Medical Remedies for Back & Disc Pain

Back and disc pain can be caused by a number of conditions. The doctor will have to examine you to determine the cause of your back pain. Surgery, pain medications or physical therapy are some of the medical treatments that are used for back pain and disc problems. Back surgery is only used in severe cases of back pain caused by a ruptured disc or degenerative disc disease.

Pain Relief

Pain medication is available over the counter and with a doctor’s prescription. Discuss the pain medication that you will use with your doctor to find an appropriate pain management plan. Heat and massage therapy are other avenues to explore for your back pain.

Heat therapy helps back pain caused by muscle strains by dilating the blood vessels in the area. This increases circulation in the muscles and helps the strained back feel better. Therapeutic massage also improves circulation to sore muscles in the back. These treatments will not help the pain of disc conditions, but they can be beneficial for back strain pain.

Physical Therapy

Discuss physical therapy exercises with your doctor to relieve the pain of a herniated disc or other back problems. Hot and ice packs are traditionally used for patients with disc injuries, but some doctors recommend the use of stabilization exercises to avoid surgery. These exercises increase the strength in the muscles around the problem disc and prevent further injury.

Use stretching exercises to increase your range of motion during a muscle strain. A physical therapist can show you the proper way to stretch your back muscles and relieve pain. Include stretching, strengthening and aerobic activity in your exercise regimen to improve the condition of your back and relieve pain.

Surgery

Several surgical procedures are available to handle back pain. Surgery is usually a last resort to back pain and disc problems. Your disorder or disc problem may be a degenerative or progressive disorder. Surgery can remove a part of the herniated disc that is causing pain and irritation of the nerves. Fusion surgery can be used to make the spine stable or to reduce the irritation caused by a degenerated disc.

Surgery is a good option if you have explored other methods to treat your pain and back problems. Doctors may require you to try other therapies first before turning to surgery to correct the problem. Discuss your back pain with the doctor to determine if surgery is the right choice for you.