The two most common ways that a disc can become herniated is the natural degeneration of the disc or through trauma. Sometimes, a herniated disc goes unnoticed as it can cause few to no symptoms. Other times, patients will not have symptoms in their neck or lower back but rather in their shoulders, hands, legs or feet, which will lead them to seek treatment related to the extremities. Finding yourself with a herniated disc does not mean you have to have a surgical procedure. For those with a herniated disc in the neck or lower back, there are several non-surgical options available.

Medication.

When it comes to relieving mild to moderate pain, several different medications can help. There are also a variety of medications that a physician can prescribe to you that are stronger such as muscle relaxants or steroids. Remember, over-the-counter medications only mask the pain from your herniated discs, so it is important to consult with your physician to fully relieve your discomfort. You should also read the medication label and speak with a pharmacist to determine if it is safe to take anti-inflammatories.

Injections.

If there is little to no improvement from oral medications, a physician might recommend cortisone injections as an alternative solution. A Corticosteroid injection can reduce inflammation around an irritated nerve, but it will not reduce the actual size of the herniated disc. The injected medications may include steroids, local anesthetics or saline. The goal of an injection is to numb the irritated nerves which will ultimately relieve the pain symptoms. Injections go straight to the area of injury to deliver the pain-reducing medication to your spine.

Physical Therapy.

Physical therapy may be able to combat some of the painful symptoms associated with a herniated disc. With this injury, a Physical Therapist will utilize exercises that attempt to relieve pressure on the compressed nerves. Another target exercise is core stabilization which in turn helps with spine stabilization. Other practices such as stretching and manual work also might be used to benefit your flexibility. When working with a physician on your herniated disc, your physical therapist will work in conjunction with them to give you the most successful recovery.

When you have a herniated disc, you will want to control your pain management to the best of your ability. These tips may not work for everyone, but in the meantime can be useful to some.

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Keep reading to gain a better understanding of back strains, the causes, symptoms you’ll experience, and how to find relief.

Causes

A back strain is an injury to the muscles or tendons that support the spine typically caused by a twist, pull, or tear. This injury is common among athletes, especially those involved in sports that require them to twist, make jarring movements, or endure forces of sudden impact. Lifting can also be the cause of a strain from overstressing the back muscles, as well as overuse due to repetitive movements.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a back strain include pain that worsens with movement, sudden muscle spasms or cramping, and limited motion such as the inability to bend. In some cases, a pop or tear may be heard when the injury occurs.

Diagnosis

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. He or she will review your medical history, cause of injury, consider your symptoms, and perform a physical examination. These methods will allow a physician to diagnose a mild strain, but painful and severe strains may need X-rays to rule out more serious injuries.

Treatment

First and foremost, treatment of a strain requires rest for a minimum of 24-48 hours. Then, you’ll be advised to apply ice to reduce swelling, or use over-the-counter drugs like Motrin to treat inflammation and pain. Applying pressure through the compression of an ACE bandage can also help relieve pain. After using these treatment methods, the strain should improve in about two weeks. If symptoms continue, the issue may be more severe than a strain and further examination will be necessary.

Prevention

While some injuries can’t be prevented, there are measures you can take to help lower the risk of suffering a back strain.

• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts additional stress on the muscles and tendons of the lower back which could result in a strain or make a strain more likely to occur.
• Perform at least thirty minutes of exercise daily, including light cardio and stretching. This will keep your muscles healthy and your joints flexible.
• Lift with your legs instead of your back. Perform proper lifting practices that take the pressure off of your back so that injury doesn’t occur.

In order to get pain relief as soon as it begins, it’s important to understand how and why back strains occur, the symptoms they cause, and the treatment options available to you. It’s crucial that you contact your physician at the very first sign of a back strain in order to prevent more severe pain in the future.

For more information about treating pain and injury to the spine and back, download our e-book, The Patient’s Manual to Spine and Back Surgery. This educational guide will provide you with all you need to know about dealing with back pain.

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