Therefore, vitamin D, through its immunoregulatory properties, affects another important cell population that is inflamed in disc herniation, either through suppressing neurotoxic agents or by its action on neurotrophins.
Vitamin C can boost your immune system as well as reduce pain. Additionally, vitamin C increases collagen production, which is critical for strong ligaments. It is important to use herniated-disc medication in conjunction with other therapies such as massage and chiropractic care.
The best way to foster healing in these cases is to rest, avoid activities that cause pain, and take over-the-counter pain killers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve symptoms. During your home treatment, you can also: Alternate applying heat and cold. Stay as active as you can.
The MRI's of these patients were read and compared with the 384 disks of patients with normal vitamin D levels, The 162 disks of vitamin D-deficient patients were more frequently herniated (40% versus 27%, p = 0.004). On further analysis, the deficiency was associated with increased number of herniations per patient.
Therapy may include massage, heat and cold therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching. Following a regimen by your therapist which includes exercising 30–45 minutes a day, helps you to manage herniated disc pain relief at home.
Patients after surgery for herniated disc should eat foods rich in Omega-3 such as salmon, walnuts, pumpkin, cauliflower,...; Foods rich in fiber: Fiber helps the digestive system work stably, control weight and reduce pressure on the spine.
Non-surgical Treatments for Herniated Discs
Other non-surgical treatments for a herniated disc include: Cortisone injections are injected into the area around the spinal nerves. Muscle relaxers to relieve spasms. Physical therapy in the form of stretches and exercises designed to minimize pain.
For example, supplements for degenerative disc disease, like a herniated disc, include glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, manganese ascorbate and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Vitamins frequently recommended for a herniated disc are: Vitamin C – boosts the immune system and acts as an anti-inflammatory.
Skip movements that involve significant axial loading on the lower back, such as squats and leg presses. Avoid toe-touches, sit-ups, and yoga poses that worsen the pain and lead to significant bending of the back.
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.
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.
You may continue to experience pain for many reasons. Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
Results: Spontaneous resorption of herniated disk was found in all patients in a mean time of 8.7 ± 3.2 months.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C, like vitamin D, is an essential vitamin that plays a huge role in immunity and inflammation. It's a powerful antioxidant, so it can reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals that cause oxidative damage to your cells ( 55 ).
Glial cells have glutamate receptors that are important in the process of nociception [220–224]. Therefore, vitamin D, through its immunoregulatory properties, affects another important cell population that is inflamed in disc herniation, either through suppressing neurotoxic agents or by its action on neurotrophins.
The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.
In addition to helping with the absorption of calcium, vitamin D keeps your spine healthy by maintaining bone strength. It also helps strengthen the immune system, which benefits your spine by reducing issues with inflammation. Dietary sources of vitamin D include: Milk and eggs.
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.
Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).
Turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant capable of improving our immune system response. It's important to note; that curcumin will not repair herniated discs, sciatica, or physical problems with the spine. But, it may reduce inflammation, improve oxygen and nutrient flow, and promote the healing process.
Yes, drinking water can help prevent degenerative disc disease. If you do not drink enough water, your spinal discs will not adequately rehydrate after water leaks out during the day. This means the discs become smaller and less functional, which increases the risk of injury to the collagen fibers in the disc.
There are nutritional supplements that can help you decrease inflammation in the body. For example, one herb called turmeric with its active ingredient called curcumin has been shown to decrease inflammation. Another herb called cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) also has this same property.
“There are some types of back pain that can get worse when you get a massage,” says Walsh. Specifically, he says, sciatica (sudden-onset pain that extends down the back and into the butt or legs) stemming from a herniated disc can be aggravated by deep tissue stimulation.
Stretching is actually one of the best ways to minimize and prevent ongoing leg pain from a herniated disc. Hamstring stretching can help decrease the tension across your lower back, and this provides the herniated disc with a better environment to heal.
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.