There are things worse in life, but those living with a herniated disc will be hard pressed to think of them. A herniated disc (also called ruptured disc or slipped disc) is a very painful condition that affects every aspect of your life. Herniated disc pain affects everyone differently, but if you have symptoms for more than a week, you should see your doctor as soon as possible. Some people do get better without medical treatment, but most do not.
Symptoms And Causes
There are two main causes of such incredible pain your vertebrae. The first is a side effect of aging. The spine is not as flexible as before, and the spongy discs in between your vertebrae get drier and cannot absorb normal jolts and bumps. Bones and nerves wind up rubbing against each other. The second cause is from injury anywhere along your spine which can dry up your cushioning discs.
You know you might have a herniated disc if you experience:
1. Numbness in one leg beginning in the buttock
2. Numbness in both legs along with loss of control of bladder or bowels (See a doctor immediately!)
3. Bad pain anywhere in the spine from the neck down when you move
4. Sudden weakness in a part of your body, such as a limb
5. Pain and numbness from the buttock and lower back down one leg, known as sciatica herniated disc.
6. One or more of these symptoms plus a headache on one side of your face, known as a herniated disc migraine
You can have a herniated disc and not have herniated disc pain. However, you will have numbness or a problem coordinating your body. You need to see your doctor as soon as possible in these cases.
Treatment
About 90% of patients don’t need herniated disc surgery for back pain, according to Dean Moyer, author of “Rebuild Your Back” (2002). Surgery is needed in people who canot walk normally, if considitions do not improve or worsen after six weeks of treatment. The herniated disk is usually removed and replaced with metal implants. Another option is to fuse together the disks above and below the damaged one.
Some people recover without surgery in one to six months. With prompt and persistent herniated disc treatment – and following your doctor’s advice — you can often manage your pain. Some things you can do rather than suffer include:
1. Do light exercises only to stay flexible (but if it hurts too much, rest). Do any exercises prescribed by your doctor or your physical therapist.
2. Avoid complete bed rest for more than a day, as this will make you feel weaker than before
3. Avoid doing any positions or movements that will definitely hurt your back, such as lifting a box with the legs straight and twisting the torso to place the box on a counter.
4. Avoid wearing high heeled shoes.
5. Avoid sleeping on the stomach.
6. Use a cold compress three times a day for pain relief. Be sure to put a towel or cloth in between your skin and the cold compress or you could get a cold burn
7. Use a hot pack if the cold doesn’t seem to be helping
8. Take over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen/paracetomol
9. Use very gentle massage on the back or a massage blanket for a chair.
10. Shifting weight to one side of the body or holding the small of the back with both hands can bring temporary relief
Most likely, you will be prescribed medications from your doctor to minimize your herniated disc pain. These include:
1. Opioids (such as codeine or brand name Percodan)
2. Muscle relaxants (including Valium and diazepam)
3. Corticosteroids
4. Marijuana, but only in those areas where medical marijuana is legal
5. Epidural steroid injections, especially if the disc is causing sciatica (these only last a few weeks at a time)
If you experience herniated disc migraine, then you may get medications that focus on migraine pain, as long as they do not counteract with your other medications.
References
Mayo Clinic. “Herniated Disk.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herniated-disk/DS00893
The Back Pain Blog. “Herniated Disks Don’t Require Surgery.” Dean Moyer. July 10, 2006. http://www.rebuildyourback.com/herniated-disc/no-surgery.php
Family Doctor.org. “Herniated Disk: What is it and What You Can Do.” September, 2010. http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/brain/disorders/341.html
Mayfield Clinic. “Epidural Steroid Injections.” November, 2009. http://www.mayfieldclinic.com/PE-ESI.htm
Reference:
- www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000442.htm
- www.migraineconnect.com/health-center/documents/2608-chemonucleolysis-for-herniated-d
- www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/slippeddisc.htm
