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Options Of Herniated Disc Pain Relief Conroe Patients Need To Be Aware Of


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.

Pharmacological agents are quite effective if carefully selected. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs are among those that are used on a day to day basis. The benefits of these drugs are two fold; they relieve the pain and reduce any associated inflammation. Some of the drugs include diclofenac, naproxen and ibuprofen. If these prove ineffective then stronger agents such as opioids can be considered. Steroids injected directly to the site are another possible option.

Physical manipulation includes chiropractic and massage. Exercises to the back can either be done by a trained professional or by the subject. Commonly, the two are combined. It is important to discuss with your doctor whether this method will be effective in your specific case. Even when other modes of management are chosen, physical therapy remains an important component that should be included whenever possible.

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 many options of relieving back pain caused by a herniated disc. Having the diagnosis made accurately by the doctor is the first step towards getting a solution to the problem. The doctor and the patient should discuss all the possible options before settling down on one of them. What works for one patient may not necessarily be as good for another.

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