How to Cope With a Slipped Disk

A slipped disk can be an extremely painful condition as its sufferers will know – it has more treatment options now.

More than 60 to 75 percent people suffer from back pain of one kind or the other. Everybody does not have a slipped disc. But back ache can sometimes become a chronic condition. And a slipped disk is one of reasons of back pain which is persistent.

What is a slipped disk?

The length of the spine is made up of small bones called vertebrae. In between the bones are spinal discs which are made up of tough fibrous tissue which is filled with a jellylike substance to offer a cushioning effect, so that the spine is flexible.

A slipped disk, also called a herniated disk or prolapsed disk, may rupture and the jelly leaks out. This can put pressure on the spinal cord or pinch one or more nerves which can often cause excruciating pain on whichever parts of the body the nerve/s control.

Causes

Sometimes a slipped disk happens with age and when the body is not as flexible as it used to be and you do something you should not as pick up something very heavy, move some heavy furniture or reach up for something, you can suffer from a slipped disk. Occasionally it happens slowly and gradually with age. But it can happen in younger people as well. Trauma or accidents can also result in one or more slipped disks.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

If you have back ache or neck ache – and a slipped disk can even happen in the neck – which get worse and is severe, if you have pain which radiates maybe into your buttocks, legs or other parts, if movement is difficult it is better to go to a doctor to get a diagnosis. If your condition is accompanied by fever and incontinence, numbness and/or tingling of the extremities then it is better to seek emergency help.

The doctor will carry out a physical examination to see if it is indeed a slipped disk. He may advise X-rays which will rule out any other bone disorder. An MRI will give a clearer picture of what exactly is wrong. Once it is confirmed that you have a slipped disk, the doctor can offer you a range of treatments.

Treatment

Usually, unless there are other complications, the doctor usually advised conservative treatment. This means some amount of rest, no straining, bending or stretching, sleeping or resting on a hard mattress of floor. Pain medications, depending on the severity of the pain, neuropathic pain medications which help with nerve pain, muscle relaxants and steroids in the oral or injectable forms may be advised in various combinations. Sometimes traction may help, sometimes a spine brace may be recommended.

Apart from these which will be given in the initial stages, you may be recommended physiotherapy in terms of TENS (Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), alternating heat and cold packs, ultrasound and others. Later you will be advised various forms of stretching exercises to help control the pain, dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises and aerobic and water exercises.

Then there are alternative remedies like spinal decompression techniques, acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic, homeopathy, ayurveda and various back treatments which may or may not work.

Surgery is usually the last resort. disketomy removes part of the disk which is putting pressure on the nerve. A newer procedure is microdiskectomy which is similar but is microsurgery so means reduced hospital and recovery time. Sometimes spinal fusion may be needed.

Newer techniques

These are still under research and if they come through, hopefully slipped disk pain will only be a bad memory. These include nucleoplasty, oxygen-ozone therapy, disk and nucleus replacement and biological repair.