A herniated disc is a common cause of back pain. Discs are cushions made of soft tissue that sit between your vertebrae (bones in your spine). They absorb shocks and help your spine to move.
Your discs have a jelly-like center (a nucleus) inside a tougher outer casing (the annulus). When the nucleus slips out through a tear in the annulus, this is called a herniated, slipped, or ruptured disc.
A herniated disc can be caused by wear and tear or moving awkwardly. If you are an older person or are overweight, your risk of a slipped disc increases.
Symptoms of a herniated disc include:
- Back, shoulder, arm, or leg pain
- Tingling or numbness
- Muscle weakness
These symptoms can be debilitating and significantly impact your activities and quality of life. This means you will want to know how to heal a herniated disc quickly. This article will help you understand more about this condition and achieve your goal.
What Are the Treatment Options for Herniated Discs?
To know how to heal a herniated disc quickly, explore these treatment options.
Conservative treatment
These measures are non-invasive and avoid surgery:
- Physical therapy. A customized physical therapy plan will help ease tight muscles, relieve pressure on nerves, and increase your overall strength and flexibility. While you will need to dedicate time and commitment to your program, physical therapy can be a very effective long-term solution.
- Medication. Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory or muscle-relaxing medication. While this can provide quick relief, it’s not a long-term answer.
- Spinal injections. Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain. Again, they may not provide long-term relief.
Surgical treatment
If your herniated disc doesn’t get better with conservative treatment, you may wish to consider surgery. These are two of the most common surgeries for herniated discs:
- Discectomy: This is a procedure to remove your herniated disc.
- Laminectomy: Here, some of the bone around the herniated disc is removed. This eases pressure on your nerves and creates space in your spinal canal (the structure that contains your spinal cord).
Surgery always carries risk, so it may not be an option you want to consider. However, in severe cases where other methods haven’t worked, it can be an appropriate solution.
What Exercises Can Help Relieve Symptoms of Herniated Discs?
Special exercises can help reduce the pain of a herniated disc. They can also reduce inflammation and help you recover your mobility. Explore our top exercises for a herniated disc.
Prone Lying
This low-impact exercise relieves the pain of sciatica that can be caused by a herniated disc.
- Simply lay on your front on the floor and relax for a few minutes.
Low Back Flexion
This exercise helps back pain and improves flexibility.
- Lay down on your back with your knees bent.
- Bring your knees up and hug them into your chest.
- Hold for 2 seconds, then release your knees.
- Repeat the sequence.
- Do a total of 10 repetitions.
Plank
Practicing plank is an excellent way to strengthen your core muscles and support your spine.
- Lay on your front, forearms to the floor.
- Engage your core, then raise your body to balance on your forearms and toes.
- Ensure that your spine is in a natural position, with the curves aligning.
- Hold that position for 20 to 30 seconds, then lower yourself back onto the floor.
- Do 5 repetitions.
How Can JAG Physical Therapy Assist in Herniated Disc Rehabilitation?
At JAG Physical Therapy, we understand the discomfort of a herniated disc. That’s why we offer evidence-based and customized programs to effectively relieve the symptoms of a herniated disc and boost your well-being.
When you come and see us, your therapist will assess your needs to create a unique rehab program. With their expertise, they will guide you through the recovery process so you regain your vitality.
Overcome Herniated Disc Pain with JAG Physical Therapy
The first step to getting the personalized support you deserve is to reach out for a consultation with the experts at JAG PT.
Get in touch to learn more about our herniated disc rehabilitation services and start working toward your recovery today.