3 Effective Treatments For Herniated Discs
If you're experiencing a lot of pain and numbness in your lower back, chances are you have a herniated disc. This ailment can be debilitating and hinder you from performing a lot of your favorite activities. There is relief, though, thanks to these proven treatments.
Apply Heat
Heat can have a profound effect on sore/tight muscles as it increases blood flow to these areas. The end result is more nutrients and injured debris getting flushed out of your system, giving you much needed relief. There are many different heat treatments you can try to speed up the healing process.
For example, you can place a heat pad on the area that you're experiencing pain. These pads are relatively inexpensive and come with multiple heat settings, depending on how much pain you're in. Adhesive heat wraps are also advantageous to use for herniated discs, as they can be applied to virtually any part of your body.
Get an Epidural Steroid Injection
If you're in a tremendous amount of pain, you probably don't want to sit around waiting for heat treatments to work. Instead, you need instant relief. Epidural steroid injections are great for this purpose because they are effective and have fast-acting results. These injections don't hurt at all and you often don't need an appointment to get them.
They work by providing particular nerves with anti-inflammatory medication that promotes healing throughout the day. In order for these injections to be effective, though, you need to tell your doctor exactly where you're feeling the most pain.
Hire a Physical Therapist
Sometimes the only way to find relief with a herniated disc is to seek professional help. Physical therapists can treat your pain and increase your range of motion, so you can get back to the life you once new before all of these physical problems started happening.
They have many passive and active techniques for treating lower back pain associated with herniated discs. Passive applications include ultrasound, heat/ice packs, and iontophoresis. As far as active treatment options, they generally recommend stretching. They'll manipulate your body in different directions to help increase blood flow and reduce inflammation.
As you get older, your chances of experiencing a herniated disc drastically go up. Fortunately, there are plenty of solutions and remedies that can help you recover in an effective manner. If you take this healing process serious, a herniated disc won't affect your life as much. For more information, contact establishments like Southwest Florida Neurosurgical & Rehab Associates.