If you’ve recently received a herniated disc diagnosis, you may be wondering what comes next. The course of treatment for a herniated disc will vary from patient to patient, depending on his or her overall level of health, the severity of his or her symptoms, and the cause of the herniated disc, as well as other factors. Working closely with your primary care physician or spine specialist is the only way to know the exact course of action that will prove most beneficial for you. However, there are some basic treatment methods that are commonly used to abate the symptoms of a herniated disc. Learning about these treatments may help you to better work with your doctor in finding your optimal treatment regimen.

Herniated Discs Explained

Intervertebral discs are positioned between each of the articulating vertebrae in the neck and back. These saucer-shaped pads are responsible for absorbing the impact that is placed on the spine when an individual moves his or her neck or back and are also responsible for supporting the weight of the body. These tasks can eventually take their toll, leading to the gradual deterioration of the discs. More specifically, the outer wall of a disc (the annulus fibrosus) can weaken and become brittle, and the inner content of a disc (the nucleus pulposus) can dehydrate and become less elastic. These degenerative changes can eventually lead to the development of a herniated disc, which occurs when the annulus fibrosus ruptures and allows the nucleus pulposus to seep out. In the event that the expelled nucleus pulposus enters the spinal column, it can press against nearby spinal nerve roots or even the spinal cord itself. It is the interference with the nervous system that usually causes the symptoms that are associated with the condition.

The Symptoms of a Herniated Disc

Before you received your herniated disc diagnosis, you were likely experiencing certain symptoms that led you to consult a physician in the first place. Herniated discs – and other spinal conditions, for that matter – are interesting in that they can cause symptoms to appear in seemingly unrelated areas of the body. As a result, it’s quite common for patients to spend days, if not weeks trying to quell arm or leg pain.

Chances are, your herniated disc has caused you to experience some degree of radiculopathy, or the transfer of pain, numbness, tingling, and/or muscle weakness along the length of a nerve to places like the arms or the legs. Many individuals – especially those who fail to consult a physician – live with discomfort in the extremities that is actually stemming directly from a herniated disc. A diagnosis of this spinal condition is sometimes difficult to make, but with a thorough diagnostics process, a physician should be able to uncover the root cause of a patient’s symptoms.

The Diagnostic Process

Before your physician gave you a herniated disc diagnosis, he or she may have performed a number of tests to determine the source of your symptoms. Some of the common techniques used to identify a herniated disc include:

-Question and answer session

-Thorough medical history review

-Physical examination

-Neurological examination

-Diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan

While these tests are used to confirm the existence of a herniated disc, they are also used to rule out other, similar spinal conditions. Spondylolisthesis, bulging discs, spinal arthritis, and other degenerative spinal conditions can all lead to the compression of a spinal nerve root, thus causing near-identical symptoms as a herniated disc.

Treating a Herniated Disc

As previously discussed, the exact treatment regimen that follows a herniated disc diagnosis will vary from patient to patient. To prevent further injury to the spine and to ensure your symptoms do not worsen, you should be sure to consult your physician before utilizing any treatment method.

Most treatment regimens will entail the use of medication. There are a wide range of medications that can be used to mitigate the symptoms of a herniated disc, including:

-Over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs can relieve pain and reduce inflammation by blocking the body’s production of the COX-1 and/or COX-2 enzymes. This type of medication should not be used by those who suffer from certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal conditions.

-Over-the-counter analgesics – Acetaminophen and other analgesics are primarily used to relieve pain. This type of medication is known to produce fewer side-effects than NSAIDs, but it should be noted that the drug is not recommended for long-term use due to risk of liver damage.

-Prescription medications – Narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine and oxycodone) may be prescribed for those whose symptoms do not respond to over-the-counter medications. Some patients may also be prescribed muscle relaxants to prevent the transmission of signals from the brain to the muscles, or to ease muscle spasms, depending on which type of muscle relaxant is prescribed.

Those who have received a herniated disc diagnosis may also benefit from working with a physical therapist. In addition to recommending strength training exercises, a physical therapist can also employ other techniques for relieving chronic neck or back pain, including:

-Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

-Cryotherapy (cold therapy)

-Thermotherapy (heat therapy)

-Posture modification exercises

-Massage therapy

-And others

In addition, your physician may recommend that you make certain lifestyle changes. A healthier lifestyle can not only help to relieve the symptoms associated with a herniated disc, but they can also ensure that other anatomical components of the spine are healthy. For obese patients, losing weight can prove incredibly beneficial. Shedding excess pounds reduces the strain that is being placed on the spine and can also help to relieve some of the pressure that is being placed on compressed spinal nerves. Becoming more active, reducing alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, and avoiding high-impact sports like football and gymnastics can also have a positive effect on spinal health.

Surgery for a Herniated Disc

An operation does not typically follow a herniated disc diagnosis, as most patients are able to relieve their symptoms through the use of conservative, nonsurgical treatments. However, for a small percentage of patients, symptoms may persist despite the patient’s best efforts to closely follow their doctor-recommended treatment plan, in which case surgery may be recommended.

If you are among the minority of herniated disc patients who requires surgical treatment, be sure to ask your physician about all of the options that are available to you. You may be a candidate for a minimally invasive procedure that will require a fraction of the recovery time that is needed following open spine surgery. This type of procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and many patients are back on their feet within hours. Some even report immediate relief following the procedure, while others will see full results within a matter of weeks.

To learn more about what will follow your herniated disc diagnosis, speak with your physician or spine specialist. He or she will be able to recommend the treatments that will provide you with optimal results while taking into account your unique needs.

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.

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/

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 Diagnosis