What Is the Quickest Way to Heal a Herniated Disc?

Your spine is made up of 33 stacked bones called vertebrae. Rubbery cushions known as discs support them and absorb shock as you move. When the gel-like center of one of these discs pushes through its exterior, the disc has herniated.

About 2% of adults in the United States experience disc herniation each year, making it a prevalent problem. Thankfully, effective treatment can make way for relief. While there’s no instant fix or sure way to resolve disc herniation quickly, you can take steps to turn your symptoms around and prevent complications.

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill offer advanced and minimally invasive treatments for disc herniation.

Let’s explore this common condition, including ways to ensure efficient healing.

Disc herniation 101

Anyone can develop disc herniation, but your risk is heightened if you’re male or middle aged. Other factors that may contribute include carrying excess pounds, smoking, and having a job that requires frequent heavy lifting, bending, or twisting. Disc herniation can also stem from sitting for lengthy periods, such as during long drives or flights.

While it’s usually difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a herniated disc, spinal wear-and-tear brought on by the natural aging process can play a role, too. If you’re in your 50s, for example, and take a lengthy international flight, you’re more likely to herniate a disc compared to someone in their 20s on the same plane.

Common herniated disc symptoms include arm or leg pain, back pain, radiating numbness in your limbs, nerve pain, and muscle weakness. The location of your symptoms depends on the location of the disc and the nerve that’s affected.

Herniated disc treatments

Most herniated disc symptoms resolve within 2-12 weeks with conservative care, such as rest, hot pad or cold pack therapy, and over-the-counter pain medication. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few weeks or intensify, it’s time to seek medical treatment.

Depending on the specifics of your condition, our team may recommend:

Epidural injections
Oral pain medication
Minimally invasive surgery
Lifestyle changes, such as altered sleep positions

Minimally invasive disc herniation surgery takes only 30 minutes to complete and requires a very small (less than a half-inch) incision. Through the incision, our surgical team typically removes only the protruding part of the disc. Most patients can go about their usual activities the next day. With an over 80% success rate for alleviating herniated disc symptoms, you can expect to feel much better quickly.

To learn more about herniated disc treatment or to get started with the care you need, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.