1. Relieve the Pain
In most cases, a prescription painkiller is the first treatment for a ruptured disk. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most commonly prescribed for ruptured disks, since they relieve pain and inflammation so that healing progresses unabated. If the pain is severe or lasts more than two weeks, your doctor may prescribe narcotics or steroid medication. Rest is also important. Constant movement can cause additional nerve irritation in the area of the injury. Resting relieves the stress and pressure from the ruptured disk, diminishing the swelling and inflammation and stabilizing the injured area.
2. Reap the Benefits of Bodywork
Several types of manual bodywork can relieve the pain of a ruptured disk. Chiropractic treatment can realign the spine, as long as it's done gently. Traction can stretch and open the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the affected nerves. Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around your spine, providing more support and stability to the affected area. Massage relaxes muscles that have been tightened by pain and inflammation, and improves blood flow to the ruptured disk, which encourages healing. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may use one or more bodywork therapies during your recovery.
3. Brave the Knife
When all other healing methods fail, or the pain is extraordinarily severe or if the ruptured disk presses on a nerve to the extent that paralysis is a possibility, the doctor may recommend surgery. Your surgeon will enter the affected area through the front or back of your body, and remove the disk material that has ruptured outward. This creates an opening in the spine that's usually fused in place. Surgical removal of the ruptured disk material usually relieves pain and restores your spine's full functionality.
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