Treatment for Herniated Disk Conditions

A herniated disc can be extremely painful if not treated correctly. Also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, a herniated disc occurs when the fibro-cartilage between the spinal vertebrae ruptures. Treatment for this condition varies depending on how severe the pain is and how long the pain has been present.

Medications

• One of the first treatment options for a herniated disc is the use of medication. For less severe ruptures, over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may counteract the pain long enough for the rupture to heal. For more severe ruptures where pain has become debilitating, prescription strength pain medicines may be prescribed by your doctor. Injections of corticosteroids may also be used to treat the pain.

Therapies

• Physical therapy techniques may also be used as treatment for a herniated disc. Hydrotherapy is a common therapy technique for this condition and involves the use of stretches and exercises done in a pool. This can help relieve the pain and heal the rupture without placing too much strain on the injury. Hot and cold therapy are also common treatment options for a herniated disc. Hot therapy involves the use of heat packs to increase circulation to the injured area and relax the muscles around the injury. Cold therapy involves the use of cold packs to help reduce any swelling of the muscles surrounding the disc.

Stabilization

• Stabilization equipment may also be used to help treat a herniated disc. This treatment usually involves the wearing of a back brace. A back brace can help reduce the amount of tension on the spine and can also help reduce the pressure on the ruptured disc. Two of the most common back braces for this condition are the Vertebrace and Vulkan Back Brace.

Exercises

• As the severe acute pain begins to subside, your doctor may also recommend physical therapy exercises to help decrease the back pain, as well as help strengthen the muscles around the rupture to prevent future injury. Exercises and stretches such as lumbar stabilization routines, aerobics and water activities (such as swimming) are some of the most recommended treatments for this condition. The use of a physical therapist during this process will help insure that you are working the right muscles, as well as can help guarantee that you will not be doing any activities that may further aggravate the disc.

Surgery

• When all non-surgical options are not enough to fix the herniated disc, surgery may be recommended. Two of the most common forms of surgical intervention for this condition are non-invasive injections of chymopapain and open decompression surgery. Chymopapain is an enzyme that when injected into the protruding disc can help dissolve the protrusion. As the issue dissolves, the pressure on the nerves surrounding the herniated disc is relieved. Open decompression involves a diskectomy or microdiskectomy. Both procedures involve removing a part of the disc through a small incision on the back. The removal of the portion helps relieve the pressure on the surrounding nerves.