Disc Pain Treatment

Disc pain occurs when there is inflammation in one or more spinal vertebrae. The disc is cartilage that is located between vertebrae, cushioning them and preventing them from grinding against each other. Most back disc pain occurs in the lower back (the lumbar vertebrae), but it can also occur in the cervical or neck area. Causes of disc pain include tendinitis, various types of arthritis, osteoporosis (bone degeneration), gout and herniated or bulging discs. Treatment for disc pain usually includes rest, ice, heat, medications, therapy and various exercises.

Rest, Ice and Heat

• If you have disc pain, you will need to rest your back for a certain period of time. This will help prevent further aggravation of the affected area. During the first 48 hours after the onset of disc pain, it is best to ice the area, using compresses placed directly against the source of pain. Once the initial swelling has subsided, heat (for example, a heating pad) can be used to promote blood flow---and its associated healing properties---to the affected disc.

Medications

• Anti-inflammatory medications such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) can help reduce swelling and pain in your spinal disc. These medications are Cox-2 inhibitors that minimize the effects of Cox-2 enzymes and prostaglandins that cause inflammation and pain as a natural body response to irritated or eroded disc cartilage. Topical solutions such as Bengay may also be effective for treating disc pain. For more severe cases of disc pain, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids or a cortisone shot.

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Massage or spinal decompression (manipulation of the spine by hand or a machine) can help relieve pressure on your lumbar or cervical disc if it is herniated or bulging. These treatments are usually done by a chiropractor. The machines are designed to move the legs, back and neck to relieve pain and pressure on the spine. Prolotherapy is another relatively new technique for treating chronic pain. According to Prolotherapy.org, a resource for finding doctors who perform prolotherapy, this technique uses an injection to spur inflammation that ultimately results in new deposits of collagen, the substance that makes up tendons and ligaments. Collagen eventually tightens over time and strengthens the ligaments. This helps stabilize the vertebrae to alleviate disc pain.

Exercise

• Exercise will increase flexibility in your vertebrae and blood flow to the spine. If you have cervical disc pain, moving your arms backward and forward and squeezing your upper back can help relieve it. Also, shrugging or rolling your shoulders and turning or rolling your neck can stimulate blood flow, which delivers oxygen and nutrients for healing.

  Lower back exercises for lumbar pain relief can include pulling one or both legs toward your chest while you lie on the floor. Also, pressing your back against the floor with your knees pointed up helps strengthen the lower back muscles. It is important to strengthen the muscles near your disc pain because that will take more pressure off your spine. Strengthening adjacent muscles---particularly those in the abdomen and buttocks---will also better help stabilize your spine.