Options in Finding Herniated Disc Pain Relief

A herniated disc occurs when one of the discs located between the vertebrae bulges abnormally or ruptures altogether. In a healthy state, these discs act as a sort of shock absorber between the vertebrae in your back. When one becomes injured, the result can be acute or chronic pain due to the compression of the disc on one or more of the nerves in the back. The good news is that there are a number of options today to bring a patient herniated disc pain relief. Sometimes the first course of action that a doctor will recommend is a day or two of bed rest. This can ease the most severe pain, and give your spine a chance to begin the healing process. However, lying on your back for more than a day or two can actually be counterproductive to your recovery; after that you must find alternative means to herniated disc pain relief.

Medication

One of the most common ways to bring pain relief for a herniated disc is through medications. Often these can be OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Other times, your doctor will prescribe a medication like an antidepressant, muscle relaxants or corticosteroids. These prescriptions are generally reserved for the most severe cases, when herniated disc pain relief is the most difficult to achieve. Fortunately, there are a number of options in pain relief medications, so you and your doctor stand a very good chance of finding a medicine that will offer some relief for your pain.
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Other Types of Non-Surgical Treatment

There are other methods of bring herniated disc pain relief. One is through the use of hot and cold therapy, that is usually done with ice and heat packs. Ice packs are generally recommended as the initial means of herniated disc pain relief, and can be used for fifteen minutes at a time, as often as needed. Heat is also an effective means of herniated disc pain relief, but it should not be used in the first 48 hours since heat can actually increase inflammation and swelling when applied during this period. Once you can safely apply heat, you can alternate between the two methods or choose the one that brings the most relief to you.
Other non-surgical methods of herniated disc pain relief include bracing the affected area for a short time, and using electrical stimulation in conjunction with other treatments to bring relief. Hydrotherapy involves sitting in a whirlpool bath or performing exercises while in the water, and can relax the muscles as well as provide relief from the pain. If these non-surgical methods are not effective in bringing herniated disc pain relief, there are surgical options that you can discuss with your doctor as well.

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