What makes a herniated disc better

Heat helps loosen the muscle tightness that causes spasms, increases blood flow, and improves elasticity of connective tissue. See How to Apply Heat Therapy. Try several options and see what works best for you. The type of heat and how you use it is often a matter of personal preference.

While it may seem counterintuitive, staying active can provide pain relief if you have a lumbar herniated disc. When you exercise the body releases endorphins, which can naturally improve your mood 3 and reduce the perception of pain. Read more about Low-Impact Aerobic Exercise. If your pain is more severe, you may want to try a water-based activity, such as hydrotherapy.

Water-based activities are often recommended because the buoyancy of water counteracts gravity and decreases the load bearing placed on your spinal discs. Your health care provider may suggest a dedicated water physical therapy program or swimming. See Water Therapy Exercises.

Pain from a lumbar herniated disc can worsen during the night. You may find comfort sleeping in a position that relieves pressure from the spine. A couple good options include:. Your preferred sleeping position and pillow placements will likely be determined by the location of your herniated disc.

Try a few different pillow and positions to see what works best for you. For mild herniated disc pain, relieve the inflammation to decrease pain. For instance, applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area may be a good way to temporarily relieve your pain and reduce inflammation.

Take minutes twice a day to lie on your stomach with one to two pillows under your hips. Avoid wearing high heels, sleeping on your stomach and standing or sitting for long periods of time. Keep your back straight while lifting heavy objects, using knees and hips instead. Avoid repetitive bending or reaching. Also, keep focus on good posture with standing or sitting.

There are special exercises and stretches, which help relieve the pain associated with a herniated disc. Our physical therapists can train you on performing these exercises properly to reduce the pressure on the disc and reduce pressure on the spine associated with poor mobility.

As your spinal muscles become stronger, the pressure on the disc should lessen, causing the pain to ease. In most cases, seeing a physical therapist relieves the pain associated with a herniated disc and trains your body on prevention of back and neck pain in the future.

Stronger painkillers containing codeine may help for pain that's just started. But these types of painkillers can cause addiction and should only be used for a few days. Your GP will usually be able to tell if you have a slipped disc from your symptoms.

You may also have a physical examination. Your GP might ask you to raise your arms or do simple leg exercises to find out where the slipped disc is.

A GP might prescribe a stronger painkiller, a steroid injection or a muscle relaxant to use in the short term. They might also refer you to a physiotherapist. Physiotherapy from the NHS might not be available everywhere and waiting times can be long. You can also get it privately. Surgery is not usually needed, but a GP might refer to you a specialist to discuss surgery if your symptoms:. There's some evidence that manual therapies, like osteopathy, can help ease lower back pain.

Page last reviewed: 22 March Next review due: 22 March