How to treat a herniated disc: What you can do at home & how PT can help

Although the spine may act as one complete support structure for your body, it’s made up of five different regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. There are 23 vertebral discs distributed throughout the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. These discs absorb the pressure between the vertebrae to prevent them from rubbing against each other. But what happens when one of the discs slips out of place?

Herniated discs are common, with studies showing that for every 1,000 adult patients, between 5 and 20 experience a slipped disc in any given year.

Learn about the basics of a herniated disc, how you can treat it at home and physical therapy methods that can alleviate the symptoms.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc, sometimes referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when a piece of the nucleus is pushed out through a tear in the annulus, which is the exterior of the disc. It often occurs when you put excessive strain on your back. 

A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it’s most common in the lumbar spine, which refers to your lower back. A slipped disc can also occur in the neck.

Symptoms of a herniated disc

With so many different possible back issues, from muscle strains to scoliosis, it’s important to know if your issues are a sign of a herniated disc. A herniated disc usually affects one side of the body.

Common symptoms of a herniated disc include:

• Pain in back, arm, thigh, buttocks and/or calf.
• Tingling or numbness.
• Muscle weakness.

A herniated disc can make it difficult to carry out your everyday activities due to weakness and possible long-term chronic pain if it goes untreated.

3 at-home treatment options for a herniated disc

The good news is that most herniated discs can heal without surgery, and there are ways to help with your recovery. There are many treatment options for alleviating the symptoms of a herniated disc, many of which are easy and can be done from the comfort of your home. 

A few at-home treatment options for a herniated disc include:

1. Over-the-counter pain medication — Doctors will often recommend nonprescription medicine like acetaminophen, naproxen sodium or ibuprofen to temporarily relieve pain from a herniated disc.
2. Cold and heat therapy — Ice packs and heated compresses are well-known treatment options for a reason. Apply ice packs to the area of your back that’s in pain to numb the area and reduce inflammation. Alternate the ice with a heating compress to increase the blood flow.
3. Avoiding excessive rest — While rest is integral to many injuries, a herniated disc isn’t one of them. Lying in bed for too long with a herniated disc can cause stiff joints and weakened muscles. It’s important to move your body. Try to only rest during the day for 30-minute increments.

4 physical therapy methods that can treat a herniated disc

Physical therapy is one of the best ways to treat a variety of back issues, including a herniated disc. It can help with pain management as well as prevent another herniated disc in the future. 

A physical therapist may use several methods for treating a herniated disc, including:

1. Manual therapy — A physical therapist can use their hands for a variety of techniques that can reduce the pressure on your spinal nerves and decrease the inflammation caused by a herniated disc. Manual therapy techniques like joint mobilization and soft tissue mobilization can release the tension that’s trapped in the muscles surrounding your spine.
2. Myokinesthetic therapy — As pressure on the spinal nerves are the cause of your herniated disc pain, it’s important to use a therapy technique that focuses on the nervous system. Myokinesthetic therapy targets specific areas of the body that are in pain, such as the lower back. It involves applying pressure in order to stimulate muscles and increase mobility.
3. Therapeutic exercises — Proper exercises and stretches are crucial to alleviating pain from a herniated disc. They can help ease the disc’s pressure on your spinal nerve. It’s also important to strengthen your hamstring muscles so that they can properly support your back.
4. Dry needling — This type of therapy refers to the use of thin needles on the skin. The needles loosen muscles around spinal nerves by stimulating contractions. Dry needling helps to release the tension that’s causing the pain, improving mobility.

Alliance PTP is ready to help you find top-notch PT treatment for a herniated disc

At Alliance Physical Therapy Partners, we’re proudly bringing together physical therapy practices across the country to help people get the high-quality PT they need. 

Want to see a physical therapist in person? We can put you in touch with an Alliance PTP partner that’s close to you and that can treat your herniated disc. 

Not keen on in-person PT sessions or not close to an Alliance PTP partner? No worries. We also offer effective and affordable virtual physical therapy through our Agile Virtual Physical Therapy platform. 

Come find help for your injury or chronic condition today!