Finding out you have a herniated disc can feel alarming, especially when you’re sitting in a doctor’s office holding an MRI report. Most patients assume surgery is the next step. In nearly 30 years of treating herniated discs, Dr. Koppel finds that assumption wrong more than 95 percent of the time.
“A herniated disc diagnosis can feel ominous, requiring a long and involved treatment process.. Patients often walk into my office certain that surgery is around the corner. What I tell them, and what I mean, is that surgery is rarely necessary. The key is identifying exactly which disc is causing symptoms, which nerve is being compressed, and choosing the right targeted treatment for that specific situation.”
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Each spinal disc acts as a shock absorber between vertebrae, tough on the outside, gel-like on the inside. A herniated disc (also called a slipped disc or ruptured disc) happens when the inner material pushes through a tear in the outer layer and presses against the nearby nerve roots.
In the lower back, this typically causes sciatica, the shooting pain down the leg most people recognize. In the neck, a herniated disc pressing on a nerve root causes pain, numbness, or tingling in the arm and hand.
Symptoms by Location
Lower Back Herniated Disc
- Dull or sharp lower back pain, often worse with sitting or bending forward
- Shooting pain down one leg into the calf or foot
- Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes
- Weakness in the leg or foot
Neck Herniated Disc
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Pain shooting from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand
- Numbness or tingling in the arm or fingers
- Weakness when gripping or lifting
Can a Herniated Disc Heal Without Treatment?
Some can, particularly smaller herniations in younger patients, where the body gradually reabsorbs the disc material over several weeks. But many do not resolve without treatment, especially when the compression is significant.
There’s also a practical concern of nerve compression that goes untreated can lead to progressive weakness and longer recovery times. Earlier treatment consistently leads to better outcomes.
Herniated Disc Treatment Options
Epidural Steroid Injections
The cornerstone of non-surgical herniated disc care involves epidural steroid injections. A precisely placed injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly around the compressed nerve root. Most patients notice significant improvement within a few days.
Lumbar or Cervical Injection Therapy
Targeted injection therapy addresses the specific nerve root being compressed, guided by imaging for precise placement.
Minimally Invasive Discectomy
For herniations not responding sufficiently to injections, a minimally invasive discectomy procedure removes or reduces the disc material pressing on the nerve through a needle-sized access point, without an open incision. Most patients get to go home the same day.
PRP and Regenerative Therapy
In selected patients with disc tears or early degeneration, PRP can promote healing of the disc tissue itself, reducing pain and slowing progression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Find Relief?
Don’t let facet joint pain dictate your life. At Garden State Pain Management, Dr. Todd Koppel uses advanced, minimally invasive techniques to target the source of your neck or back pain, not just the symptoms. Whether you’ve been managing chronic stiffness for months or were recently injured, relief may be closer than you think. Patients across New Jersey trust Dr. Koppel for his precision, personalized approach, and proven results. Call (973) 473-5752 today, or book your appointment online at our Clifton or Elizabeth location.
