Rest: Even though it seems like a few days of bed rest may provide some relief, any more then this is not a good idea. Inactivity will make your symptoms worse over time as your back muscles begin to degenerate.
Anti-inflammatory medications: This type of medication will reduce inflammation leading to less pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen products such as Tylenol can help to relieve your pain. Although these provide pain relief, there is a limit to how much pain can be controlled.
Hot and cold packs: Cold packs help to reduce inflammation and relieve some of the discomfort. In a clean towel, wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas and apply to the affected areas for fifteen to twenty minutes four times per day. After 48 hours have passed, apply heat to the affected areas. Warm packs or a heating pad on the lowest setting should help to alleviate some of the pain. Try to alternate warm and cold packs if you continue to have pain.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can play an important part in your recovery from a herniated disk. When your condition improves your physical therapist can work with you to help design a rehabilitation program that will help you prevent the same injury in the future.
Steroid Injections: An injection medication to the affected area may be helpful in some instances. If taken in doses that exceed your natural levels, inflammation is suppressed relieving painful symptoms caused by the pressure of the inflammation. Because of the serious side effects that steroid injections can cause, the number of injections you can receive in a year is usually limited to no more than three.
Physical therapy is usually started once the pain has begun to lessen. Through physical therapy you can begin to strengthen your back muscles and joints. As you strengthen your back muscles you improve the chances of you not re-injuring your back.
Although there may be some residual pain over the next few months the acute pain from your herniated disc should go away within a few weeks. If you have a history of disc problems, strengthening and stretching exercises should be recommended throughout you life to help keep your backaches under control. Strong back muscles are also essential to protecting your spine when lifting.
Good practices to remember when thinking about preventative measures include:
Use proper lifting techniques and maintain a healthy posture.
Avoid standing in one place for longer periods of time.
Stretch often when sitting or standing in the same place for long periods of time.
Use ergonomically correct seating that provides healthy back support.
Sleep on a firm mattress.
Instead of sleeping on your stomach, sleep on your side.
When driving for long periods of time (or sitting in a vehicle as a passenger) stop and rest often. Use this time to stretch your back muscles.
After your injury, to avoid aggravating it further which could lead to permanent damage, make sure you do not return to activity too quickly.
Maintaining good core strength and strong, flexible muscles will decrease the risk of herniated disc.
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