Managing Back Pain from a Herniated Disc
Disc herniations are one of the most common causes of back pain. This injury often has a negative effect on a person’s functioning and quality of life. People living with back pain aren’t always aware that a herniated disc is to blame. The important thing is to see a pain management specialist, don’t ignore back pain or attempt to treat it with over-the-counter medications only.
Sometimes people avoid seeing a doctor or specialist about it because they either fear getting “bad news” or having surgery recommended to them. The truth is that most forms of back pain, including a herniated disc, can often be treated without resorting to major surgery or potentially addictive opioid pain medications.
The Best Ways to Manage Back Pain from Disc Herniation
The best approach to managing pain is to see a trusted pain management specialist, like Garden State Pain Management. Most people feel better once they realize they have options they weren’t aware of. There’s a lot more to managing back pain these days than just major surgery or powerful painkillers. Sometimes the best solution will involve simply pain management interventions.
Losing Weight
Being overweight, and especially being underconditioned, can be a major contributing factor for developing low back pain. Often a combination of things is to blame though. For example, a job that involves a lot of standing, bending or lifting, combined with obesity and advancing age, can lead to a propensity for low back pain. If you’re heavy, losing weight through exercise can provide some relief from low back pain and, combined with pain management interventions, can aid in alleviating the condition.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections are safe and effective and have been used for decades in managing back pain. Epidural steroid injections can be done at our clinic on an outpatient basis and begin working quickly. Steroids help by curtailing the proteins in the spinal nerves that cause swelling. This can often provide significant relief from the pain associated with a herniated disc.
Medications for Back Pain
Medications like NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) can be a very helpful part of a back pain management plan. When you have a herniated disc, nerves in your back become inflamed and this causes pain in your back. NSAIDs can reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Two commonly prescribed NSAIDs include Ibuprofen and naproxen.
Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy
An Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy (ELD) is a minimally invasive procedure, usually done under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a small incision (cut) and carefully removes part, or all, of the disc herniation. Minimally invasive surgical procedures use much smaller incisions and disrupt much less of the body’s tissues. This means they are performed in less time, have less risk, and have a shorter recovery times than regular surgical procedures.
How Does a Herniated Disc Happen?
A herniated disc may be caused by several different factors. As we age, the disc material breaks down naturally and the ligaments that hold it in place become weaker. Age-related degeneration is the most common cause of back pain from disc herniation. Other causes include excessive strain, sports injuries, or injuries from heavy lifting or repetitive bending or twisting. Certain jobs and sports may put people at greater risk of getting a herniated disc.
What causes a herniated disc?
- Age-related disc degeneration(most common cause)
- Work-related repetitive motion injuries.
- Injuries from heavy lifting at work or in the gym
- Sports-related injuries
What Else Should I Know About Pain from a Herniated Disc?
The good news is that we have some very effective ways of managing back pain caused by disc herniation these days. Surgery is generally the last resort if other measures are insufficient. Less serious herniated discs can even heal or recover given enough time, rest, and the right therapeutic care.
Ignoring unexplained pain in your body or trying to cover it up with pain medicine or anything else without getting it looked at is always a mistake. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. The most important thing to remember is that seeing a specialist like Dr. Koppel is the best way to get yourself on track towards feeling better.
Find Relief at Garden State Pain Management
We hope you found our article about back pain and disc herniation helpful. Garden State Pain Management is here to help you or your loved one get the upper hand on pain. Dr. Todd Koppel, MD, has been providing exceptional pain management care for patients for over 20 years. What you can expect when you come to us for pain relief is compassionate and attentive care.
Please call us at 973-473-5752 or contact us online to learn more.
You can also just text ‘APPT” to 973-473-5752, if you like.