A herniated disc, also knows as a slipped or ruptured disc, can cause pain, numbness or weakness in your arms and legs, yet some people with herniated discs experience absolutely no symptoms at all. Regardless of where the disc ruptured, there are several options available for rehabilitating your spine. Conservative treatment, like exercise, can help, as well as pain medication, physical therapy and, in some cases, surgery.
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Your spine is made of bones and discs. Discs are like soft cushions placed between your bones, or vertebrae. When a disc bulges, or sticks out, it presses on the nerves around your backbone and is considered a herniated disc. This can occur for many reasons, age being a simple cause since your discs become less cushiony as you get older, yet it can also happen due to an injury or wear and tear on the spine over time.
Medication
Depending on the severity of your herniated disc, your doctor may prescribe pain medication for one to two days or even administer a shot in your backbone to alleviate pain. You may need more than one shot and even bed rest for a few days before you can be active again. Over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen may reduce pain, but if that doesn't help, narcotics like codeine or Vicodin, nerve pain medications, muscle relaxers and cortisone injections should do the trick.
Physical Therapy
A herniated disc will more often than not require treatment from a physical therapist. The therapist will determine the severity of your back issue and prescribe treatment from there. Aside from exercises, the therapist may also recommend heating or icing, traction, ultrasounds, electrical stimulation or short-term bracing on the neck or lower back. As the pain diminishes, the therapist will likely prescribe a rehabilitation program focusing on core strength to protect against future injury.
Treatment and Exercise
According to MayoClinic.com, nine out of 10 people who suffer from a herniated disc can get relief from conservative treatment. Simply avoiding painful positions, following a planned exercise program that involves physical therapy and independent exercise, and taking pain medications might be all you need to feel better in a month or two. Eventually, the protruding disc will shrink over time. Maintaining a healthy weight will avoid unnecessary spinal stress as well as limiting high-impact activities like jump roping and running. Outside of physical therapy, you should perform low-impact aerobic activity to lessen the amount of painful episodes you experience. Water therapy, continuous walking and riding the stationary bike for 20 to 30 minutes a few times per week will help keep your body mobile and make daily activities less painful. If medication, physical therapy and exercise do not solve the issue, surgery may be necessary.
