A herniated disk can be painful. You and your doctor may want to try conservative measures first to try to relieve your symptoms. However, if this fails, you may need to consider other options depending on the severity and location of your herniation and what activities you are wanting to return to.
Step 1
Rest so the area can heal. According to the Cedars-Sinai Health System, 90 percent of patients who have a herniated disc will improve without surgery. This process begins by reducing your activity level until the area heals and the inflammation decreases. Ceders claims that "In some cases, herniated discs heal on their own by a process called resorption. During resorption, the body absorbs parts (fragments or tissue) from a herniated disc that has ruptured." You may need to use heat, ice, take medication or have an epidural steroid injection to control your symptoms while you are getting better. You will then need to slowly reintroduce movement and activities to tolerance.
Step 2
Try physical therapy. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons physical therapy can often be helpful. A physical therapist can use pelvic traction, gentle massage, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation to relieve your symptoms and take pressure off of your low back and the herniated disk. Your therapist can also teach you how to stretch to help relax the muscles of the low back and improve your flexibility.
Step 3
Exercise to strengthen your muscles and avoid reinjuring your low back. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons suggests that you will need to incorporate exercise into your day to help strengthen the muscles of the low back and abdominal muscles. You will need to perform exercises that help to correct your posture and stabilize your back as you move. The Mayo Clinic states that "Exercise and physical therapy are an important part of your treatment program and should become part of your permanent routine at home." Since each person is different, your doctor or therapist will need to determine what exercise are best for your specific situation.
Step 4
Have surgery to remove the affected disk. If your herniated disk is causing severe pain or interfering with normal functioning, then you may need to have surgery. The Mayo Clinic states that only about one in ten people with herniated disks need surgery. Options include artificial disc surgery, which removes the affected disk and replaces it with a manufactured disc, or a discectomy, which only removes the portion of the disk that is protruding. Your doctor may also suggest a laminectomy or laminotomy. Both of these surgeries remove the part of your vertebra that is putting pressure on your nerve roots. In severe cases your surgeon may need to remove the entire disk and fuse the vertebra above and below the removed disk in a procedure called spinal fusion surgery.
Tips and Warnings
- Talk to your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of pain or stiffness in your low back. The longer you go without treatment the worse your condition may become. You will need to make using good body mechanics and exercise a part of your life.
- Never ignore symptoms of sever pain, numbness, tingling or loss of function in your back, arms or legs as this signals a serious medical problem that may just become worse.
