Dealing With A Herniated Disc: Everything You Should Know
Our 9 to 5 jobs have left us squirming in the office chair, staring at the screen, and cribbing in pain. Neck and back pain have become a part of the corporate culture.
Usually, we avoid back pain, but sometimes, it can lead to a herniated disc problem.
What is a herniated disc?
Also known as the slipped disc, a herniated disc occurs when the jellylike material inside the disc starts pushing out through the cracks in the outer layer. It sometimes goes undetected until major symptoms show up. It presses the spine, makes you weaker, and struggling with severe pain.
In some cases, a herniated disc can hinder an individual’s daily life.
A herniated disc can occur due to many reasons, like bad posture, injury, pressure on the spine, overweight, weaker muscles, etc.
There are various treatment methods of a herniated disc.
Rest
Slow down your physical activities for some time. Don’t indulge yourself in strenuous workout sessions. But do not opt for complete bed rest.
Rest can help your back heal properly and relieve the swelling.
It’s important that you continually keep your joints and muscles in motion so that they don’t become tight. If your back hurts more than usual, do mild exercises that involve lifting your leg up. Also, placing a pillow below your knee can help a lot.
While you are resting, you can also try hot or cold therapy.
Visit A Chiropractor
Several people opt for alternative therapy options that include spinal manipulation and are directed towards the overall health of the body. One such technique is chiropractic care.
A herniated disc chiropractor uses manual adjustment techniques to soothe the pain and improve the blood circulation in the body.
They diagnose and eliminate the misalignment that causes pain and slipped discs. Depending on the diagnosis, they suggest exercises and diet improvements, as altering lifestyle changes.
However, not all patients with a slipped disc can be treated with chiropractic care. That’s why it is essential to consult with a reliable Frederick, MD, chiropractor, and then go forward with the treatment options.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is yet another alternative therapy with minimum side effects. It’s a traditional Chinese treatment method that involves the insertion of thin needles at several pain points in the body.
This helps with the release of feel-good hormones, also known as natural pain killers, endorphins.
Medication
Some medicines like ibuprofen and naproxen help relieve swelling and reduce pain in patients diagnosed with a slipped disc. And if these mild painkillers are not effective, doctors may suggest narcotics and strong anti-inflammatory drugs.
However, it is never advised to start medication on your own. Since these drugs display side effects when taken for long, it’s highly crucial you speak with a qualified doctor before and during the treatment.
Injections
If medication, rest, and spinal manipulations don’t work, then your doctor may prescribe you steroid injections.
These injections reduce the inflammation and pain associated with nerve root compression. However, you must not rely on injections alone to ease the pain.
Physical therapy and exercising, along with injections, can deliver effective results. But, in case of a severe spinal injury, it’s always best to follow a treatment option as suggested by a professional.
Surgery
Most patients with a herniated disc don’t require surgery. The above-mentioned methods improve the symptoms in the first few weeks. But, if there is no improvement, the doctor might recommend surgery options.
Common surgeries for herniated disk are discectomy, Lumbar laminotomy, and Artificial disk surgery.
Final Words
In most cases, herniated discs get better on their own. But, they may happen again. Therefore, you should take some preventive measures.
Something as simple as improving the posture, regular exercising, and avoiding heavy lifting can work wonders.
So, be careful and stay safe!
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