Alternative Treatments for Herniated Disc

A herniated disc occurs when the inner portion of the disk pushes into the spinal canal through a rupture in the outer protective layer of the disk. A herniated disk can result in a great deal of pain or weakness that can radiate from the back to the legs and arms. Conventional treatments include physical therapy, pain medication and surgery, though many patients have experienced considerable relief from alternative treatment methods.

Chiropractic

• Chiropractic treatment is one of the most popular alternative treatment methods for back pain, including pain caused by a herniated disk. Chiropractic treatment usually involves manual manipulation of the spine to achieve correct positioning of the vertebrae and improve spinal movement. Many doctors do not recommend chiropractic care for herniated disk patients because they feel it has few benefits when compared to possible risks, including spinal cord injury and worsening of joint problems.

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture does not attempt to treat the herniated disk itself, but instead focuses on pain relief. Acupuncture involves several thin needles inserted into the skin at various pressure points. Many back pain patients have experienced a great deal of relief from acupuncture treatments, but several treatments are often necessary to maintain the desired results. How acupuncture actually works is unknown, though most medical experts believe it is due to the release of endorphins, the blockage of pain sensations in the central nervous system, alteration of brain chemistry or a combination of these elements.

Acupressure

• Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that its goal is pain relief, not treatment of the herniated disk. Acupressure uses the same pressure point techniques as acupuncture, but instead of needle insertion acupressure practitioners use their hands, fingers and elbows to apply pressure to certain areas. Many people who experienced initial pain relief from acupuncture but found the effects to subside over time may find acupressure to be a suitable follow-up treatment. Some acupressure points can cause miscarriage and spikes in blood pressure, so pregnant women and people with high blood pressure should not undergo this treatment.

Massage Therapy

• Massage therapy provides pain relief and muscle relaxation to many herniated disk sufferers. According to the Mayo Clinic, there are over 100 different massage techniques, ranging from soft, light strokes to deep pressure massages. Pain relief via massage therapy is often short-term, but many herniated disk patients find it extremely helpful, especially in the first few weeks following the injury. Massage therapy is generally low-risk, but those with back arthritis, deep vein thrombosis, skin infections or osteoporosis should not receive massage therapy.

Knowledge Therapy

• Knowledge therapy is a completely different form of alternative treatment for herniated disk and other pain patients. Many times, an individual's pain may be psychosomatic, meaning that the person's mind and/or emotional state are contributing to the pain. Dr. John Sarno of the Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at the New York University Medical Center found that psychosomatic symptoms actually encouraged physical pain through oxygen deprivation of the body's cells. Knowledge therapy teaches patients to be aware of their emotional and mental issues that may be causing or contributing to their pain. They also learn how to deal with those issues to prevent the body from displaying physical symptoms that correspond with emotional or mental ones.