The spine is comprised of bones, called vertebrae, and soft, spongy discs that separate the vertebrae. These discs provide shock absorption and assist in movement of the spine. When the tough fibrous outer layer of the disc, called the annulus, cracks and dries out, it can allow a portion of the jellylike center--the nucleus--to push out of its normal confines. This herniated disc can put pressure on nearby spinal nerves and cause pain and neurological symptoms. Several different surgical procedures can attempt to remove the pressure on nerves and thereby decrease symptoms, but according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, surgery is rarely required and more than 90% of persons with a ruptured disc recover with conservative treatment.
Ice/Heat
When a disc cracks and herniates, it causes an inflammatory reaction. Inflammation can irritate the delicate spinal nerve roots. The use of an ice pack or ice massage can be very helpful in reducing pain and inflammation, according to the Mayo Clinic. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply over the affected area for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours. In the first one to three days after symptoms begin, heat should be avoided as it will exacerbate the condition. After that time period, a heat pack can help relax muscles and continue to assist in relief.
Medication
Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers may be recommended by a doctor. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are particularly useful because they have both pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Often, muscle spasms accompany a herniated disc and can aggravate the other symptoms. A doctor may prescribe muscle relaxers to try and break the muscle spasm. According to the Mayfield Clinic, if pain is severe, steroid medication can be injected directly into the epidural space to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist may employ the use of electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, assisted stretching and exercise in an effort to decrease symptoms and improve muscle function. In many cases, the underlying cause of a herniated disc has to do with muscular imbalance, which causes increased stress on the spine. The therapist will instruct the patient on proper stretches and exercises required to balance and strengthen the low back.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat many disorders that affect the back and are concerned primarily with proper function of the spine and surrounding soft tissues. A herniated disc may be caused or aggravated by poor alignment or motion in the spine, and a chiropractor may use spinal manipulation or adjustments to restore proper function. Chiropractors also employ many of the same traditional techniques as physical therapists and will instruct a patient in stretching and exercise to try and rehabilitate the muscles of the affected area. According to Spine Health, chiropractic manipulation is one of the most common conservative treatments for lumbar herniated disc.
