Herniated Spinal Disc Diseases

In some cases, herniated disc pain can dissipate over time, particularly after the intake of pain relievers. Pain is likely to ease after three days of continuous rest. Both an ice pack and a heated bag can temporarily relieve pain.

Nerve block injections (epidurals) are steroid shots that can be injected into the spine directly. Medications of this kind can relieve swelling and inflammation around the affected region.

Surgery is required in the event the herniated disc is large enough that it leads to damage to the nerves of the bowel or bladder. Spinal decompression is a surgery done to reduce pressure on the nerve roots.

Multiple surgeries exist to alleviate pressure on the spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord, such as:

• Discectomy is a favourable procedure to remove the damaged disc, placing increased pressure on the spinal nerves.
• Laminectomy is the surgical resection of the vertebral bone (lamina) to create more room in the spinal canal. Fortunately, the procedure decreases nerve root and spinal cord pressure.
• Spinal fusion is the last stage of surgery and involves fusing the ends of the bones to stabilise and improve the sturdiness of the spine.

Prevention is often better than treatment, so it is important to maintain a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet which consists of fruit and vegetables. Patients are advised to maintain good posture, especially when sitting at the computer and are encouraged to stretch at regular intervals