Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Basics On Herniated Disc Pain Relief Conroe Residents Should Understand

By Scott Cox


Intervertebral disc herniation is a common problem among both men and women. It commonly results from excessive strain on the spine such as that occurring during heavy lifting or direct trauma to the back. A disc that prolapses from its natural position is likely to interfere with other structures within its vicinity (particularly nerves). Nerve compression due to prolapsed discs causes various symptoms. There are a number of herniated disc pain relief Conroe residents need to know.

There are many over the counter and prescription medications that one may consider for this problem. The commonest options is drugs that fall in the category of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs). These drugs work by relieving the pain and reducing the inflammation that characterizes the condition. Some of the drugs that may be considered here include ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. Opioids and steroidal injections are other options that may also be tried.

Physical therapies may be used in isolation or together with the drugs. They include active and passive back exercises. The active exercises are those that the subject can perform on themselves while the passive maneuvers are done by trained professionals (physiotherapists). The number of sessions needed will be determined by the response exhibited after the first few sessions. Another intervention related to this is chiropractic.

Traction is a method that is used for many problems involving the spine. In this method, the spine is subjected to a pulling force intended to restore the anatomical alignment of the vertebral bodies. The space between adjoining vertebral bodies increases and this may create room for the displaced disc. At least 20 sessions are required for meaningful improvement to be seen. There are no serous documented side effects of this method.

Surgical intervention is in most cases, a last resort. Operations that are performed in this instance are also known as decompression procedures. This is mainly because they help in relieving the pressure that the disc exerts on the other structures at the site. There are many types of these operations and the choice is determined by the nature of the prolapse, the surgical skill of the doctor as well as expected complications. Examples include osteophyte removal, laminectomy and corpectomy.

The amount of time needed for recovery after surgery is variable and depends on the exact operation that was conducted. On average, between two and six weeks are needed for the initial healing phase. Full recovery takes a couple of weeks to months. In some cases the pain may appear to worsen immediately after the operation but there is marked improvement over time. Many report a complete resolution of their symptoms after some time.

After the operation, between two and six weeks are needed for recovery. Supervised physical exercise is highly recommended during the initial few days so as to expedite the healing process. Although the pain may appear to worsen at first, it progressively abates and one will experience even more relief in subsequent weeks and months. A significant number of patients go on to lead pain free lives for a long period of time.

There are a number of treatment modalities that can be considered either singly or in combination when it comes to the management of back pain. One needs to consider the benefits and the possible risks before making a decision on what to use. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy have been associated with favorable outcomes. It is for this reason that you should see your doctor as soon as you suspect the condition.




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