In about a week, most patients are able to return to work; those with very physical jobs will need to wait until they have fully recovered, however. Full recovery usually occurs in about 8 weeks, and at that time patients can go about all their normal physical activities with no restrictions.
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.
A herniated disc may require 1 or 2 days rest to alleviate pain. However, you should resist the temptation to lie in bed for days at a time because your muscles need conditioning to aid the recovery process. If you forgo exercise and physical activity, your body may not respond to treatment as well as it could.
Rest. Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.
So yes, you may be working with no issues and have a bulging disc in your back. However, if you are having pain that radiates into your arms, hands, legs or feet because of a bulging disc then this is likely a more significant problem.
With herniated discs, you would not be able to perform a variety of job tasks. You can't work in construction, manufacturing, or warehouse jobs because they require regular reaching, lifting, and carrying. Your limited mobility and pain would make those activities impossible.
Is herniated disc a permanent disability in Australia? A herniated disc is a medical condition that causes widespread pain, and limited range of motion or motor function. The injury can be considered as a permanent disability depending on the level of it.
Sitting for long periods is not advised if you suffer from a herniated disc. It places more stress on your spinal discs, worsening the pain. You can maintain comfort by regularly moving around or standing up from your seat.
The pain from a herniated disc usually is worse when you are active and gets better when you are resting. Coughing, sneezing, sitting, driving, and bending forward may make the pain worse. The pain gets worse when you make these movements because there is more pressure on the nerve.
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.
Most people recover from back pain and get back to work within 4 weeks. It is uncommon for workers to remain on sick leave for more than 6 months.
At best, too much bed rest does nothing to help you heal. At worst, it worsens your herniated disc. This is why it's best to only get limited bed rest and only immediately after you first experience pain from a herniated disc. The rule of thumb is no more than 2 days of bed rest.
The Worst Sleeping Position for Herniated Discs
Stomach sleeping is considered to be one of the worst sleeping position for spine health, as it strains the muscles, ligaments, and vertebrae of the neck. Additionally, sleeping on your stomach could cause a deeper arch in your low back, causing more pain.
Use a raised toilet seat or install handrail next to the toilet to help take pressure off your back when you sit on and get up from the toilet. Also make sure the toilet paper is easy to reach. Don't wear high-heeled shoes.
Individuals with a herniated disc can generally return to regular day-to-day activities relatively soon, usually within a few days. “We encourage patients to return to normal everyday activity such as walking as soon as comfort allows,” Dr. Butler says.
Disc herniation is pathologically divided into 4 stages of herniated nucleus pulposus: 1) bulging, 2) protrusion, 3) extrusion, 4) sequestration.
Is A Herniated Disc A Disability? Yes, a herniated disc is considered a disability by the SSA if you are unable to work for at least 12 months due to the condition.
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.
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) usually provides the most accurate assessment of the lumbar spine area, showing where a herniation has occurred and which nerves are affected. Often, an MRI scan is ordered to aid surgical planning. It can show where the herniated disc is and how it is impinging on the nerve root.
The average settlement value for a bulging disc in a personal injury lawsuit is about $15,000 to $30,000. The median jury award in bulging disc cases is $31,000. Bulging disc cases have a lower average settlement value when compared to herniated disc cases. Can You Get a Bulging Disc from a Car Accident?
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. During that time, you can take steps to ease discomfort.
Pain while sitting is the primary complaint of many patients with lumbar spinal ailments, including those with discogenic low back pain and lumbar disc herniations (1,2). These patients typically achieve some degree of relief of their symptoms in the standing position.
A herniated disc can cause pain while you sleep for a few reasons. First, when you lie down, the pressure on your discs increases. It can cause the herniated disc to bulge more and pressure your nerves. Second, lying down flat on your back may not be the best position for a herniated disc.