most pain in your shoulder and arm. This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling.
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.
Is herniated disc surgery worth it?
But disc surgery is faster and works better for bad pain, a large U.S. study finds. The study shows that patients with a "slipped" or "ruptured" disc -- what doctors call a herniated disc --won't get worse or become paralyzed if they don't have surgery. Instead, they can expect to get better over time.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck c5 c6?
Symptoms of c5-c6 disc herniation can include numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, problems with vision, and more.
How do you know when you need neck surgery?
When is Neck Surgery Necessary? If you have tried conservative treatment options and symptoms did not subside. ... You develop signs of progressive nerve damage. ... There is pressure on the spinal cord.
How to treat a herniated disc in the neck?
As part of treatment for a herniated disc in the neck, the initial neck exercises are easy to do and can provide immediate relief in some cases. When doing neck exercises, it is important not to cause pain or push into the direction of pain. Movements that decrease pain of a herniated disc are good and can be repeated, as in the neck pain exercises.
What is the best treatment for herniated neck?
Cold or ice therapy for neck pain can be used until the inflammation is gone and then heat treatment can help to relax muscles and may aid with traction treatment. With a herniation, the structure is deep, so infrared heat would be the best because it penetrated deep.
How to help muscle spasms?
Another method to help with pain and muscle spasm is the use of electrical stimulation. This is a battery powered electrical device that can be set up for treatment in the specific areas of pain by use of self adhesive electrodes.
What is a Saunders neck traction device?
The Saunders Neck Traction device is a good, high end product and can be used to target specific areas of the neck by the use of angling , often prescribed by a doctor or therapist. These take a little bit longer to get used to as there is more of a learning curve in using them.
Do collars tie down?
After using the collar type for a while, you will either be satisfied with the relief provided or you may feel you need a more precise type of traction. Then I would go with the units that are used lying down – on the floor or a firm surface. It does tie you down and some people feel restricted by this. They will provide a traction that is more rehabilitative for the neck in general. They can maintain a beneficial curve or angle to the neck while decompression is being applied and thus require less traction force.
Can you use traction collars in a sitting position?
What I usually recommend is to initially use a traction collar. This makes it easy to apply and use. You can use them in a sitting position and, although the traction levels are potentially greater, you use it to tolerance or to your comfort level.
What is cervical traction?
Cervical Traction is a popular and often effective treatment for a herniated disc in the neck. For an active disc herniation, traction should be used gently and is usually prescribed and administered by a physical therapist or chiropractor. If the herniations are not active, you should have a comprehensive approach.
What are the treatments for a herniated disc?
Herniated disc surgeries and nerve decompression. Nonsurgical treatments for a herniated disc. Alternative treatments for a herniated disc — popular options. Relieving your herniated disc symptoms with physical therapy. Alternative treatments for a herniated disc — acupuncture. One of the most frequently diagnosed causes ...
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck?
Common specific symptoms described are shooting pain, numbness and muscle weakness in the different parts of the body. Since the spinal nerve roots exit at different vertebrae and travel out to the upper body a herniated disc in the neck can cause symptoms in the following locations: Neck. Shoulders. Arms.
Can a herniated disc hurt in the neck?
Symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck. While a herniated disc in the neck, or a cervical herniated disc, is less common than a herniated disc in the lower back, or a herniated lumbar disc, cervical discs are still prone to injury and age-related deterioration. The pain experienced from a herniated disc in the neck is usually due ...
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 get rid of herniated disk pain?
This is called an epidural injection. The steroid can help bring down the swelling, help you move more easily, and ease pain from a herniated disk. Your doctor will use an X-ray or CT scan to find the right spot to inject the medicine. You might need more than one steroid shot to relieve your pain. Surgery.
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 best medicine for back pain?
And nerve pain medicines, such as amitriptyline ( Elavil, Vanatrip ), duloxetine ( Cymbalta ), gabapentin ( Neurontin ), pregabalin ( Lyrica ), and tramadol ( Ultram) are options to ease nerve-damage pain.
How to stop back pain from a sprain?
You need to keep moving so your joints and muscles don't stiffen up. You can also use ice and heat to help relieve your pain. Just place an ice pack or warm wet towel on the area of your back that is sore. You can alternate hot and cold, or use whichever feels best.
How to help a back that hurts?
Rest can relieve swelling and give your back time to heal. While your back hurts, avoid exercise and other activities where you have to bend or lift.
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.
What is the procedure to remove a herniated disk?
Diskectomy to remove your herniated disk. Laminectomy to remove part of the bone around a herniated disk and expand your spinal canal. Artificial disk surgery to replace a damaged herniated disk with an artificial one. Spinal fusion to directly join two or more vertebrae together to make your spine more stable.
What is a herniated disk?
A herniated disk is also known as a slipped disk or ruptured disk; it is one of the most common causes of back and leg pain. Herniated disks usually happen in the lower part of the spine.
What does it mean when your neck is herniated?
Herniated or disk in the neck (herniated cervical disk) Symptoms of a herniated disk in your neck include: Pain near or between your shoulder blades. Pain that travels to your shoulder, arm and sometimes your hand and fingers. Neck pain, especially in the back and on the sides of your neck. Pain that increases when bending or turning your neck.
What age group is most likely to get a herniated disk?
People ages 30 to 50 are most likely to get a herniated disk. The problem affects men twice as often as women. Other risk factors include: Sitting for long periods in the same position. Being overweight. Lifting heavy objects. Repetitive bending or twisting motions for work, sports or hobbies. Smoking.
What is it called when a vertebrae tear?
The disks act as buffers between your bones, allowing you to bend and move with ease. When one of these disks tears or leaks, it’s called a herniated disk .
How long does it take for a herniated disk to heal?
For up to 90% of people, herniated disk pain gets better on its own or with simple medical care. You’ll probably feel better within a month. If you don’t, you should see your healthcare provider. Some people need more aggressive medical measures, such as spinal injections or surgery.
What is spinal fusion?
Spinal fusion to directly join two or more vertebrae together to make your spine more stable.
What is the best treatment for a herniated disc in the neck?
These include chiropractic care and physical therapy.
What is the treatment for a sprained disc?
The treatment was a multi-faceted approach that included spinal manipulation, flexion distraction, physical therapy, traction, and exercises. 80% of the patients reported improvement in symptoms, and 63% showed partial or complete resorption of the disc. 78% were able to return to work following the treatment.
Is chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy better than medication?
In the end, the study showed that both chiropractic spinal manipulation therapy and home exercise with advice were superior to medication treatment in the long and short term.
Does Better Health Chiropractic help with herniated discs?
This kind of evidence support s what we do at Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab. We always take a multimodal approach to treating herniated discs in the neck, which has enabled us to help thousands of Alaskans find relief from neck pain.
How many studies have been done on neck pain?
Based on the evidence of these 41 studies, the authors were able to offer strong recommendations for treatment of neck pain that includes:
Can chiropractic care help herniated discs?
A private practice study of 27 patients detailed the effects of chiropractic care for herniated discs in the cervical spine. All the patients had symptoms of a herniated disc, and all herniations were confirmed by MRI before treatment started.
What is the best way to determine if a disc is herniated?
A Computed Tomography scan is often used to confirm which disc is herniated through the use of a two-dimensional image of the neck.
How to treat a herniated disc?
Most cases of cervical herniated disc pain can be successfully managed with nonsurgical treatments, such as over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the neck, ice or heat packs, and/or activity modifications to avoid painful movements until the pain has subsided. Occasionally, oral steroids or an epidural ...
What does it feel like to have a herniated disc in your neck?
The pain can range from an aching in the neck, arm, and/or hand to electric-like pain that radiates into these same areas. Sometimes arm or hand numbness or weakness may also be present. While a cervical herniated disc may originate from some sort of trauma or neck injury, the symptoms commonly start spontaneously.
What is the rate of cervical herniated discs?
The rate of cervical herniated discs occurring in the adult population has been estimated to be between 0.5% and 2%. 1 Although, many cases of cervical herniated disc may go undiagnosed and estimates could vary by population.
When is a cervical herniated disc most likely to develop?
Some estimates suggest that a cervical herniated disc is most likely to develop between ages 30 and 50. 2 Most studies have found men to be at higher risk for a cervical herniated disc, 1 but a recent study suggests women may be at higher risk. 3.
What is the cause of herniated disc?
A herniated disc occurs when part or all of its protective outer layer tears and some of the nucleus pulposus leaks into the tear. A herniated disc typically causes the most pain when the nucleus pulposus, which contains inflammatory proteins, leaks out of the disc and onto a nearby nerve root. Less commonly, a herniated disc may leak onto the spinal cord.
What are the two main components of a disc?
A disc has 2 basic components. Annulus fibrosus. This sturdy outer layer is constructed of concentric collagen fibers, which make the disc strong enough to shield its soft inner layer. The annulus fibrosus helps to handle the spine’s heavy loads and absorb shocks. Nucleus pulposus.
How many discs are there in the cervical spine?
There are 6 intervertebral discs in the cervical spine. Each cervical disc is situated between adjacent vertebrae (one above and one below) to cushion the vertebral bodies and help distribute loads from the neck and head above. A disc has 2 basic components. Annulus fibrosus.
What is a Cervical Herniated Disc?
The cervical region of your spine is made up of a series of the seven vertebrae that lie between the base of your skull to roughly the level of the top of your shoulders. Each of these vertebrae (and the ones below, too) have a disc of springy tissue between each one.
Treating the Cervical Herniated Disc
If you suspect you may be suffering from a cervical herniated disc it is important that you seek out help and diagnosis. While in some cases the injury will heal on its own with rest and a modified routine, others will require treatment, including both surgical and non-surgical methods. These include:
The Right Surgery for You
Both of the above surgeries have their advantages. In the case of posterior cervical microdiscectomy, it allows for a quick recovery time with a minimally invasive technique used. Because the muscles are not cut, but rather moved apart for this surgery, there is a much shorter recovery time and less pain and blood loss associated.
Recovering from Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery
While each person recovers from surgery at their own rate, generally, both of the above surgeries tend to have shorter recovery times than more invasive surgeries. In the case of both, muscle and other structures are not compromised, meaning healing times are much shorter.
Choosing the Right Surgeon
As with anything concerning your health and well-being, choosing the best possible surgeon and the most appropriate treatments will help ensure a positive outcome. When you’re seeking a surgeon, make sure they have a great deal of experience performing the particular surgery you’re undergoing.