WHICH HERNIATED DISC TREATMENT BRINGS FASTEST RELIEF?Herniated Disc Treatment ranges from simple and easy treatments you can do yourself at home, to surgical intervention. It is almost always in your best interest to try conservative treatments before ever contemplating surgery. If you read the story of my patients’ husband whose life was ruined after unsuccessful disc surgery you will understand why I say this. A disc herniation can be very frustrating to suffer with. It can be very painful and cause almost total disability. Most of the time herniations will not cause total disability. If you can wait it out, there is a good chance that your body will reabsorb the herniated part of your disc and your pain will stop.
Best Herniated Disc TreatmentsThe best herniated disc treatment will depend somewhat on these factors:1. The severity of your symptoms 2. Your activity level 3. Your age Rest – You should rest and avoid the activities that aggravate your symptoms. Remember, you will probably recover from your herniation if you give it time. Ice – Ice should be the first thing you think of whenever you are injured or are experiencing pain. Use ice for 15-20 minutes every hour, right on your lower back even if your pain radiates down your leg. It may take a few ice treatments before you start to get relief, so keep using ice often for the first three days.
Sleeping Position – You may not think that your sleeping position is a herniated disc treatment; however, since you spend so much time sleeping you need to be sure that you are not aggravating your injured disc while sleeping. If you sleep on your back you need to have a pillow under your knees to take pressure off your low back. If you sleep on your side, you need a pillow between your knees to keep pressure off your low back. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach as this position puts harmful strain on both your neck and low back. Chiropractic – The chiropractic profession spends more time studying the back and all the anatomy in that area than any other profession. There are precise chiropractic techniques that are very successful in herniated disc treatment. Many chiropractors will also prescribe specific exercises to strengthen your any weak back muscles. Physical Therapy – PT also teaches lumbar stabilization exercises that can reduce the load on the bones and discs in your spine. Stable back muscles will help you heal and minimize the likelihood of another disc injury. Medication – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain and inflammation reduction. Some of the pressure on the spinal nerves caused by your disc herniation may be relieved if the inflammation is reduced with NSAIDs. Even though these drugs are widely prescribed, they need to be used with caution. There are many side effects, including death, experienced by some who take this medication. Oral Steroids – These powerful anti-inflammatory medications, such as Prednisone, reduce inflammation around the compressed nerves and provide relief. There are many harmful side effects to oral steroids so they shouldn’t be taken for any longer than absolutely necessary. Epidural Steroids – Injection of steroids such as cortisone directly into the area of pain may reduce compression on your spinal nerves and provide relief. Narcotic medication – Narcotic medications should only be used for short term management of severe pain. They make you drowsy and are known to be addictive. Surgery – If you have had conservative herniated disc treatment and have not had any relief after three months you may need to consider surgery. Certainly, if you are developing weakness or bowel or bladder problems you should see your medical doctor immediately. This could be a rare medical emergency requiring surgery.
To Your Best Health, Dr. Cliff
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