The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred. The biggest factor in healing a herniated disk is time, because most often it will resolve on its own.
Applying heat and/or cold therapy to the lower back can alleviate muscle tension that is commonly present with a lumbar herniated disc. Heat helps loosen the muscle tightness that causes spasms, increases blood flow, and improves elasticity of connective tissue.
Most people do not need surgery to relieve symptoms of a herniated disc. A few days of rest along with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may be all that's required to alleviate back pain.
Pain that radiates below the knee is a red flag for a herniated disc or nerve root compression below the L3 nerve root. This is based on the dermatomal distribution of the nerve roots and the fact that the pain associated with inflammation radiates along the entire pathway of the nerve.
The severe case of a herniated disk is a medical emergency because of intolerable pain and discomfort. Some of its symptoms include lower back pain, sharp leg or arm pain, loss of bladder or bowel control and numbness, weakness or tingling sensation in the foot and/or leg.
1) Side-lying position: This sleeping position is achieved by lying on your side with a pillow between your legs. It will help keep your spine aligned and take pressure off your herniated disc. 2) Back-lying position: When you sleep on your back, using a pillow under your knees is vital to keep your spine in alignment.
Daily walks are an excellent way to exercise with a herniated disc, without putting additional strain on your spine and causing painful symptoms to flare up.
According to Spine Universe, chiropractic care is a non-surgical option for herniated disc treatment. This makes choosing a chiropractor to address problems with a herniated disc a viable option if you want to avoid undergoing any surgical procedures.
Massage therapists can't cure a herniated disc, but therapeutic bodywork enhances the muscle health of the surrounding area, which can take a lot of the stress off the injured area, allowing it to heal itself. Circulation is stimulated, muscle tension is reduced, and the release of feel-good endorphins means less pain.
Narcotics such as codeine or oxycodone-acetaminophen (Percocet) are also short-term options that your doctor may prescribe if over-the-counter meds don't work. Your doctor might also prescribe muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms in your back.
The spinal canal has limited space, which is inadequate for the spinal nerve and the displaced herniated disc fragment. Due to this displacement, the disc presses on spinal nerves, often producing pain, which may be severe.
Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.
A herniated disk may irritate or compress a nearby spinal nerve root. The result can be back pain, along with pain, numbness or weakness in an arm or leg. For most people who develop back pain — whether it is because of a herniated disk or due to another problem — symptoms often go away within six to eight weeks.
Sitting for long periods of time isn't ideal for people with a herniated disc. A standing desk is a great option, but if you must sit, rest your spine firmly against the chair back, sit up straight, and don't slouch (which strains the spinal ligaments and aggravates a herniated disc).
The recommended sleeping position with a lumbar herniated disc is on your back. This maintains neutral spinal alignment, which reduces the risk of related nerve issues. But if you are a side or stomach sleeper, the shifts in your spinal alignment could be why your disc pain is more noticeable at night.
Face-Up Position
Your eyes should be watching the ceiling. Now keep a pillow right beneath your knees at an angle of 30 degrees. This will assist your spine to decompress itself in addition to elongating it. You may also keep a pillow under your neck to support it and maintain it in a neutral position.
Signs Your Herniated Disc is Healing
However, the first symptom that will reveal that you are on the way to healing is that the sharp, shooting pain in your legs or arms will go away, followed by some muscle weakness in that nerve path. However, if you have numbness, it might take longer to heal.
The Worst Sleeping Position for Herniated Discs
As a result of stomach-sleeping altering the spine's natural curve, patients need to avoid sleeping on their stomachs as much as possible. Consider placing a pillow under your hips if you must sleep on your stomach.
A small bulge may be considered 1-3 millimeters, whereas anything over 4 millimeters is considered moderate. A bulge of 7 millimeters +, is considered severe. When the jelly starts displacing backwards, it causes the outer covering to bulge out and it may put pressure on the nerve roots at that level.
For example, a large herniated disc can be completely painless, while a muscle spasm from a simple back strain may cause excruciating pain. This means that the severity of pain is not a determining factor for identifying a herniated disc.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have: Worsening symptoms. Pain, numbness or weakness can increase to the point that they hamper your daily activities. Bladder or bowel dysfunction.