The pain from a herniated disc is often described as sharp, burning, or radiating through the back, sometimes down the buttocks and into the legs. While this pain may not be constant, a period of relief from disc herniation pain doesn’t mean that the injury itself is healed. Disc herniation requires professional intervention from experts like chiropractors, physical therapists, and orthopedic surgeons in order to be properly addressed. However, between appointments, you do not need to suffer from the painful side effects. Read on for some tips to manage pain from a disc herniation.
What Is Disc Herniation?
In order to understand why a herniated disc is painful and what can relieve the pain, it is important to understand how and why the injury occurs in the first place. Rather than one solid piece of bone, the spine is composed of small, moving parts that facilitate mobility. Each bone in the spine is called a vertebra, and they stack on top of one another to hold the body upright. To prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other, small cushion-like pads sit between each bone. When these discs are damaged or moved out of place, they can encroach on the nearby nerve roots, causing pain. This typically happens in the lower back but is possible anywhere in the spine.
Herniated discs are often caused by age and degeneration of the disc over time. As they lose fluid volume, cracks or tears can form on the disc, leading to ruptures. Sudden trauma to the back can also cause a disc to rupture or be knocked out of place. This is common in car accidents and sports injuries. Learn more about how chiropractic care helps disc herniation.
Managing Herniated Disc Pain at Home
When you begin to notice symptoms of a herniated disc, you will want to find relief at home while you wait for your appointment to kick in. These methods for coping with the pain can help until you are able to find professional relief
Hot and Cold Therapy
Extreme temperatures in both poles can help with different forms of back pain. Heat helps to loosen tight muscles, avoiding spasms and increasing blood flow, while cold decreases swelling and causing a temporary numbing effect. For best results, they can be alternated throughout the day in 20 – 30 minute sessions, or you may notice one helps while the other doesn’t.
Gentle Movement
With any back injury, you don’t want to engage in strenuous activity. However, it is important to keep the body moving as it prevents the injury from worsening and releases endorphins. Walking, using a treadmill on a low setting, or cycling on a recumbent bike can all be great options. If these make your pain worse, exercising in the water can be helpful as the buoyancy counteracts gravity and decreases pressure in the spine.
Sleep Positions
Many people find that the pain from disc herniation is worse at night because of pressure placed on the spine during sleep. A pillow between your knees, especially when lying on your side, can help relieve tension and keep your spine straight. If this isn’t right, you may have a herniation further up on your back and can adjust the pillows until you find a more comfortable position
Medications
In general, medication does not address the root cause of your injury and is not a method of actually treating a herniated disc. However, as a moderated form of pain relief, over-the-counter medication can help you to get through the day. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen in particular have anti-inflammatory properties that can provide additional relief. If anything stronger is needed, it will need to be prescribed by a doctor.
Massage
While a professional massage is helpful, massage techniques can also be used at home. A simple tennis ball can be used to put pressure on trigger points to relieve pain, or you can have a loved one do the same. Some massage may hurt at first as muscles are inflamed, but combined with ice therapy, this can be a good sign.
Professional Treatment for Disc Herniation
Ultimately, the damage from a herniated disc will need to be addressed by a professional. This may mean a combination of physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments, or in more severe cases surgery may be the most viable option. Any home remedies should also be run by your medical provider to ensure they are safe for your condition.
