Often the result of wear on the vertebrae, a herniated disk can be painful and limiting. The disk is the fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones in the spine. When this little sac ruptures or slips out-of-place, it bumps into nearby nerves. This unaccustomed contact causes pain, discomfort or numbness. A common ailment with increasing age, herniated disks present symptoms of varied intensity. The degree of pain or inconvenience for the sufferer determines the course of herniated disk treatment.
At-Home Remedies. After the diagnosis, the doctor will likely suggest some low-impact treatments. These include over the-counter drugs as well as simple behavioral advice. Most people suffering from a herniated disk respond to this level of treatment.
Non-Prescription Pain Relievers
Naproxen, acetaminophen and ibuprofen each reduce inflammation and pain. Though these drugs are available over-the-counter, they are potent, and taking more than the recommended dose can harm health. A doctor can help with advice about the right kind of non-prescription pain reliever to take.
Cold and Heat
Applying a cold pack to the painful part of the back contracts inflamed muscle and relieves pain. This treatment helps a great deal when the disk has recently ruptured and swelling is at its greatest. A heating pad or warm pack helps with residual pain.
Continued Physical Activity
Though pain or weakness seem like good reasons to rest the back, excessive bedrest worsens the symptoms of a herniated disk. Moving around too little allows muscles to grow weaker and prevents the body from healing. Periods of rest interspersed with periods of normal activity throughout the day keep the back muscles in shape.
Prescription Remedies. If over-the-counter drugs fail to ease herniated disk pain, the doctor will turn to prescription medications.
Prescription Pain Relievers
These can include narcotics, such as hydrocodone or codeine. While they can do away with pain, narcotics are very addictive and induce a mental fogginess that can itself be dangerous.
More narrowly-focused medicines designed to target damaged nerves that create chronic pain may be a better choice, as they have fewer undesirable side effects. Gabapentin and Cymbalta are two drugs that act in different ways to minimize nerve pain. These drugs are less addictive than narcotics.
Muscle Relaxants
If the muscles around the herniated disc experience painful spasms, a muscle relaxant such as Valium may be useful. The drawback to drugs like these is that they do not limit their power to the affected nerve. Instead, they have a generally relaxing effect and will interfere with daily activities.
Steroids
If inflammation is severe, a doctor may also prescribe a steroid. Steroids, such as cortisone, reduce swelling quickly. A cortisone shot directly in the affected area will have an immediate effect on the displaced disk.
Physical Therapy. Physical therapists show herniated-disk sufferers ways to move that do not cause pain. Occupational therapists teach skills that allow patients to return to a productive life.
Surgery. Only rarely do surgeons become involved in treating a herniated disk. Patients unresponsive to more conservative treatments, or those with complex disk injuries, may receive the suggestion of surgery. The surgeon most often removes the overlapping fragment of disc. In some cases, however, replacement with an artificial disk may be necessary.
Aspen Integrative Medicine offers a non surgical alternative to herniated disc treatment. Located in the Aspen Valley region of Colorado, this center focuses on non surgical alternatives to healing. Contact us today to see how your old injuries can be finally healed.
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