At-home herniated disc treatment is an easy, convenient way to relieve your pain and promote the healing process, but keep in mind that any form of treatment should only be attempted after obtaining a doctor’s approval. While a herniated disc can cause uncomfortable feelings of pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in the back, neck, and/or extremities, the good news is that most herniated discs will heal themselves over a period of months or weeks and will likely not require surgical treatment.

Some examples of herniated disc treatments that you can perform at home include hot/cold compresses, over-the-counter pain medication, gentle stretching, posture modification, rest, and low-impact exercise.

Treatments Requiring Supervision

If at-home treatments do not help you to find relief from your herniated disc symptoms, or you would like to integrate supervised treatments into your at-home regimen, you might pursue one or more of the following:

– Physical therapy
– Prescription medication
– Chiropractic work
– Ultrasound therapy
– Epidural corticosteroid injections

When Is It Time to Consider Herniated Disc Treatment in the Form of Surgery?

If several weeks or months of conservative herniated disc treatment have not helped your symptoms to abate, your doctor may suggest that you consider spine surgery. Keep in mind that there are a variety of procedures available to you and it’s in your best interest to learn about each type of surgery before making a decision. Discuss open spine operations and endoscopic procedures with your spine specialist, as both types of surgeries differ in terms of invasiveness, risks, and projected recovery period.

In Conclusion

If you have been experiencing back or neck pain for more than a few days, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Spinal problems are never to be taken lightly and should be examined by a doctor. While most back and neck pain is caused by a minor muscular problem (such as muscle fatigue or a pulled muscle), there could be a more serious spinal issue at play such as a herniated disc, infection, or tumor. Only a doctor can make the determination regarding what your diagnosis is. Furthermore, any treatment you choose should be cleared by your physician, since unsupervised or unapproved treatments could make your condition worse.

When you see your doctor for a diagnosis of your neck or back pain, he or she will ask a series of questions about your condition. For example, your doctor will probably ask what your pain feels like, where it is located, and what activities make your pain better or worse. This portion of the examination is called a medical history. After the medical history, your doctor will perform a physical exam. The physical exam will test your muscle strength, flexibility, and nerve function. Using information from the medical history and the physical exam, your doctor should be able to determine if your symptoms are being caused by a herniated disc or another condition.

Your doctor may also order an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. These imaging tests will help the doctor confirm the diagnosis that’s already been made. For instance, while your doctor probably won’t be able to see a herniated disc in an X-ray, the X-ray will help the doctor rule out another condition such as a fractured vertebrae or tumor. A CT scan or MRI will provide your doctor with much more clear images than an X-ray. With these sharper images, the doctor should be able to confirm the herniated disc diagnosis and provide you with a treatment plan that targets the specific location and severity of your 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 herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: Herniated disc