Treating a Herniated Disk

A herniated disk is a term used to describe a problem in one of the rubbery cushions or disks located between the stacked vertebrae of your spine. It occurs when the nucleus, the soft jelly-like center of your spine, pushes out through a tear in the annulus. A herniated disk can happen anywhere on the spine and can often lead to pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg. Flowers Physical Therapy is here to help relieve any pain you are feeling, promote healing, and help prevent future injury. Contact our back pain specialist in Queens NY to learn more!

Treatment

When it comes to treatment options for a herniated disk, it has been found that conservative care, like physical therapy, has been the best route as opposed to surgery or medications.

Depending on your case, our back specialist in Queens NY will work with you to devise a specific treatment program to encourage recovery, including some at-home exercises and treatments. The goal is to help you return to your normal life and activities. Some guidelines your physical therapist may give you within the first 24-48 hours of your diagnosis include:

Resting the area by avoiding any activities that would worsen any symptoms you may be experiencing in your arms or legs
Avoid bed rest
Stay active, and take short walks a few times a day. Movement can help lessen the pain and stiffness.
Apply ice packs to the area for 15-20 mins every 2 hours
Make sure you sit in firm chairs

Passive and Active Treatments

There are a variety of techniques your physical therapist can use to help reduce your pain. Passive treatments usually relax the body and include deep tissue massage, hot and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and hydrotherapy. Once your body begins to heal, your physical therapist will transition to active treatments to strengthen your body as well as prevent any further pain.

Passive Treatments

Deep tissue massage- This is the application of a great deal of pressure to relieve any deep tissue muscle tension and spasms.
Hot and cold therapy- Heat therapy is used to increase blood flow to the target area. Blood can help heal the area by providing extra oxygen and nutrients. It is also helpful in removing waste byproducts as a result of muscle spasms. Cold therapy, on the other hand, slows down circulation. It helps decrease inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain.
Hydrotherapy- This involves the use of water and can mean sitting in a whirlpool bath or warm shower. Hydrotherapy gently relieves pain and relaxes the muscles.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation- a TENS machine utilizes an electrical current to help stimulate the muscles. Electrodes are taped to the skin and send a tiny current to specific points on the nerve pathway. This will reduce spasms in the muscles and is also believed to trigger endorphins, also known as the body’s natural pain killers.
Traction- The goal of this is to reduce the effects of gravity on the spine. By pulling apart the bones, the objective is to reduce disk herniation.

Active Treatments

Active treatments target your flexibility, posture, strength, core stability, and joint movement. For better results, your physical therapist may even prescribe an exercise program. This will both curb your pain and benefit your overall health.

Core stability- a strong core helps your back muscles support your spine. Weak core muscles result in extra pressure on your back muscles.
Flexibility- flexibility helps your body ward off any stiffness.
Hydrotherapy- this involves water aerobics which will condition your body minus any unnecessary stress.
Muscular strengthening- stronger muscles help support your spine and aid in handling pain.

Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to both conditions and strengthen your back and put a stop to future pain. The end goal is for you to develop the knowledge to maintain a life that is free of pain.

Back Pain Specialist in Queens NY

At Flowers Physical Therapy, we help our patients with individualized plans for a better quality of life post-treatment. Our goal is to shorten recovery time and prevent any future injuries. If you are experiencing symptoms from a herniated disk and need help confronting the pain, make an appointment with us today!