Consider These Remedies When You Have a Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are a common source of back pain. Your intervertebral discs are spongy shock absorbers that lay between your vertebrae. Any strain or pressure on one of your discs can cause the soft inner gel of the disc to bulge out of the tough exterior. When this happens, it may press on your nerves and cause pain. 

The good news is that even though herniated discs cause discomfort, there are many remedies to help ease your symptoms. 

Our team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons offers many different treatments for herniated discs here at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County in Bloomfield Hills and Clarkston, Michigan, but we want you to learn strategies to support your back at home too. 

Read on to learn some steps you can take to ease your discomfort at home. 

At-home remedies for herniated discs

Herniated discs don’t always require surgical intervention. Many people find that nonsurgical treatments are enough to help with a bulging disc. The many remedies include:

Rest and activity modification

Rest is important, but it’s also important not to lay around for too long. Resting for 1-2 days may be enough to ease your pain so you can get back to your daily routine. Although you may be tempted to lay on the couch or bed for longer than that, prolonged bed rest can exacerbate back pain. 

Once you’ve resumed your normal routines, be sure to add frequent rest breaks throughout your day. Avoid sitting for long periods of time. If needed, set a timer to stand up, stretch, and walk around every hour. 

In addition to rest, consider activity modification:

• Pause all intense workouts and focus on gentle, back-friendly exercises such as walking or gentle yoga
• Ensure all of your movements are slow and controlled
• Use proper posture when bending or twisting 

Avoid any heavy lifting or intense physical activity while you’re recovering.

Anti-inflammatory medication

You may find that over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication helps ease pain and inflammation. Always take medication as directed. 

Heat and ice

Heat therapy and cold therapy can also help ease your back pain. Generally, ice is used during the first 24 hours after an injury to help reduce inflammation. For example, if you lift a heavy item and injure your back, apply cold compresses intermittently for 15-20 minutes every few hours. Never place ice directly on your skin. Place a soft cloth between the ice and your back. 

There are many ways to enjoy heat therapy:

• Adhesive heat wraps that apply a steady supply of low-level warmth
• Heating pads 
• Hot water bottles
• A soak in a bath 
• Relaxing in a whirlpool 

Heat therapy is particularly helpful for soothing muscle spasms. 

When at-home remedies aren’t enough

At-home remedies can help soothe your back, but if your pain is severe or you’re not improving after a few days, you may need to seek medical intervention. Here at Orthopedic Specialists of Oakland County, our multidisciplinary team can help treat herniated discs through a variety of treatments including:

• Physical therapy
• Assistive devices, such as a back brace
• Spinal injections 
• Nerve blocks

In rare instances, surgery may be the best path forward to treat a severely herniated disc. If that’s the case for you, know that our team prioritizes minimally invasive surgical techniques when possible.

Our goal is to help you find relief from the pain of herniated discs so you can get back to your normal routines. For more information on your potential treatment options or to explore the possibility of surgery, schedule a consultation at our location of your choice by calling 248-335-2977 today. Or you can always use our online form to get started.