Treatment for herniated disc

DH has it..he's getting another opinion.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I had/have one in my lower back between the L5 and S1 discs. I had one doctor scheduling me for surgery, my second opinion doc had me do 2 weeks of complete bed rest and a tapered dose of steroids (decadron).

It's been 10 years and haven't had an issue with it. Being off it and the steroids to reduce the inflamation worked.

Message edited 2/18/2010 3:37:43 PM.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Shots or cortisone
Massage
chiropractor
Surgery

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

He's getting a shot next week. I hope it works.

I asked him to go to the Chiro but he is not convinced.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

My husband went for 3 rounds of shots and has had excellent success with them.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I have FIVE, count 'e FIVE herniations. I've been through chiro, PT, accupuncture, triger point injections w/ mixed results. The next step would be spidurals, but I had some trigger point cortisone shots and had a VERY bad reaction so I am kind of reluctant.

Since I have so many, it would be tough to know where to start...

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I've suffered from disc herniations since I was about 20 years old. I used to see an AMAZING chiropractor in Farmingdale who kept my back healthy and in shape for about 6 years. When I moved to NC, I finally injured that same disc so severely that I needed surgery to fix it.

Has he done the steroid course yet? That helped me a few times.

If you are near Farmingdale and are interested in having him see someone, I can give you a 110% recommendation. I begged him to move to NC with me

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I have problems with L4/L5, this year I have had two "flare ups" this year and its been agony. I don't take any painkillers, but I see a Physiotherapist on a regular basis when I am in pain, I also do the Alexander Technique and use a TENS machine to help with pain, I sometimes take co-codamol when the pain is bad. My Physio also tapes me up so my movement is limited, bedrest and exercise is the best therapy for me. Good luck to him!

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Just wanted to add that physical therapy and a chiropractor actually made my back worse.... so go slow with any approach!

Hope he feels better!

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I have two herniated discs and three bulging discs. My dr told me to do physical therapy first and then if it didnt help, I would have to go for surgery. Since I didnt want to do surgery at all (had many people in his waiting room say how bad the surgery was and how they wish they never went through it...this was also like 7-8 yrs ago) I tried every avenue until I got relief.

I have done physical therapy, epidural injections, lost weight, work out my stomach and back muscles to keep the spine tight, and it helps out alot. I go to the gym and keep active which I swear helps out tremendously! I also see a chiropractor a few times a month.

I have a great back doctor in Garden City, and I believe he has an office in Bohemia too. If you want his number, FM me.

Hope he gets some sort of relief!

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

My husband did everything under the sun. Therapy, shots, etc. His disk was 2CM's herniated. He had surgery and has been SO much better. His surgery was over a year ago.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I had one between C5 and C6.. it came out of nowhere and hurt like heck. Before they diagnosed it (they assumed cervical ridiculopathy) they had me on Ultram and Vicodin - and had me visit a PT. The PT refused to work on me and when I went to my regular doc he ordered an MRI and diagnosed the herniation. They gave me steroids which offered moderate relief (more than the narcotics). I was only on them for a few days because they'd scheduled an emergency surgery. IMMEDIATELY after surgery I felt 1000% better.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

There are so many different treatments and everyone is so different in terms of pain. I see the worst of it in my work b/c I see the people who either have disabling back pain or have back pain plus other medical problems that add up to disability. I have several problems with my neck, including herniations and a genetic condition. I find a combination of chiropractic and massage therapy to really help. I found that physical therapy was great only if I could get to it 3-4 times a week, which can be so difficult.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

chiropractic 100%

PT can help but they are not the 1st choice for spine problems

injections can help but some people it just covers the pain and doesnt fix the disc and maybe very temporary

surgery should always be your last resort

hope he feels better soon

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Right now he's just whining...does that help?

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

DH has 2 herniated discs in his back from playing basketball and car accident. He would throw out his back a few times a year but those episodes have stopped when he started seeing chiropractor 3 times a month. A lot of people don't really respect or see a purpose in chiropractic medicine but for DH, he has been doing well for the past 3 years so far. It really depends on the severity of your DH's herniation.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

FM me with any questions.
I had a microdiscectomy like 6 yrs ago and it was feeling a 10000000000x better when I woke up in recovery.

I had it done @ Winthrop and I was on vacation 10 days later.

Minimally invasive and just 1 night in the hospital. I stay away from running.

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

Re: Treatment for herniated disc

I've had trigger point shots, physical therapy, massages, and chiropractor. Nothing is working anymore. Today, I bought curamin from my health store, I've heard good things about it, so I hope it helps.