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Treatment for a slipped disc will most often consist of a short period of rest combined with pain and anti-inflammatory medicine. If required physical therapy will be a follow method used. Five percent of patients will not recover through these methods, leaving them to seek more in-depth treatments such as steroid injections or surgery. The 95% that do recover are able to return to their normal activity level.
Medicine treatments for slipped disc
NSAID is the acronym for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Most people suffering from a slipped disc will often receive their first treatment in the form of a small rest and a combination of NSAIDs and narcotic pain killers.
In patients suffering from back spasms, a muscle relaxant will usually be prescribed as well. Depending on circumstances, steroids may be given through pill for or directly injected into the patient though an IV line, although this is only done on rare occasions.
Treatment for slipped disc with lifestyle change
Overweight individuals carrying excessive weight (especially in the stomach) place excessive strain on their lower back. This is because the lower back provides the majority of the support needed for your body. While fighting the effects of gravity, any excessive weight you are carrying magnifies the force being placed on your body.
Physical therapy may become a required step in fighting through slipped disc pain and eventually reclaiming your life. A physical therapist will work with helping you to reform proper habits such as, lifting techniques, proper clothing, how to walk without placing as much strain on your back and many other activities. Along with this re-educating, the therapist will work with you helping to strengthen the muscles of your abdomen and lower back, encouraging stronger support for the spine.
A back brace may be temporarily used but it is not recommended for any extended length of time. It is important that you still use and work on building the muscles that help to stabilize your back. Using a brace only helps to encourage the muscles responsible for “bracing” your back to not function at their fullest potential. A weight belt can help you to avoid injuring your back by temporarily bracing the area against heavy strain from lifting.
Injections - treatment for slipped disc
If conventional treatments for a slipped disc fail, steroid injections into the back around the area of the slipped disc may help to control some of the pain being felt for months at a time. The steroid inject works by reducing the swelling around the slipped disc, thus removing some of the pressure on the affected nerve, relieving much of the symptoms. Steroid injections are usually done once every three months and may be done as an out patient treatment.
Self-Care Treatments for slipped disc
I is possible for someone to treat a minor slipped disc themselves with the aid of doctor consultation. Self treatment for slipped disc will often include application of hold and cold packs to the affected area, two or three days of bed rest (not longer then this as after this period muscle will begin to atrophy), combined will over the counter pain relievers that have acetaminophen or ibuprofen in them. Tylenol has acetaminophen and Advil has ibuprofen. Back strengthening exercises and stretching is suggested as the slipped disc begins to improve.