The Top 3 Treatments for a Herniated Disc

Do you experience unexplained neck or back pain and numbness or tingling in your arms or legs? You might have a herniated disc, a structural condition that can compress nerve roots near your spine. 

Most herniated discs heal on their own, but in the meantime, the symptoms can be restricting. Whether your upper or lower body is most affected, your herniated disc symptoms can stop you from getting things done. Fortunately, conservative care usually does the trick. 

At Integrated Spine and Pain Services in Falls Church and Alexandria, Virginia, board-certified physiatrist Stephanie Clop, MD, can alleviate most herniated disc symptoms with simple, straightforward, and conservative care. Explore her top three treatments for a herniated disc in this article:

1. Physical therapy

Herniated disc physical therapy focuses on reducing the nerve compression that causes pain and other symptoms associated with herniated discs. 

Dr. Clop starts by locating and evaluating the herniated disc along your spinal column. She then determines whether any specific movements worsen your pain and can develop a personalized physical therapy program. 

Physical therapy involves performing specific exercises to restore strength and flexibility to your spine while reducing inflammation that causes nerve compression. Herniated disc physical therapy often focuses on strengthening and stabilizing your core muscles to reduce pressure in the spine. 

Dr. Clop works closely with you as you complete your physical therapy program and evaluates your progress. Physical therapy may be most effective alongside other treatments mentioned in this article. 

2. Anti-inflammatory medications

As their name suggests, anti-inflammatory medications target and reduce inflammation in your body. In turn, this reduces nerve compression associated with herniated discs. The most common anti-inflammatory medications are available without a prescription:

• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Aspirin

Although you can get these without a prescription, you should talk to Dr. Clop about how and when to take them. If you don’t find much relief from a nonprescription anti-inflammatory medication, she can prescribe a more potent medication such as a muscle relaxant. 

3. Activity modification

Simply making temporary changes to your activity and behaviors can go a long way in helping a herniated disc heal. Dr. Clop gives you detailed instructions on how to ease pressure on a herniated disc. She may recommend:

• Avoiding movements that aggravate the pain, like twisting your back or bending down
• Taking frequent breaks from sitting for long periods
• Avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise
• Focusing on low-impact exercise only, like walking and swimming

You should find a healthy balance between light exercise and inactivity as your herniated disc heals. 

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More intensive care for a herniated disc may be necessary if these top three treatments don’t provide relief. Dr. Clop may suggest nerve root blocks, a spinal cord stimulator, or other advanced therapies for persistent herniated disc symptoms.

Call Integrated Spine and Pain Services to schedule an appointment today.