Herniated Disc Treatment
Herniated disc treatment is a diverse healthcare specialty with many therapy options to choose from. There are both medical and alternative treatments available. It is often difficult and confusing for the patient to know what is right for them. The one thing that all of these patients really want is
herniated disc
pain relief. The only question is…"HOW DO THEY FIND IT?" Research shows that most disc protrusions are not problematic and therefore require no treatment at all. Research also shows that patients who seek no treatment for disc issues may be better off longterm than those who do. In a medical sector which provides such a diversity of therapy options, this is truly an eye-opening set of facts!
Traditional Medical Approach
There are many paths to medical herniated disc care. Here is a typical progression used by countless patients as advised by their physician:
Bed rest
and limited activity are used during the acute phase when the pain is too severe for the patient to do much else. This may last days or weeks, regardless of whether the disc has been linked to the symptomatic expression or not..
Spinal traction
might be employed to keep the patient resting in bed, especially in underdevelped countries.
Pain management drugs
may be handed out like candy. These may include pain relievers, inflammation reducers and muscle relaxants.
Epidural injections
may be recommended immediately or may be used if the disc does not feel better after a specified length of time. Most patients will endure several rounds of injections over several months or years.
Physical therapy
is started in an effort to rehabilitate the back or neck. This exercise treatment is often supplemented by continuing injections or drugs for symptom management.
Back surgery
is a drastic option recommended for patients who do not fully recover or for those who demonstrate severe and intractable symptoms. Once again, this recommendation is often made without any definitive evidence linking the expression to the herniated disc.A good doctor will always proceed with the most conservative methods first. Surgery is rarely an immediate need, except in extreme cases such as
cauda equina syndrome.
If you feel your doctor is suggesting surgery too early in your treatment, make sure you get a
second opinion.
Alternative Approach to Herniated Disc Treatment
These disc treatments may be used individually or in combination with each other. Alternative treatments for herniated disc pain may also be used with the traditional medical approach, as well.
Chiropractic
Acupuncture
Electrotherapy
Spinal decompression
Ozone discolysis
Knowledge therapy
I believe that most providers of these arts and sciences truly mean well and would like to cure their patients. However, patients involved in alternative therapy tend to stay in treatment much longer than in the traditional medical approach. Some patients fall into a lifelong cycle of treatments to maintain their health. Some of these treatments actually inform the patient that lifelong care is preferable. It sounds like a great sales approach to me... Use a time of emotional and physical weakness to plant the seeds for a lifelong customer… ooops, I mean patient. Hmmm, ethically suspect to be sure. Be careful of opportunistic care providers. Trust your instincts. If something seems a little off, it might be a good idea to go elsewhere for care.
Herniated Disc Treatment Considerations
If the disc treatment does not do anything to repair or resolve the actual physical problem, then it is only going to treat your symptoms.
Symptomatic treatment
will NEVER CURE YOU. How are chiropractic, acupuncture or electrotherapy going to remove a damaged disc that is pressing on a nerve? THEY WON‘T. They can only offer possible relief for the symptoms. Remember this when considering the difference between a TREATMENT and a CURE. For more information on selecting the best therapy choices for your diagnosis, please read the section covering the full gamut of
back pain treatments.
However, never forget that so many of these treatments mistakenly pre-suppose a direct correlation between the existence of the herniation and the expression of pain. This link can surely exist, but must be studied and proven through diagnostic evaluation. This is never accomplished for most patients. Additionally, the simple fact remains that symptomatic herniations are the gross exception to the rule, rather than the rule itself. Never forget this fact when considering whether herniated disc treatment is even necessary at all.
Herniated Disc Treatment to Back Pain
5/19/06 Revised 12/26/11
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