i have a slipped disc and it's painful . what's the best treatment. i use lumbar corsett. not much help though
548844
Have you contacted a doctor yet? How long has this been going on? There are many non-invasive treatments now available. \nTry using ice packs and heat pad alternately, 20 minutes each. The ice will numb the pain and the heat will relax the muscles. Also, Arnica massage oil used on the location will help ease the pain. Keep moving! Bed rest is good but not all day. However do not try lifting or reaching. Gentle stretches would be best. Also listen to soothing music while stretching, and visualize your back being in perfect condition, the disc slipping back into place smoothly and gently.\n\nHope this helps! with blessings
150498
Shiatsu is worth a try.  The treatment also depends on the type of back pain you have.  If it's a muscular pain, a good massage will help.\n\nIf it's a spinal or disc issue, chiropractic treatment might be better.
301241
I have mild scoliosis along with a herniated disc in my lower back.  I've only had one bout of very severe pain and it lasted about 4 months.  It was so bad it kept me awake at night and I walked with a limp and I thought I was going to have to have surgery but I really wanted to avoid that.  I went to a chiropractor and he did help the limp but the pain only got worse.  What finally helped me get rid of the pain was when my doctor prescribed a round of Prednisone to help with the inflammation.  It finally eased the pain enough that I could get some sleep.  After I finished the Prednisone and was enough better that I could at least function, he sent me to a Physical Therapist to learn some helpful exercises.  I had to do them every day but the improvement in the pain was definitely enough to keep me doing the exercises.  The next step for me was weigh loss. I lost 115 pounds and started doing all kinds of different exercises from aerobics, to running, to weight lifting.  I have been completely pain free for over almost a year and a half now and I managed to avoid surgery.  Good luck with your pain, I know it's excruciating and miserable to have to live with back pain.  I hope you get it resovled soon.
714561
i am a chiropractor and specialize in spine related injuries. the disc acts as both a cushion and a spacer between each vertebrae. if a disc is bulging/herniated, that bulge can put pressure on the nerves exiting between each vertebra which causes a "pinched nerve." also if the disc is wearing out (getting thinner) you lose the space between the vertebra, which leaves less room for those nerves to exit--and again can pinch a nerve. the nerves in your cervical spine (neck) go all the way down your arm while the nerves in your lumbar spine (low back) form the sciatic nerve which runs all the way down your leg. if any of these are "pinched" they can cause pain, numbess, tingling, weakness wherever these nerves go (down arms/legs).\n\nas a chiropractor i see this type of scenario on a daily basis. for those who have degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, disc bulging, etc.--normal chiropractic care can usually help with those problems. but there are also many people out there that have had this problem for many years and can't find relief with anything they try--including chiropractic. \n\nbut now there is a treatment that is perfect for your situation and the best part is: it's non-surgical and non-invasive. if you haven't heard of it yet it is called spinal decompression. this type of treatment focuses on disc injuries and the problems they cause. i use the DRX9000 spinal decompression system in my office and it works wonders for people with these types of injuries (approx. 90% successful). the DRX9000 is fda approved and is the best decompression system available (there are cheap knock-offs that don't give the same results). \n\nmy recommendation would be to see a chiro, especially if you've never tried it before-just to see what they have to say. also do some research on this treatment and then contact someone (usually a chiro) who uses it in their office. i would just google "DRX9000" to find info on it and doctors in your area who may have it. this treament is able to encourage the disc to go back to it's normal orientation and also rebuild its height--which then takes the pressure off whatever nerve it is compressing. pain meds, cortisone shots, epidurals won't do anything to solve the problem--all they do is cover it up and they become less and less effective over time. surgery AT BEST is 50% successful and usually doesn't solve the problem since most people need another surgery 5-10 years down the road for the same issue. it's typically a viscious cycle. remember: surgery is always an option, so try something prior to surgery to see if you can avoid it--cause once you do the surgery there is no going back.\n\nthis treatment is extremely effective for degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, herniation, etc. and also sciatica type of cases, especially if you haven't had surgery yet. i've had many patients who were scheduled for surgery, tried this treatment as a last resort, and then ended up cancelling their surgery altogether after treatment was completed. it really does work and that's what my recommendation would be for you. good luck and hopefully this gives insight to others experiencing similar problems--there is a solution!!!
634808
It could be anything really. Your posture. A trapped nerve. A damaged disc. \n\nHave you tried sleeping with lots of cushions to support your legs?  eg making sure you are totally relaxed and supporting any areas that feel not so comfortable? A small cushion in the base of your neck? A couple under your knees to make sure your knees dont lock in the night putting prerssure on your spine?\n\nExperiment with it and see what works.  My friend props herself on her side in the recovery position and places a cushion behind her back so she doesnt roll over, and one inbetween her knees as she doesnt like the feeling of bone on bone. Her back pain has been tons better jsut lately due to this.
998501
Please go and see a physio they will firstly listen to the cause of injury then massage area with a clear gell substance and a heated wand this is very relaxing and loosens those torn and inflamed muscles and tendons this goes on for about 20 - 30 minutes then they will gently click your spine back inplace.\n\nYou will feel like your back to normal when you walk out of the physio but you will have to take it easy and go back for the very same treatment, it is comfortable, relaxation, and painfree and there is no risk they are professionals and will tell what to do and what not to do.  All the very Best.\n\nSome physio's bulk-bill others you have to pay but can get some money back from medicare, or personal health care agent and health care card.
602706
Massage and yoga. Both are extremely effective. I have friends that have tried and they had scoliosis before. It is perfect now. Perfect back. I STRONGLY recommend it
690054
ARNICA 200 & RHUS TOX 200 three drops each will relieve your pain and will cure your tailbone injury maybe after these two you will need another remedy or two but these two will relieve your discomfitrure almost immediatly and without any complications and side effects !Both are Homeopathic Remedies and I myself cured my own back injury with these two in three days :-) .\nFeel freee to email me if you need any further help and keep me posted about your progress.\nTake Care and God Bless
701027
I also have ddd, cervical (neck), had surgery, fusion, metal plate & screws.   2 years later, 3 more herniated discs and have read, searched, asked, etc. for a solution.  I know, it's a miserable condition.  Google degenerative disc disease or herniated discs.  Some material says they may heal on their own (not my experience), but something I was informed about through this site but haven't tried is papaya injections. No, not making it up.  Also, google laser spine institute where you will find animated info that clearly demonstrates and explains what happens to the nerves, spinal chord and spine.  Good luck, I really feel for you.
571284
You have my sympathy..back problems are so debilitating,I know,having suffered for many years,ranging from Sciatica to a Prolapsed Disc.\nMy advise to you would be,plenty of rest with a cold compress on the affected area,pain-relief and anti-inflammatory and a cream/ointment designed for muscle strain etc.\nMaybe you could ask someone to massage some Tea Tree and Lavender blended with a good carrier oil such as,Almond,into the lower back using as much pressure as is comfortable for you.\nIf any of the above don't improve your condition then I suggest you visit a Chiropractor or see your GP and ask for an x-ray just to rule out anything more serious such as disc problems or trapped nerves.\nI wish you a speedy recovery and hope you are feeling better very soon.
655
My sister had a herniated disc and had 2 surgeries on her lower back. Not sure which disc, but she is still in a pain.  Not a lot, but constant, and she can't do things that agitated it for very long...like ride in a bumpy car, walk around the mall, etc.
1091413
Depends if the bulging discs are causing pain and other symptoms.  60% of the population are walking around with bulging dicsc without any symptoms.  If you start to get pain, loss of control of your arm, arm weakness, numbness or tingling, then you have problems.\n\nAs a physical therapist who treats spine problems, I would say the most powerful technique is called the McKenzie Method.  If you go to www.mckenziemdt.org you can look up where your nearest therapist is.  They will teach you how to look after your neck symptoms yourself, and for the majority of the time, without using any equipment.  This technique is very well researched and works so much better than adjustments.  I'm not saying adjustments are bad, just that you can become reliant upon them.\n\nThe disc an bulge in different directions.  If I told you the exercises and you did the wrong/irrelevant ones, it would actually make you worse!  That is why it is important to get an evaulation to determine what is going on.\n\n\nIn the meantime, try and keep good posture.  Don't let your head stick out - try and keep your ear inline with your shoulder.  See your doctor and get a referal to a good physical therapist.
505898
I am going to a chriopractor and love him.  Check around and find one highly recommended.  I also have had two back surgeries. I take neurotin for the jumpy nerves in my legs and percocet for pain.  The pharmacist told me there is nothing formulated for fibro. pain, but this helps a little. I am a firm believer that your spine must be aligned.  It may not give you total relief ((nothing will) but it sure has helped me a lot and it is relatively cheap in the medical field.   Remember ask around and get one highly recommended, don't just pick one out of the phone book.  Good Luck two year sufferer
172537
Basical everyones answer was that Chiropractic services is quick and solves the problem... well the person who spoke of migrains as the problem then lets tackle that first. In physical therapy you will do exercises that won't solve the problem short term but will prevent it in the future, you are doing work to train the muscles around your spine that support it to work better and be less lazy. This way they will hold those vertebrea in place so they don't move out of alignment and compress a nerve. Also some physical therapists know more then others and can do adjustments... the difference? They only do adjustments to one segment of the spine so a perticular vertebrea as opposed to a chriopractic who adjusts not only just the one out of alignment but the ones around it. At physical therapy you can have traction to the spine which you don't really get in a chriopractic setting. You will be put on a mechine that applies weight to your lower back helping to releive tension there and for herniated discs this works extreamly well (if you have a smart therapist that places the traction belt securly and tightly to the waist instead of over a hot pack for example) also stim can help ease pain for short term and somtimes you can rent a stim unit to take home if the pain is extream. Like I said you will be retraining your muscles to supply more support to your spine and this helps more then anything because it helps prevent future injury... you will most likely use a stability ball and ab work for low back, neck streaching for headachs. They will also massage the area to help releave pain. The benifits are very different and if you have a herniated disk  you should probably utilize both or more the Physical therapy clinic, they have lots of ways to help that type of problem.\n\nThe degrees and area of study for both are very different also. PTs offten use lots of different types of devices to help, hot whirlpool, hot pack, traction, stim, ultrasound, exercise, streaching, massagem, and much more. \n\nIf your insurance doesn't cover it you might have some options just call a couple places and ask what they charge, some are 12 dollars a visit. Also you should be sure that your insurance doesn't most will now and if you have a note from your dr explaining the importance of it then you can send it to your insurance and argue that you need it. I once knew someone who had breast reduction surgery and the insurance didn't cover it but was able to make them pay all her bills because the dr insisted she needed it.
1174
The initial treatment for a herniated disc is usually conservative and nonsurgical. Your doctor may prescribe bed rest, or advise you to maintain a low, painless activity level for a few days to several weeks. This helps the spinal nerve inflammation to decrease.  herniated disc is frequently treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication if the pain is only mild to moderate. An epidural steroid injection may be performed utilizing a spinal needle under x-ray guidance to direct the medication to the exact level of the disc herniation. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Therapy may include pelvic traction, gentle massage, ice and heat therapy, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, and stretching exercises. Pain medication and muscle relaxants may also be beneficial in conjunction with the physical therapy. If these conservative measures do not help, then usually surgery is indicated.
860610
Don't fool yourself....you're talking about being pain free with herniated discs. No way is that a possibility.\nBack and/or neck surgery is a tricky option.  It could correct it for a while or it could make it worse.  You mentioned that you have a degenerative problem.  Well, there you go.  This is a widespread problem in your body.  One surgery is not going to cure or heal it.  It will most likely come back and as you age it will get worse.\nI know quite a few people that had the operation you are talking about and after a couple of years they were right back where they started.  If you can, hold off for as long as you can with the surgery.  Research other options and try other avenues of pain relief.
435775
I have bad lower back pain, too.  A chiropractor is the best treatment for that, if you have time to go.  I take advil every four hours and that helps and resting on a heating pad.  My doctor also says to put a pillow under my legs when I'm laying down.  There are exercises to do but you would have to go for physical therapy to learn the best way to do them.  Years ago my doctor referred me to "Back School".  It's only a temporary help.  A chiropractor has a massaging machine that massages your back with heat.  It's great.