Treatment with rest, pain medication, spinal injections, and physical therapy is the first step to recovery. Most people improve in 6 weeks and return to normal activity.
If you experience severe pain and worsening symptoms, it may be best to take some time off to rest and recover. Additionally, if your job involves heavy lifting or other strenuous activities, it may be necessary to take some time off to protect your spine and allow for proper healing.
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.
Doctors recommend that people recovering from herniated disc surgery avoid the following activities for around 4 weeks: driving. sitting for long periods. lifting heavy weights.
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.
If you're experiencing neck, mid back, or low back pain, any activity involving prolonged sitting will often worsen the pain. Furthermore, if you have a pre-existing disc herniation or disc bulge, prolonged sitting in the car can further exacerbate your condition.
Once a healthy disc herniates, it will never return to its normal anatomical state—the disease or injury is permanent in nature.
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer as to whether your disc herniation will fully heal. With treatment, a disc herniation can dry up, shrink or go away. Your body may have an autoimmune response and aid in healing the herniation.
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.
If you are suffering from herniated discs, you will not be able to perform manufacturing or construction jobs that involve lifting, carrying, and bodily labor because of the pain experienced.
He explains that it's best to be up about as much as possible; complete bed rest for a herniated disc is not recommended. Many patients with a slipped disc find that sleeping in a recliner chair is most comfortable.
Living with a herniated disc
Your chances of getting better are good. Most people who have a herniated disc are better in about 4 weeks. Sometimes it takes longer. If you still have pain or numbness after 4 to 6 weeks, or if you feel worse, talk with your doctor.
Herniated spinal discs are fairly common. Fortunately, surgery is not typically required for a herniated disc. In fact, only about 10 percent of herniated disc patients end up needing surgery, according to research cited by Harvard Health.
Depending on your superannuation policy, You could claim: A total and Permanent Disability payout, which is on average anywhere between $50,000 – $350,000. Income protection benefits of up to 95% of your average pay for a period of about 2-5 years, depending on the details of your income protection cover.
Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. The irritation can be from compression of the nerve or, much more commonly, the herniation causes a painful inflammation of the nerve root.
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.
Any kind of strenuous activity is bound to worsen the symptoms associated with your herniated disc. Even stretches are too dangerous to attempt, as they put too much pressure and movement on your spine.
stay active (including work) - your back is designed for movement so the sooner you start doing your ordinary activities the better. use prescribed pain killers preferably taken at regular intervals (Paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) heat or cold applied to the sore area may help.
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.
Along with excessive reaching, stretching, and bending, sitting can aggravate the symptoms of a herniated disc (sometimes referred to as a “ruptured” or “bulging” disc) for some people. This does not mean you cannot actually sit comfortably if you have disc-related problems.
MRI. Radio waves and a strong magnetic field are used to create images of the body's internal structures. This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected.