A herniated disc diagnosis can come with a lot of uncertainty. Like many patients in similar situations, you may be wondering: How much longer will I have to deal with this pain? Will I need surgery? What happens if I never find relief? Before you panic, stop and take a deep breath. Now, let this fact sink in: Most patients who are diagnosed with a herniated disc will find relief from nonsurgical treatments in a matter of weeks or months.

Common Nonsurgical Treatments

You may be wondering what types of nonsurgical treatments can be used to abate the pain and discomfort associated with a herniated disc. There is actually a wide assortment of conservative (nonsurgical) treatments available that your physician may recommend individually or as part of a multi-treatment regimen. Some of the most common conservative treatments include:

Medication – Barring any drug allergies or underlying medical conditions (especially those that affect the cardiovascular or gastrointestinal systems), you will likely be advised to take over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medications block the body’s production of certain inflammation-inducing enzymes, which could help to relieve some of the pressure that your herniated disc is placing on your spinal cord, nerve, or nerve root. Should over-the-counter medication prove ineffective, your physician may prescribe narcotic pain relievers and/or muscle relaxants.

Cryotherapy and thermotherapy – More commonly referred to as ice and heat therapy, cryotherapy and thermotherapy may be recommended as individual treatments or in conjunction with one another on an alternating basis. Applying ice to your neck or back can help numb your pain and provide relief from inflammation. Heat, on the other hand, can increase blood flow to the area, potentially speeding up the healing process. Thermotherapy can also help relieve muscle tension which could be contributing to your discomfort.

Physical therapy – Working with a physical therapist to slowly increase the strength of your neck and back muscles could provide your spine with much needed support that may, in turn, relieve the pressure being placed on the affected intervertebral disc. In addition to strength training, your physical therapy regimen may consist of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (or TENS, during which gentle electrical currents are used to stimulate nerves to help relieve pain), massage therapy, and/or any other treatments recommended by your physical therapist.

Lifestyle adjustments – Your physician may determine that certain aspects of your lifestyle have contributed to the development of a herniated disc, or are exacerbating the pain and discomfort you’re experiencing. For instance, being overweight can place a tremendous amount of strain on the neck and back. If your physician believes that your weight is a contributing factor to your condition, then you may be advised to follow a weight-loss plan. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, you may also benefit from becoming more physically active to increase muscle strength in your neck and back. You may also be advised to reverse other behaviors, such as using tobacco products or abusing alcohol.

When Conservative Treatments Fail to Provide Meaningful Relief

If you’ve received little to no relief after following a regimen of conservative treatments for several weeks or months, your physician may recommend surgical treatment. To make certain that you didn’t receive your herniated disc diagnosis in error, you may want to receive a second or third opinion before you consent to any type of surgical treatment. You may also want to ask if a minimally invasive procedure could be a viable alternative to open neck or back surgery. These procedures are performed on an outpatient basis through very small incisions, making rehabilitation and recovery much less arduous than in the case of open neck or back surgeries.

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 after a herniated disc diagnosis as well as after the diagnosis of 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 after a herniated disc diagnosis. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/herniated_disc/diagnosis/

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 after a herniated disc diagnosis as well as after the diagnosis of several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: herniated disc diagnosis