Vertebrae are bones that comprise the spine. Small oval pads of cartilage, or disks, cushion these bones and and have two layers--the annulus, a tough outer layer, and the nucleus, a soft inner layer. When a small portion of the nucleus pushes out through the annulus into the spinal canal, a herniated disk is the result, according to MayoClinic.com. This irritates the nerve in the spine, resulting in pain and numbness in your back that shoots down your leg. In most cases, conservative treatments help resolve this problem. In others, surgery may be necessary.
Step 1
Change your normal activities. Activities such as bending, reaching, lifting and sitting for long periods of time can make a herniated disc worse and slow your recovery time. While some physical activity is necessary to prevent muscle stiffness and maintain fitness, it is necessary to reduce your workload and perform lighter duties until your back regains its strength, according to MayoClinic.com. This happens gradually, and your doctor will tell you when it is safe to resume your normal functions.
Step 2
Begin physical therapy. While eliminating certain activities from your everyday routine, your doctor may recommend physical therapy sessions to provide you with immediate pain relief. It also helps condition your body to prevent further injury, according to SpineUniverse. Initial treatments typically include deep tissue massage to relieve muscle spasms, along with hot and cold therapy to reduce inflammation and increase blood circulation. This increases healing at the site.
Step 3
Take pain medication. You can take pain medications while undergoing the pain-relieving techniques in physical therapy. If your pain is mild to moderate, your doctor usually suggests over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
If your pain is more severe, the doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to reduce or prevent muscle spasms. If these medications do not prove effective, your doctor may prescribe a narcotic such as codeine. Narcotics are much stronger, but they are also addictive. For this reason, doctors usually prescribe them for a short period of time.
Step 4
Talk to the doctor about surgery. Surgery for a herniated disc is rare, according to MayoClinic.com. Only 10 percent of patients with herniated discs require surgery, and this is only if conservative treatments fail to work after six weeks. Other reasons include inability to stand or walk or a disc fragment lodges in the spinal canal and presses on a nerve. Before having surgery, be certain no other options exist and ask about all advantages and disadvantages.
