Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) are staples in the treatment of cervical disc disease because they reduce both pain and inflammation.
Take an over-the-counter pain medicine like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). These medicines can help relieve your pain and bring down swelling.
Ice and Heat
Start with ice to relieve inflammation. Apply an ice pack to your lower back for the first couple of days after the pain starts. On day three or four, switch to heat. Use a heating pad or an over-the-counter heat patch to help relax the muscles.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are the first-line medications for a bulging disc. For more severe pain, prescription medication may be necessary. In some cases, a muscle relaxer can help if there are muscle spasms.
When an inflamed nerve swells, it may push up against the slipped disc. By treating the inflammation with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, swelling and the resulting pain may go away. The most common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
Take painkillers
Alternate painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. Paracetamol on its own is not recommended for back pain. Take them regularly (up to the recommended daily amount) rather than just when the pain is particularly bad. This will help you to keep moving.
If the repeated forward bending stress continues, or the improper body mechanics continue, very often the inner disc material will continue to push backwards, causing the disc bulge to worsen, to herniate, progressing into the spinal canal and towards the spinal cord.
Muscle relaxers relieve pain by relaxing muscles around the spine and depressing the central nerve system. They can be prescribed for muscle spasms caused by a herniated or bulging disc.
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.
A bulging disc may have no pain at all because it has not reached a certain severity level, and this can make it difficult to identify the bulging disc symptoms before the condition becomes more severe. Most commonly, bulging discs create pressure points on nearby nerves which create a variety of sensations.
Most disc bulges resolve in 6-8 weeks, but it can take longer depending on the size of the bulge (i.e. if the bulge is hitting the nerve behind it like described above).
avoid lifting objects that are too heavy for you. remember that movements such as bending and twisting (especially at the same time) can increase pressure or load on discs. if you find that certain postures bring on your pain, you may need to address issues related to your posture while sitting, standing and walking.
Voltaren (diclofenac) "I've had a herniated disc (L1-L2) that has not healed in 8 months, I've tried chiropractic, two epidural steroid shots and physical therapy. Now that I'm taking Voltaren daily I have much less pain and inflammation, more range of motion and get so much more out of my physical therapy sessions.
The short answer: Start with ice when your back hurts after a minor injury. Cold therapy helps most right after you experience pain and up to the first 2 days. Afterward, heat will likely give you more pain relief. Plus, heat will help with stiffness and loosen up your muscles and joints.
If the C5 and C6 discs are bulging, they only cause pain about 50 percent of the time, but this condition can lead to a straightened neck; this leads to tension on the spine, known to cause numbness, pain, and tingling throughout the upper body.
The most common operation for a herniated cervical disc is called an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). This procedure involves an incision in the neck, which exposes the front of the spine. The disc is removed relieving any pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.
Physical therapy and exercises can help treat a bulging disc in the neck. This will include a mixture of gentle neck stretches and exercises to strengthen the neck and surrounding muscles. A range of other treatments, such as pain medication and surgery, are also available.
Bed rest is usually considered an efficient treatment for acute low back pain.
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.
Bulging or Herniated Discs
A pronounced force on the discs can herniate them, as well, because dehydrated discs cannot sustain impact and have reduced elasticity. Because the discs, even the outer layer, need additional water to restrengthen, the bulging can occur from lack of continuous hydration.
When a bulging or herniated disc occurs in the C5-C6 region, it can cause sharp pain that radiates from the neck to the shoulder, arms, hands, and fingers. It can also lead to muscle weakness, numbness, spasms, headaches, and neck stiffness. There may also be a cracking or popping sound when moving the neck.
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.
Though this can vary, a typical dosage is 1–2 ( 200-mg ) tablets every 4–6 hours. A person should not exceed 1,200 mg of ibuprofen per day.