Herniated disc pain can range from mild to severe and debilitating. But when a herniated disc presses on the nerves in your spine, you may experience more than pain. Your symptoms may include weakness, numbness, and tingling in the legs and feet, reduced mobility, and, in extreme cases, loss of bowel control. This is why treating a herniated disc is crucial to your health and quality of life. In this guide, we review the treatment options for a herniated disc, from the mildest to the most serious.
Rest
The mildest forms of disc herniation may not require treatment and may go away with some rest. Your doctor may recommend taking things easy for a few days to allow your back time to heal and stop swelling. During this time, avoid strenuous activity that could exacerbate your injury. However, try to move around for a few minutes every day so your muscles and joints don’t stiffen.
Medications
If a few days of rest fail to improve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend herniated disc medication. You can try over-the-counter pain relievers like naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or Aspirin to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. However, you should not use OTC medications for more than 10 days without talking to your doctor, especially if your pain persists.
Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and maybe prescribe prescription-grade medication. Medications used to treat herniated disc pain include corticosteroids, nerve pain medication, and muscle relaxants (to reduce muscle spasms). Your doctor may also prescribe antidepressants or opioids with caution because the latter carries a risk of addiction.
Physical Therapy
Many treatment regimens for herniated disc pain include some form of physical therapy. Often segmented into active and passive therapies, this treatment involves movements designed to stabilize your back. Your physical therapist creates a program with different exercises to increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, and improve your spinal health.
Epidural Steroid Injections
If medications and physical therapy fail to alleviate your pain, your doctor may inject medication directly into the affected area. The medication is usually a corticosteroid, delivered into the space around your spinal nerves to ease pain. This form of treatment is called an epidural steroid injection (ESI) and is a temporary solution. Once the steroid wears off, you may feel pain again.
The Discseel® Procedure
The Discseel® Procedure is a more permanent albeit minimally invasive procedure. A specialist injects a specialized adhesive into the affected disc, helping to seal it and stop leaks that could be causing inflammation. The Discseel procedure is usually performed in a doctor’s office and does not require general anesthesia or incisions. You can usually resume your regular activities in a few days.
Surgery
The Discseel procedure is highly effective and can eliminate the need for surgery. However, it does not work for all presentations of disc herniation. In the most severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery. Surgeries used to treat disc herniation include a discectomy, lumbar laminotomy, and spinal fusion, where a surgeon fuses two vertebrae to stabilize your spine.
Wrapping Up
Like herniated disc pain, treatments for a herniated disc exist at different levels. The best way to determine the appropriate treatment for your condition is to consult a spine specialist. Your specialist will use imaging and other tests to determine the best way to restore your spinal health.