Understanding Your Treatment Options for Herniated Disc Pain

Herniated discs are a relatively common cause of pain in the lower back and the neck, the two most flexible parts of your spine. In fact, every year, as many as 2% of Americans suffer from these painful disc problems that tend to happen most often between the ages of 20-40.

At Integrated Spine and Pain Care, Mikael Sarij, MD, and his team offer patient-centered treatment for herniated disc problems at their offices in the Farmingdale and Deer Park communities in Long Island, New York. If you’re suffering from a herniated disc, this post offers a quick review of treatments that can help you feel better.

Quick facts about herniated discs

Discs are spongy structures located between each pair of spine bones (vertebrae). Composed of a tough outer shell and a gel-like interior, discs serve as your spine’s shock absorbers, and they also help your spine bend and flex.

Sometimes called a ruptured disc, a herniated disc happens when a disc tears and some of that gel from the inside of the disc leaks out, irritating nerves as they leave your spine and travel to other parts of your body. As a result, a herniated disc can cause painful symptoms around your spine and anywhere along the path of the affected nerve.

The symptoms associated with herniated discs can vary depending on whether the disc is in your lower back or your neck. Some of the most common symptoms of herniated discs include:

• Back or neck pain
• Tingling or numbness in your leg or arm
• Radiating pain or electricity-like shocks in your arm or leg
• Muscle weakness in the affected limb
• Problems with coordination in your arm or leg

In severe cases, a herniated disc affects the nerves that control your bladder or bowels, resulting in incontinence.

Herniated discs often develop over time as a result of wear and tear on your spine. They also tend to happen more often among men and women who:

• Lead sedentary lifestyles
• Are overweight
• Have jobs that require a lot of bending and lifting

Pregnancy and strenuous physical activity can also trigger a herniated disc.

Herniated disc treatment options

Mild herniated discs often clear up on their own with a few days of TLC. If your symptoms are mild, you can try:

• Taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)
• Using a heating pad
• Using pillows to prop your knees when sleeping
• Gentle stretches for your neck or lower back

If your symptoms persist after a few days or get worse at any time, you should schedule an evaluation with our team.

Before recommending any course of care, we’ll perform a thorough exam, review your symptoms and lifestyle factors that could be contributing to them, and possibly order diagnostic imaging for further evaluation.

Based on our findings, we usually begin with conservative treatment options, like:

• Medicine to relieve inflammation and pain
• Medicine to relieve muscle spasms
• Physical therapy
• At-home exercises
• Activity modification

Rarely, if your problem is more serious, we may recommend surgery to relieve pressure on the affected nerves.

Don’t ignore a herniated disc

Herniated discs may be common, but without the right treatment, they can still be quite serious. Ignoring a disc problem could result in permanent nerve damage, mobility issues, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

To learn more about herniated disc treatment at our practice, book an appointment online or over the phone at Integrated Spine and Pain Care today.