Most people with a slipped disc in the lumbar region of their spine (lower back) are offered “conservative” treatment, meaning that the treatment does not involve surgery. This mainly involves exercise, relaxation and positioning, painkillers or local anesthetics, and manual and physical therapy.
Which doctor is good for slip disc?
Doctors who perform discectomy include orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons: Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases and conditions of the muscles and bones including the spine.
How long is physical therapy for bulging disc?
Duration of treatment can range from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the severity of the symptoms. Patients need to continue with a regiment of stretching, strengthening and stabilization exercises.
Can a chiropractor fix a slipped disc?
It can get to the point where many patients mistakenly believe surgery is the only option. But it’s not. Chiropractic care may be effective in the treatment of slipped discs, no matter the severity.
How do you get a slipped disc back in place?
Slipped discs usually resolve on their own, but physical therapy or other medications can help with pain. The majority of disc herniations improve on their own within six weeks to three months, as the body releases enzymes to clear away the herniated piece and the pressure on the nerves goes away.
What a slipped disc feels like?
What does a slipped disc feel like? A slipped disc can cause sharp and severe back pain, which worsens when you’re active. It might feel better when you’re lying down. However, small motions like coughing or sneezing may cause the pain to return.
How serious is a slipped disc?
An untreated, severe slipped disc can lead to permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, a slipped disc can cut off nerve impulses to the cauda equina nerves in your lower back and legs. If this occurs, you may lose bowel or bladder control. Another long-term complication is known as saddle anesthesia.
What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?
- Alternate applying heat and cold.
- Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.
- Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.
What will a physical therapist do for a bulging disc?
Passive physical therapy techniques for bulging discs usually include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy. Active treatments include core strengthening exercises, stretching, active hydrotherapy, and exercises to strengthen the back, legs, and arms.
Can you massage a bulging disc back into place?
As you might expect, a herniated or bulging disc in the lumbar spine can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause muscle spasms, cramps, numbness and considerable pain in the neck, back or legs. The good news is that remedial massage can be very beneficial in treating bulging or herniated disc symptoms.
Is massage good for slipped disc?
Deep Tissue Massage: There are more than 100 types of massage, but deep tissue massage is an ideal option if you have a herniated disc because it uses a great deal of pressure to relieve deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.
Can you pop a slipped disc back in?
In theory the disc should be able to be popped back into its natural state, but it is very difficult to just “pop” a herniated disc back into place like a displaced gear. In fact, trying to pop a disc back into place can make the issue worse if the person doing the “popping” doesn’t know what they are doing.
Is a herniated disc the same as a slipped disc?
Herniated disks are also called ruptured disks or slipped disks, although the whole disk does not rupture or slip. Only the small area of the crack is affected. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots.
How would I know if I had a slipped disc?
- lower back pain.
- numbness or tingling in your shoulders, back, arms, hands, legs or feet.
- neck pain.
- problems bending or straightening your back.
- muscle weakness.
- pain in the buttocks, hips or legs if the disc is pressing on the sciatic nerve (sciatica)
What makes a slipped disc worse?
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
Can xray show slipped disc?
Plain X-rays don’t detect herniated disks, but they can rule out other causes of back pain, such as an infection, tumor, spinal alignment issues or a broken bone.
Can slip disc be cured permanently?
If not detected on time, a bulging disc can become sequestration disc, where a surgery may be needed, says Dr Kumar. Can slipped disc be cured? Yes, slipped disc can be cured. It cannot be entirely prevented but one can reduce the risk by being physically active, performing back strengthening exercises and yoga.
Is heat good for a slipped disc?
For mild herniated disc pain, relieve the inflammation to decrease pain. For instance, applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area may be a good way to temporarily relieve your pain and reduce inflammation.
What are the symptoms of L5 nerve damage?
L5 NERVE ROOT DAMAGE This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, weakness and shooting and is commonly felt in the big toe, inside of the foot, top of the foot and ankle. Radiculopathy of the L5 nerve may also cause loss of coordination in the foot and toes.
How long does a slipped disc take to heal?
The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.
What to avoid when you have a slipped disc?
- Sitting too much. Sitting puts more stress on your spinal discs, especially when slouching forward in a seat.
- Doing laundry.
- Vacuuming.
- Feeding a pet.
- Strenuous exercise.
- Shoveling snow or gardening.
- Learn more:
Can you make a herniated disc worse?
An untreated herniated disk can get worse. That’s especially true if you continue the activities that caused it — for instance, if it developed because of your work. A worsening ruptured disk may cause chronic (ongoing) pain and loss of control or sensation in the affected area.
Can you feel a slipped disc with your hand?
If you have a herniated cervical disc, you may feel pain that radiates down your arm and possibly into your hand. You may also feel pain on or near your shoulder blade, and neck pain when turning your head or bending your neck.
Is laying down good for herniated disc?
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve.
Can drinking water heal a herniated disc?
Eventually, it can lead to pain and swelling and even a bulging disc or herniated disc. Drinking water to adequately replenish the discs with the amount water needed to work properly can reduce the likelihood of developing back pain.