Herniated Disc Treatment
Thursday, March 06, 2025
Herniated Disc Treatment
Herniated disc treatment is not always a simple fix. There are many options, all not being equal. While some cases respond to conservative treatments like medication and physical therapy, others are earmarked for surgical intervention. These, however, present limitations and risks.
To provide you with the knowledge you need, we present an overview of different treatment options and their effectiveness, risks, and side effects. Finally, we will highlight an advanced minimally invasive procedure that offers superior outcomes compared to conventional approaches.
How Is A Herniated Disc Treated?
Doctors will recommend many different approaches. That said, it’s important to be discerning, as some are more effective than others, while some present challenges best avoided with the right method.
Medications
Medications are often prescribed to manage the pain and inflammation associated with a herniated disc. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. However, their effectiveness is limited.
The use of medications carries potential risks and side effects. Opioids, for instance, can lead to sedation, nausea, confusion, constipation, and potential addiction.
Therapy
Physical therapy aims to alleviate pain and improve function through targeted exercises and modalities. Many seek alleviation through either a chiropractor for herniated disc a massage for herniated disc. While some patients may experience temporary relief, others find that these interventions don’t work.
With therapy also comes the possibility of muscle strains or other minor injuries, if exercises are performed incorrectly.
What Can I Do At Home To Alleviate Herniated Disc Pain?
Applying cold packs can help decrease inflammation and numb sharp pain, while heat therapy can relax muscles and improve blood flow to the affected area. This is, that said, only a temporary solution.
Maintaining proper posture and avoiding physiologically stressful activities is also important. This way, you lower the chances of aggravating the problem.
Surgery
Surgical intervention for a herniated disc is considered when conservative treatments fail to work. They are also suggested when neurological deficits like loss of bladder control are present.
Traditional surgical options include discectomy or spinal fusion, which remove the herniated portion of the disc or stabilize the spine segment respectively. These operations are unfortunately invasive and come with risks.
The risks associated with traditional spine surgeries include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and the potential for recurrent disc herniation.
Laser Disc Repair
Avoiding the dangers of invasive surgeries, the Deuk Laser Disc Repair, developed by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, is a pioneering procedure in this field. It involves a small incision through which an endoscopic camera and laser are inserted to remove inflammation-producing tissue.
This approach has demonstrated a 95% success rate over 15 years, with over 1,300 patients treated without complications.
This innovative approach provides an effective alternative for those seeking herniated disc relief without the risks associated with conventional surgical methods or medications.
As patients experience permanent dissolution of chronic pain, they no longer rely on strong medications. One Tylenol the night after the surgery is generally sufficient.
What Is A Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) of an intervertebral disc protrudes through a tear in its tough exterior layer (annulus fibrosus).
This displacement can irritate nearby nerves in the outer third of the annulus, leading to localized pain.
Herniated discs most commonly occur in the lower back (lumbar spine) but can also affect the neck (cervical spine) or, less frequently, the mid-back (thoracic spine).
What Does A Herniated Disc Feel Like?
Common symptoms include localized pain at the site of the herniation, which may radiate to other areas if the disc has degenerated to the point where it is affecting nearby nerve roots.
Individuals may experience numbness and tingling in the corresponding limbs. For example, herniation in the cervical region can cause weakness in the arms.
In some cases, a herniated disc may not produce noticeable symptoms. This is particularly true if herniation occurs in the front or sides of the intervertebral disc.
Symptoms of A Herniated Disc In Your Lower Back
A herniated disc in the lumbar spine causes pain in the lower back, which can worsen with movement. This discomfort may be intermittent or continuous.
Though not the primary source of pain, a herniated disc compressing a nerve root can lead to sciatica, which is a sharp, shooting pain that radiates down the leg to the calf or foot.
This condition may also cause numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg.
Although less common, severe herniation can compress the spinal cord itself, leading to myelopathy. Symptoms include difficulty walking, coordination problems, and loss of bladder or bowel control.
Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc In Your Mid-Back
Thoracic herniated discs can cause pain in the mid-back region. As with a herniated lumbar disc, individuals might experience radiating pain around the ribcage or upper abdomen, If nerve roots are affected.
Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc In Your Neck
When symptomatic, cervical herniated discs result in neck pain. Severe cases may involve spinal cord compression, resulting in cervical myelopathy.
Symptoms include clumsiness in the hands, difficulty with fine motor skills, and balance issues. Our research indicates that it can cause paralysis in some cases.
What Causes A Herniated Disc?
Sudden and forceful impacts, such as those experienced during car accidents or falls, can cause immediate damage to the spinal discs. These traumatic events may lead to a tear in the spinal disc and displacement of disc material into this tear, resulting in a herniation that causes chronic pain.
Who Gets Herniated Discs?
Herniated discs can affect individuals across various age groups, but certain factors increase susceptibility.
Age-related degeneration is a primary contributor, as spinal discs lose hydration and elasticity as we age, making them more prone to injury. Our research indicates that individuals aged 30 to 50 are particularly at risk.
That said, our findings show that young men are more likely to experience a herniated disc compared to young women.
Jobs that involve repetitive lifting, bending, twisting, or prolonged sitting can place excessive strain on the spine, increasing the likelihood of disc herniation.
Biology also has something to do with it. Genetic predisposition may render some individuals more susceptible to disc problems.
How Is A Herniated Disc Diagnosed?
The first step to healing herniated disc naturally is an accurate diagnosis. It involves a combination of patient history, physical examination, and diagnostic testing.
For a more detailed assessment, Deuk Spine Institute offers a Free MRI review service. Patients can submit their MRI scans online, allowing our medical team to analyze the images and determine the cause of back pain.
Nerve Tests
To evaluate the function of nerves affected by a herniated disc, electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) are employed. These tests measure the electrical activity of muscles and the speed of nerve signal transmission, respectively.
Imaging Tests
Imaging modalities are crucial in visualizing the extent and location of disc herniation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the preferred method, as it provides detailed images of soft tissues, including discs and nerves.
MRIs can reveal the exact site of herniation and any associated nerve compression. In certain cases, computed tomography (CT) scans or X-rays may be used.
Spine Exam
A thorough spine examination is essential in diagnosing a herniated disc. During the physical assessment, the physician evaluates posture, range of motion, and spinal alignment.
Specific tests are performed to elicit symptoms, helping to localize the affected disc and assess the severity of the condition.
How Is A Herniated Disc Prevented?
Preventing a herniated disc involves adopting lifestyle habits that promote spinal health and reduce strain on the back. Regular exercise helps build core muscles that can support the spine. Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the load on the spine, decreasing the risk of disc herniation.
Practicing good posture while sitting, standing, and lifting can minimize undue pressure on the discs.
Avoiding smoking is also a must, as tobacco use can accelerate disc degeneration by reducing blood flow to spinal tissues.
Conclusion
Chronic pain from a herniated disc is highly disruptive, making even simple movements unbearable.
Relying on temporary fixes like medication or physical therapy may delay proper healing while the condition worsens. Similarly, invasive surgeries may promise relief but come with risks, complications, and long recovery times.
The best approach is one that eliminates pain at its source without causing more harm. Deuk Laser Disc Repair removes damaged disc tissue without cutting muscle or bone, preserving spinal function and ensuring faster recovery.
Living with pain isn’t necessary. Get a free MRI review today and stop the suffering at its source.