As with so many things, the answer is incomplete. Yes, your symptoms may resolve, but this does not necessarily mean the herniated disc itself has healed. See Typical Symptoms of a Herniated Disc. Discs herniate either by rupturing the outer layer of the disc called the annulus, or breaking the endplate off the vertebral body Rajasekaran, Spine , allowing the soft gel-like center the nucleus pulposus to ooze out.
This gel can pinch or compress parts of the nerve sac, causing pain. The herniated nucleus pulposus contains inflammatory proteins that can cause enough inflammation to affect the nearby nerve and cause what is commonly known as sciatica , or a radiculopathy.
See Diagnosing the Cause of Sciatica. Three main processes are thought to reduce the symptoms and pain caused by a lumbar herniated disc:. Any of the above factors may help reduce the size of the herniation, which means your nerve root is less likely to be affected. Contrary to what many people believe, only rarely does back pain strike while someone is lifting something heavy or performing an intensive activity.
Those things are rare. Most people are doing simple tasks, such as leaning over to spit in the sink when brushing their teeth. Back pain most often results from inevitable tissue failure caused by age-related deterioration. After all, being careful won't stop any other signs of aging, such as wrinkles or gray hair. Your experiences with back pain may have a lot to do with your individual genetic makeup.
And just as some people are prone to heightened pain — which may occur in people with conditions such as fibromyalgia — some people are at the opposite end of the spectrum and less prone to pain. Research has shown that the tendency to experience more or less back pain runs in families. For example, identical twins often have similar histories of back pain, says Dr. This is the case even if they have completely different lives and experiences — for example, if one twin has a desk job and the other performs heavy labor in construction.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke recommends several strategies to help ease back pain when it flares up:. While back pain may be inevitable for many people, changing attitudes about the problem could be making it worse. In the past, people used to take back pain in stride and didn't generally seek medical help.
But that hasn't reduced the prevalence of pain or disability. In fact, disability from back pain has actually increased over time. In , a study ranked back pain as the sixth most burdensome condition in the United States. Where back pain was once viewed a nuisance to work through, today, back pain stops many people in their tracks.
Many doctors are encouraging a return to the past when it comes to managing back pain, with less emphasis on intervention and more on encouraging movement. Movement seems to be the stimulus to normalize pain responses in the nervous system. Studies on animals with spinal injuries show faster pain resolution among those forced to exercise than among those allowed to move less, says Dr.
Surgery may be necessary for some back problems, such as conditions that are causing progressive nerve damage or that involve structural changes that need to be corrected, according to the NINDS. So, if you're experiencing back pain caused by normal wear and tear, the message is that in most cases you don't need to stop your life and wait to heal. Move your body instead. Physical therapists can play a role in helping you gradually and safely increase your activity level, to desensitize your nervous system's response, so you can get back to your regular daily activities.
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In general, those with a herniated disc may want to avoid sitting for long periods of time and maintain good posture. Ergonomic chairs, lumbar cushions and other tools may aid in correcting your posture and provide back support. Although most minor disc herniations can heal on their own, the addition of conservative treatment can aid in relieving your discomfort as the healing process may be slow.
If the pain does not subside within a few weeks or worsens, surgery may be necessary. If you continue to experience numbness, weakness, have difficulty standing or walking or have loss of bladder control, you may be a candidate for spinal surgery for your disc herniation. An experienced spine doctor can help determine the best treatment options for your specific situation. Previous Next.
View Larger Image. Healing Disc Herniations If an MRI reveals that you are suffering from a herniated disc, conservative treatments will be suggested. Marcelo Eguino T April 10th,
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