If you’re suffering from a herniated disc in the neck, your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications aimed at relieving the symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your neck, upper back, and upper extremities. It is extremely important that you only take the medications recommended by your doctor because supplementing with your own medications can cause dangerous drug interactions. Even if you only take mild, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, or oral herbal remedies, you should disclose all of these to your doctor. Also, if you suffer from other medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, or hypertension, talk to your doctor about complications that could arise with your new medications for the herniated disc in your neck.

Over-the-Counter & Prescription Options

Medications for a herniated disc in the neck can be obtained over the counter or with a doctor’s prescription. Any drug that is considered a painkiller is called an analgesic, and under this umbrella are several other drug classifications, including:

– Acetaminophen – this type of drug is available over the counter. It is believed to relieve pain and fever by interfering with the path of pain signals being sent from the nerves to the brain. Acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory properties. The most common brand of acetaminophen is Tylenol, though a wide assortment of generic varieties are available.

– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – these drugs have pain- and fever-reducing properties, but they are primarily used for their ability to reduce inflammation and swelling. The designation “non-steroidal” is used to differentiate them from narcotic anti-inflammatories. The majority of NSAIDs are available over the counter; the most common forms include aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn).

– Opioids – opioids are narcotic medications that require a prescription from a doctor in the United States, as they can be extremely addictive. They are commonly used to relieve pain from chronic rheumatoid arthritis, terminal conditions, and post-operative discomfort, though they may be prescribed for other severe forms of pain. Examples include Oxycontin (oxycodone), Darvocet, Percocet, and Vicodin.

Additional Conservative Treatments

In addition to pain medications, there are a variety of other conservative (non-operative) treatments that are available to treat the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck or back. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of physical therapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy, behavior modification, gentle stretching, low-impact exercise, or epidural steroid injections. Some holistic therapies may also be helpful, such as acupuncture, acupressure, yoga, massage, and chiropractic manipulation. A general rule that should be applied to any treatment regimen is to always keep your doctor informed of your progress, and never attempt any type of treatment, however mild, without his or her approval. Non-operative treatments will offer sufficient pain relief for the majority of patients who suffer from a degenerative spine condition like a herniated disc in the neck. However, a small percentage of patients may eventually require more targeted treatment in the form of surgery as a last-resort option. Before consenting to surgery, get second or third opinions and first be sure that you’ve tried all of the conservative options that are available to you.

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 the treatment of herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Herniated disc