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Herniated Disk Pain Relief

A herniated disk, also known as a slipped or ruptured disk, is a painful back injury that can limit your everyday tasks and cause intense pain. Treatment will depend on your lifestyle, intensity of pain and the specific cause of the herniated disk. While surgery is an option, there are various ways to relieve pain without it.

  1. Medication

    • Your doctor may prescribe medicine for use until inflammation and pain subsides. While over-the-counter medication like Tylenol can help ease the pain, your doctor may also suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. However, heavy use of these drugs may increase risk of a heart attack or stroke. Other options include naturopathic medicines like lyrica, muscle relaxants or low doses of antidepressants. If pain is severe, your doctor may give you corticosteroids or narcotics like codeine. Though effective, both of these types of drugs have numerous unwanted side effects.

    Limited Use

    • Another way to ease pain from a herniated disk is limiting your activity. For example, resting on a bed with a firm mattress for a few days or laying on your back on the floor with your legs elevated may help. It is important to not totally confine yourself to bed since you need to maintain your muscle tone. Bending and lifting can aggravate your back. Wearing a back brace or corset may help relieve pain as well. Since the brace reduces spinal motion, it takes stress off the affected disk and keeps the inflamed tissues warm. It is not recommended to wear a brace for long periods since it can weaken muscles in your back and abdomen.

    Therapies

    • Using hot and cold therapy can help take away pain. Placing a cold pack on your back for 15 minutes a few times each day can cut down pain. Also, taking a warm bath can be soothing. Before applying heat, it is important to speak with your doctor to avoid aggravating the site. Another option is hydrotherapy, where you sit in a whirlpool filled with water and do basic exercises. This type of therapy relaxes muscles and is recommended in the first few days following an injury.

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