What is a good , non surgical, method of resolving low back pain caused by a hernieated disk?
400511
Surgery should be your last option. \n\nI suggest seeing a physical therapist if necessary but avoiding poor posture. Positioning for comfort and daily abdominal crunches should help. \n\nIf it hurts don't do it. And get a comfortable bed. \n\nIf you get back spasms due to the herniation, see your doctor, you may need an antispasmotic. \n\nLow back pain is a chronic condition. There is no easy fix. Therefore, think long term solutions. You know your body and your pain better than anyone...gauge the effectiveness of your interventions by how you feel. \n\nDon't overly rely on pain meds. They can build tolerance and don't cure you. Use them only for the really bad days. By the way, alternative pain interventions really work. Don't think they don't. Research yoga or meditation. Avoid chiropractors for herniated discs. They won't help in the long run. \n\nHope that helps.
20039
This happens to me, but I have a herniated disc in my lower back.  For those of you with healthy backs, if you are still getting pain get a more comfy chair, get up and move around more often and last but not least sit with good posture!!  Posture will not only make your back feel better but it makes you look more confident and presentable in public.
1036215
JS,\nI'm somewhat familiar with your situation as I'm pretty much in the same boat.  I'm 54 and have degenerative disk disease (DDD) with 11 herniated and/or bulging disks in my upper and lower back.  It sounds like you might have the same thing along with the scoliosis.  Have you had an MRI of your upper back?  It's not a big deal knowing it, since there's no cure or treatment for DDD, in fact they're not sure what causes it.  The bottom line with DDD is there's nothing they can do but treat the pain.  Injuries to the spinal cord or the nerves that attach to the spinal cord do not heal themselves nor will they "reroute" themselves as other nerves in your body sometimes can.  With spinal nerve damage, once it happens, you've got it forever.\n\nI've got a damaged nerve on the left side of the T3/T4 disk that's been causing me constant pain for over 3 years now.  I was coughing, of all things, and blew the disk out, which crushed or dented the nerve.  I've been in constant, terrible pain ever since.  Every hour, every day, it hasn't let up, not even for a second.  There's no "comfortable position," no way to ease that "ice pick in the back" pain I have.  It just "is" and it takes over every aspect of your life.  Sometimes I do something, move a certain way, and bingo, the pain shoots up near the top of the scale.  Sometimes it goes back to "normal" (around a 3 or 4 on the pain scale) after a few minutes and sometimes it stays up there around an 8 or 9 for two or three days. Sometimes I can do some particular thing without making it worse and then I do the same thing a week later and I'm back in the jackpot.  It seems there's no reason or rhyme to it.  \n\nI've had 5 Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI), which unfortunately did nothing but give me diabetes, one more thing I have to deal with.  Ok, I should say that the docs think the ESI *did* work, in that it caused the disk to shrink just as it was supposed to, but unfortunately the physical damage to the nerve was already done and that's what is causing the chronic pain.  \n\nI'm taking some pretty strong pain killers, morphine and codeine (can you spell "addict"?), plus I've just started Lyrica.  I tried Neurontin a couple of years ago but it didn't help.  I'm hoping the Lyrica will help this time and maybe I can get off the morphine, which, for one thing doesn't work all that well but also it has some bad side effects.  Mine aren't as bad as some I've talked to, but they're bad enough.  Yes, I know it could be worse and while I have a great deal of sympathy for others that are worse off than me, hearing about the plight of someone else doesn't make me feel any better.\n  \nI'm also taking some stuff called Zanaflex (generic name: Tizanidine) which, while it has some side effects, really helped when I started getting extremely sharp, radiating pains that went from the damaged nerve at the T3/T4 site, down the back of my left arm and up the back of my neck.  The Zanaflex stopped the pain right away and it's one of the best meds I've ever taken when it comes to doing what it's supposed to.  I stopped taking it for a day and the pains came back, so I know it's working.  Zanaflex is a muscle relaxer and apparently the pain in my arm and neck were the result of muscle spasms generated by the nerve damage in my back.\n\nThe biggest problem I have with it is that it knocks me out cold!  I've talked to others that have had different, intolerable, side effects, so it's not going to work for everyone.  I'm supposed to take 4mg three times a day but instead I take two of them (8mg) before I go to bed.  It has a dual effect of stopping the pain plus it's a fantastic sleep aid - but you better not change your mind about sleeping after you take it!  \n\nOne of the best things about it is that it
805397
Personally, I don't suggest you to see a chiro. You may however try putting hot compress on the area for 20 - 30 min a day or as needed. Then try stretching back muscles. Also, strengthen muscles on your back. If the pain worsens, try seeing an orthopedic doctor. You you will go through an a xray to check if it's your spine that's causing the pain. If it's the muscle, go to a physical therapist. You can be treated with Ultrasound and they'll teach you the different exercises that can stretch and streghten the muscles supporting your back legs.
568232
I had that done. I was feeling better INSTANTLY, like someone flipped the pain switch back off. The disc was pressing on a nerve and I was in SO much pain prior to surgery. Hope your dad gets the same relief I did.\n\nTime off work will depend on what sort of a job he has. I don't have a physically demanding job and was back at work in a week.
1174
The initial treatment for a herniated disc is usually conservative and nonsurgical. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest, or advise you to maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This helps the spinal nerve inflammation to decrease.  herniated disc is frequently treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication if the pain is only mild to moderate. An epidural steroid injection may be performed utilizing a spinal needle under x-ray guidance to direct the medication to the exact level of the disc herniation. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Therapy may include pelvic traction, gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching exercises. Pain medication and muscle relaxants may also be beneficial in conjunction with the physical therapy. If these conservative measures do not help, then usually surgery is indicated.
776308
I am an expert on back problems.  Not because I am a nurse, but because I have the same problem.  Has he ever had an MRI?  He may have herniated discs by now.  If these are not checked out, they can lead to ruptured disc and that is very, very serious.  I had surgery eventually.  Meantime, use what I have been telling everyone.  Apply heat to the area for about 10-15 min a session, followed by ice for the same amount of time.  I really don't condone acupuncture especially if he has bad disc.  I believe it could make it worse, that's just my personal opinion.  Tell your dad I will be praying for him.  I hurt just thinking about him.  By the way, I still have 5 more herniated discs and It hurts.  God bless your dad, and you for your concern.  You must bve a wonderful son to your parents.
903986
Most sciatica pain responds well to self-measures.  You'll heal more quickly if you continue your usual activities but be sure to avoid the move that triggers the pain.  For pain relief, you'll have to see what works best for you.  NSAIDs such as aspirin, naproxen sodium and ibuprofen will alleviate both pain and inflammation.  Acetaminophen alleviates pain only.  But there's a limit as to how much pain these can control.  Make sure your doctor is aware of what you take, how much & how often and how effective it is.  For more severe pain that is unrelieved or inadequately relieved by NSAIDs or Tylenol, your doctor may want to prescribe an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxer, a tricyclic antidepressant or an anticonvulsant.  You can also use the hot-cold method.  When the pain starts, apply ice packs or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel to the affected areas for 15-20 min. 4x a day.  After 48 hrs. apply heat (heating pad on the lowest setting, heat packs commercially sold or a heat lamp).  You can alternate hot and cold if necessary.\n\nGentle stretching for the lower back may relieve nerve root compression and make you feel better but try not to jerk or twist your back.\n\nProlonged rest will worsen your pain.  FYI:  Naprosyn (naproxen sodium) is available over-the-counter.   You don't need a prescription.  And Aleve IS naproxen.
571284
You have my sympathy..back problems are so debilitating,I know,having suffered for many years,ranging from Sciatica to a Prolapsed Disc.\nMy advise to you would be,plenty of rest with a cold compress on the affected area,pain-relief and anti-inflammatory and a cream/ointment designed for muscle strain etc.\nMaybe you could ask someone to massage some Tea Tree and Lavender blended with a good carrier oil such as,Almond,into the lower back using as much pressure as is comfortable for you.\nIf any of the above don't improve your condition then I suggest you visit a Chiropractor or see your GP and ask for an x-ray just to rule out anything more serious such as disc problems or trapped nerves.\nI wish you a speedy recovery and hope you are feeling better very soon.
655824
I find already three answers are there and the second one even gives you certain very good medicines .\nI do suffere from it L4 & L5 disc prolapse and under went treatment for more than one month admission in hospital.\nWeights were added to pull the leg through pulleys and immediately pain would go After some time the pain used to relapse and only when weights are removed the pain used to subside!!!Then SCIATICA developed. \nWhen you are affected badly having pain take rest. Lie down.\nLet the bed be hard one. Keep a prop up in the back while lying on back\nTake neurobion tablets to strengthen the nerves .Take DICHLOGESIC tablets .If any nervine injectionws are there take one course.When pain is more take pain killer tablets.\nBE ON BED REST till you become normal.\n\nDont sit on floor cross leged.Sit in  chairs straight and up right with a pop up to the back. There are certain chairs specially developed for this problem.Wear the hip belt.\nIt has a steel plate a small flat piece which helps as additional support to your back bone. WEAR IT ALWAYS.\nREMOVE only at night so that the nerves get relaxed at night.DONT EVER LIFT ANY WEIGHT. Even light weight learn how to sit and lift and not by bending your chest forward to lift the weight.Dont climb upstairs with weight.\nDont travel in two wheelers or in buses in back seat on bumpy roads. Every jerk adds to your problem.\nThere are certain exercises to lubricate the affected parts and to remove its frigidness. \nLifting one leg staright up without pain lying backwards and with one leg straightened and rotating it clockwise and anti clockwise. Just three four times and bring down and rest, \nRepeat with the other leg.Initially even lifting up may be painful. Dont exercise when pain is there.\nSame way lying on belly lift one leg up backwards straight without bending.\nStand up on toes with hands on some support like railings.\nLye on back kkep a low stool on which you lift and put your two legs and press the back to the floor. and then relax.\n\nGo to any hospital site and see the exercises for DISC PROLAPSE.
1124462
There is another solution without operation: Go for a manual one-time treatment called Atlasprofilax. The effect is, that the pressure on the discs is distributed much better - so the herniated discs may recover completely.\n\nJust - the treatment is available in California and Europe only, costing approx. 220 dollars. It's really worth travelling far.
946571
It's best to have a good thorough physical examination as the majority of herniated discs are not painful.  When MRI was invented, healthy pain free volunteers were scanned just to see what normal anatomy was like.  What was discovered was that a lot of these healthy volunteers had herniated and bulging discs with no pain.  There are other structures that cause pain in the spine as well, unfortunately, many physicians go right to the MRI, see a herniated disc and blame it for all pain.  A good thourough examination will often reveal the structure causing pain and the MRI  should be used to confirm these findings, otherwise it may lead to inappropriate treatment.  You also didn't mention what actually hurts; is it your neck only or your arm as well?  You may want to see a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician (Physiatrist) in your area for treatment.
301241
I have mild scoliosis along with a herniated disc in my lower back.  I've only had one bout of very severe pain and it lasted about 4 months.  It was so bad it kept me awake at night and I walked with a limp and I thought I was going to have to have surgery but I really wanted to avoid that.  I went to a chiropractor and he did help the limp but the pain only got worse.  What finally helped me get rid of the pain was when my doctor prescribed a round of Prednisone to help with the inflammation.  It finally eased the pain enough that I could get some sleep.  After I finished the Prednisone and was enough better that I could at least function, he sent me to a Physical Therapist to learn some helpful exercises.  I had to do them every day but the improvement in the pain was definitely enough to keep me doing the exercises.  The next step for me was weigh loss. I lost 115 pounds and started doing all kinds of different exercises from aerobics, to running, to weight lifting.  I have been completely pain free for over almost a year and a half now and I managed to avoid surgery.  Good luck with your pain, I know it's excruciating and miserable to have to live with back pain.  I hope you get it resovled soon.
959141
I use it for low back pain
113398
I had a herniated disk in my neck at the C4/C5 level. I lived with it for 7 years. In those seven years, I went to acupuncturists, chiropractors, went through physical therapy, had medical massages, and many, many pain pills.\n\nWhen the pain gets to the point where you can't sleep through the night and you are having a hard time walking, then it is time for surgery.\n\nAs with any surgery, do your research. With this surgery, the surgeon is dealing with your spinal cord. Find the top 5 neurosurgeons in your county or state (depending on how big your state is) and go to one of them. I was fortunate. My surgical team consisted of two of the top 5 in NY state. The whole team and hospital were wonderful.\n\nBecause I waited 7 years...I have permanent nerve damage that I wouldn't have if I had gone sooner. Do you have pinched nerves because of the herniation? You don't mention how long you have dealth with the pain, so just keep this in mind.\n\nAlso, I'm not sure if surgery on the lower back is the same as on the upper back/neck area, but I had to pretty much learn how to walk again after having my neck worked on. It was very slow at first, but when I went home from the hospital, I had to go up three flights of stairs to get to my apartment, not an easy hurdle. \n\nThey cut through the front of my neck to get to the back, pretty freaky thought, huh? Honestly though, the surgeon said that from a surgeon's point of view, it was easier and safer to do the surgery that way.\n\nI wish you the best of luck and hope you at the very least consider having an MRI to see how close the herniation is to your spinal cord. You do not want to be paralyzed just because you were trying to prevent surgery.
1117931
Well, there is a fairly new one-time treatment called Atlasprofilax. This treatment really seems to stop a main cause of these disc problems, and I know of some persons who got rid of all symptoms within a short period of time.\n\nAnyway, it's worth trying - you'll be amazed.\n\nJust - the treatment is available in California and Europe only, costing approx. 220 dollars. It worth even a long journey! :-)
882893
My father had 5 slip disks! Everyday he would be in pain but luckly he could control it. To make it feel better he would go into the hot tub every night. Maybe this will help.