A herniated disc in the lower back can cause a bevy of uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness that travel from the lumbar spine and down through the lower extremities. The good news is that about 90 percent of individuals who suffer from this condition are able to find relief with conservative, non-surgical treatments, which means that surgery will likely never become an option for most people.

Your doctor will provide you with a customized treatment plan for your herniated disc pain, though common approaches to pain relief include over-the-counter or prescription analgesics, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, hot/cold compresses, gentle stretching, and low-impact exercise. There is also quite a bit to be said for behavior modification as a treatment method, which involves avoiding activities that could be detrimental to your spine.

Behavior Modification – Treatment for a Herniated Disc in the Lower Back

Establishing a daily routine of behavior modification is easy if you take the day in increments and think about how you can reduce the amount of stress on your spine.

– Morning – Take your time as you get out of bed. After seven or eight hours of inactivity, your body is not ready for fast movements and you may end up straining your lower back. Take a few minutes to stretch, breathe deeply, get the circulation flowing, and warm up the muscles of the lumbar spine before climbing out of bed.

– Work – Anyone with lower back pain knows that sitting at a desk all day or standing behind a cash register can wreak havoc on an already painful condition. If you sit during the day, make sure your chair has proper lumbar support. If you stand, wear supportive shoes and try to maintain proper posture at all times.

– Lunch – Use your lunch break to stand, walk, stretch, or move around any way you can. Stiffness from immobility can exacerbate herniated disc pain, so grab any opportunity to work the muscles of your spine and get your circulation going.

– Leisure time – Stay as active as possible while being careful if you take part in any high-impact activities that could put undue strain on your joints and intervertebral discs. Swimming, walking, hiking, or doing core exercises on a therapeutic exercise ball are all great options for a low-impact workout.

– Bedtime – Sleep on a medium-firm mattress. A mattress that is too firm or too soft can force your spine into uncomfortable, strained positions. If you’re a side sleeper, put a pillow between your knees to help your spine maintain its natural “S” curve.

How Do I Know When It’s Time to Consider Surgery?

While most people with a herniated disc in the lower back will be able to manage their symptoms non-surgically, there are a handful of people who simply won’t achieve relief from their pain with conservative methods. For these individuals, surgery may become an option. Talk to your doctor about the different surgical options that are available to you and be sure to inquire about the risks and benefits of each. Don’t be afraid to get second, third, or even fourth opinions regarding surgery and, even if all other treatment methods have proven unsuccessful, you should never feel pressured into undergoing any type of procedure.

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for herniated discs and several other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/herniated_disc/

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Herniated disc