In general, a flare-up can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, it is important to note that every individual is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
In addition to natural wear and tear, other factors that can contribute to a bulging disc include repetitive movements, strenuous lifting, twisting of the body, bone spurs pushing against the disc, and many other degenerative conditions.
In some people, herniated discs may cause mild, occasional pain, punctuated by bursts of more severe flare-ups. If your herniated disc pain comes and goes, there's a good chance it's related to your activity.
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.
There are several signs of a healed herniated disk. 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.
Herniated disks get better on their own over time or with nonsurgical treatment for 9 out of 10 people. If other treatments don't relieve your symptoms, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery.
This pain might shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move into certain positions. Pain is often described as sharp or burning. Numbness or tingling. People who have a herniated disk often have radiating numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves.
Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven't helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.
The good news is that in most cases — 90% of the time — pain caused by a herniated disc will go away on its own within six months. Initially, your doctor will likely recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever and limit activities that cause pain or discomfort.
For some, a herniated disc can heal on its own with plenty of rest and over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. But many people find their pain only gets worse as the disc breaks down even further. You may eventually become limited in what physical activities you can do and find that your pain becomes persistent.
If the herniated disc is not pressing on a nerve, the patient may experience a low backache or no pain at all. If it is pressing on a nerve, there may be pain, numbness or weakness in the area of the body to which the nerve travels.
Herniated disk pain can sometimes be intermittent. People can have minor pain that's always there or stronger pain that comes and goes depending on the activity they're doing. Varying pain typically has to do with movement and the position of the body.
In some cases, a herniated disc may take up to several months to fully heal, as noted by Alexander Butler, M.D. However, Dr. Butler adds that symptoms “typically resolve much sooner.”
Stretching should be done carefully. It's important also to do the right types of stretches since some types actually make your disc herniation worse. Before beginning any exercise routine, it's always a good idea to consult with your pain management physician.
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.
Stages three and four: disc extrusion and sequestration
In the final stage, not only does the nucleus leak out, but it begins dripping out of the disc. In stages three and four, pain is often accompanied by tingling, numbness, and weakness in the nearby tissues.
The majority of disc herniations improve on their own within six weeks to three months, as the body releases enzymes to clear away the herniated piece and the pressure on the nerves goes away.
Most people are able to work with a herniated disc but if the pain gets too severe you may have to take time off until the pain, numbness and tingling resolve. That may take up to six weeks.
If the pain does not subside within a few weeks or worsens, surgery may be necessary. If you continue to experience numbness, weakness, have difficulty standing or walking or have loss of bladder control, you may be a candidate for spinal surgery for your disc herniation.
People with a herniated disk should avoid doing strenuous activities during recovery. People should avoid all exercises that cause pain or feel as though they are making the pain worse.
While most patients no longer have problems after receiving treatment, about 5% of all herniated disc patients will develop another herniation on the same disc later. This is thought to be due to as yet unidentified variables such as individual disc composition.