3 Ways to Alleviate Herniated Disc Pain
A herniated disk is a problem with one of the disks between the vertebrae that form your spine. This condition can irritate nerves, resulting in pain, weakness or numbness in the leg or arm. However, some people with a herniated disk do not present symptoms at all.
When a herniated disc does cause discomfort and pain, here are four tips that can lead to relief. Please be sure to speak with Dr. Sharma before proceeding with any of these, or other, treatments.
1. Epidural Steroid Injection
An epidural steroid injection can sooth pain immediately, but it is only for candidates who qualify for the treatment. These injections deliver medicine directly to the nerve ending that is affected. Typically, patients can get up to three injections in a year.
2. Heat Therapy
The application of heat can help ease muscle spasms resulting from a herniated disc. Since spasms in the large muscles of the lower back can be especially painful, heat therapy may be a smart option. You can place a hot compress or heating pad against your lower back several times per day, whenever you start to feel a spasm. However, be sure to never leave the hot pad on your back for more than 15-20 minutes at a time so you won’t irritate the skin.
3. Manual Manipulation
If your disc herniation is especially severe, you may wish to consider manual manipulation. This type of treatment, performed by a physician, can help relieve pressure and pain, especially if other things have not worked. In manual manipulation, your physician will provide high-velocity-low-amplitude (HVLA) force to the affected area to move pressure away from the painful nerve.
Again, be sure to consult with your spine specialist before moving forward with a treatment plan for a herniated disc. You can make an appointment with Dr. Sharma on our convenient web page here.
