Health and treatment: How to treat a slipped disc

 A slipped disc or a herniated disc can develop over time as a function of aging. This occurs when the spinal disc loses water, becomes brittle, and is displaced. When this happens, the nerves within the spinal column are subjected to significant amounts of pressure, creating sensations like pain, numbness, and muscle weakness. Here are some ways to treat a slipped disc:


Conservative treatment is a standard treatment which includes avoiding positions which put stress on the affected area. This is coupled with proper medication and exercise regimens that last anywhere from several days to weeks.

Several types of medication are prescribed depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Over-the-counter pain medication is usually prescribed for people experiencing mild pain. However, if the pain persists, stronger narcotics may be prescribed. Do take note that such medications could come with side effects such as sedation, nausea, constipation, and confusion.

In rare occasions, anticonvulsants are prescribed for people who may suffer seizures during their treatment. This is to make sure that the slipped disc isn’t subjected to further stress. For patients experiencing muscle spasms, muscle relaxers are usually prescribed.

Physical therapy is another treatment patients seek when medication fails to improve their condition. This treatment shows patients proper positions and exercises that can minimize the pain of a slipped disc.

Lastly, there’s the surgical option. It is very rare for patients who suffer from slipped disc to undergo surgery. Those who do usually treat this method as a last resort. People undergo surgery if there is already a big risk of paralysis or nerve damage.

Dr. Joseph Yazdi specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, motion preservation through total disc replacement, and chronic pain management by placement of dorsal column stimulator (DCS, or SCS)in selected patients. Over the years, he has also published several studies on neurosurgical best practice. For more updates on spine health, follow this Twitter account.

Ways to alleviate chronic back pain

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Chronic back pain is a debilitating ailment that heavily affects daily activities. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chronic back pain is responsible for 264 million lost work days in a year, and that 80 percent of the population suffers from back pain at least once in their lives. Here are some effective ways to alleviate chronic back pain.


Take prescribed pain killers from your doctor. While it’s easy to grab generic pain killers from the pharmacy, it is always better to consult your doctor about proper back pain medication. Once your doctor has examined your spine and the possible causes of chronic pain, he or she will prescribe medication to ease the pain.

Physical therapy. Consulting a physical therapist will educate you on proper posture and keeping your spine in proper shape to lessen back pain. Therapists will teach you how to sit, stand, and move in ways that will nurture the spine and spare it from stress. Physical therapy also helps patients strengthen the core and improve flexibility, two of the main bodily functions easing back pain.

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Constantly stretch and consider workspace ergonomics. Avoid sitting slumped on your desk, especially if you are working for long stretches of hours daily. Most people bend forward while working, which can cause serious back ailments. If you can, walk around and stretch every hour for an improved blood circulation and invest in a working chair that will keep your spine comfortable.

Dr. Joseph Yazdi specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques, motion preservation through total disc replacement, and chronic pain management by placement of dorsal column stimulator (DCS, or SCS) in selected patients. For more articles like this, visit this page.