Degenerative disc disease

How to Heal a Herniated Disc Quickly?

Between 5 to 20 out of every 1,000 adults develop a herniated disc each year. Age, strenuous physical activity, and even genetics can increase your risk of getting this common spinal condition. Understanding how to heal a herniated disc quickly can help you avoid lengthy recovery times and disruptions to your routine. 

While recovery times can vary from person to person, let’s explore general tips for healing a herniated disc quickly.

Table of Contents

• How Can I Speed Up the Healing of a Herniated Disc?
• Can a Herniated Disc 100% Heal?
• How I Healed My Herniated Disc Naturally
• Do Hot Showers Help Herniated Discs?
• Is a Herniated Disc Pain for Life?
• How Can I Tell if My Herniated Disc Is Healing?

How Can I Speed Up the Healing of a Herniated Disc?

You can speed up the healing of a herniated disc by avoiding high-impact activities, returning to your regular activities gradually, and staying mobile with low-impact exercise. 

After sustaining a herniated disc, many people assume that the best strategy is to avoid all physical activity. However, excessive bedrest can harm, not help, your healing process. Remaining in bed can lead to stiffness and weaker muscles, ultimately placing more impact on the damaged disc.

To speed up the herniated disc healing process, take a break from any activity that triggers your symptoms. But, stay mobile with gentle activities, like walking, stretching, and strengthening exercises (as prescribed by your physical therapist). Wait for your doctor’s approval to add intense activities back into your routine. 

Other Ways to Quickly Heal a Herniated Disc

Along with adjusting your activities, the following methods may speed up your herniated disc recovery process:

• Heat and cold therapy to reduce inflammation and improve range of motion
• Practice good posture to keep the spine in alignment and remove pressure from the damaged disc
• Prioritize high-quality sleep, which is your body’s opportunity to reset and recover. Sleep also reduces your body’s levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Cortisol works against growth hormones by breaking down tissues to use as energy and can slow down your herniated disc recovery process. 
• Visit a physician for an evaluation ASAP to begin the recovery process, prevent further damage, and receive personalized guidance. 

Can a Herniated Disc 100% Heal?

A herniated disc can 100% heal. Additionally, even if the disc doesn’t fully heal, it can become asymptomatic over time with treatment. 

100% healing from a herniated disc is possible with early intervention and a treatment plan. If the herniated disc is addressed in its early stages, a complete recovery is more likely. The longer you wait to receive treatment after getting a herniated disc, the lower the chance that you can heal fully without surgery. 

How I Healed My Herniated Disc Naturally

You can heal a herniated disc naturally with gentle exercise, proper posture, and good nutrition.

Gentle exercise, as recommended by your physical therapist, can accelerate the healing process by improving blood flow to your spine. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients throughout the body, making it essential for tissue regeneration. Low-impact exercise can provide the benefit of improved circulation without placing excessive pressure on the injured disc. 

Examples of low-impact exercise that can help a herniated disc heal naturally include:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Water aerobics
• Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
• Yoga (avoiding excessive twisting of the spine)
• Cycling

Proper posture keeps the vertebrae stacked in ideal alignment. This minimizes the impact on a herniated disc, giving it a chance to heal. Consider your posture while sitting down, exercising, and standing. If you sit at a desk during the workday, investing in a desk chair with excellent lumbar support can support your healing process. 

Good nutrition is an essential piece of the puzzle for natural herniated disc healing. Your body needs a variety of nutrients to regenerate damaged tissue, including vitamins E, C, K, and D, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Eating a nutrient-dense diet may help naturally heal a slipped disc, and your physician may recommend supplements if needed.  

Do Hot Showers Help Herniated Discs?

Hot showers can help herniated discs by boosting blood flow to the spine. It can also help alleviate muscle tension resulting from the injured disc. 

Generally, heat therapy (whether from a hot shower, bath, or heating pad) is the most effective in the first few days after sustaining a herniated disc. However, it’s important to protect your skin from burns or irritation. Make sure the water isn’t too hot and never fall asleep with a heating pad on. 

Some people experience muscle spasms from herniated discs. This generally occurs if the damaged disc presses on nearby nerves, which can disrupt nerve signals to the surrounding muscle tissue. Heat can relax the muscle tissue, preventing spasms and tightness.  

Is a Herniated Disc Pain for Life?

A herniated disc usually isn’t pain for life. In 90% of cases, herniated disc pain goes away with non-surgical treatment. 

Complete relief from herniated disc pain is possible, especially if you receive a diagnosis and begin treatment early. Many conservative therapies, including physical therapy, rest, and medications are proven to help with herniated disc pain. 

How Can I Tell if My Herniated Disc Is Healing?

You may be able to tell if your herniated disc is healing if you have significantly less pain and neurological symptoms in the affected area.

Additionally, as a herniated disc is healing, you’ll likely experience fewer muscle spasms. This symptom improves as the disc inflammation decreases, leading to less pressure on nearby nerves. 

How Long Does a Herniated Disc Take to Heal? 

The length of time a herniated disc takes to heal depends on the severity of the injury, along with the patient’s general health. However, in most cases, the disc heals within two to twelve weeks.

Factors that can slow down herniated disc healing include:

• Nutrient deficiencies
• Not getting enough sleep
• High-impact exercise
• Being sedentary
• Not following your doctor’s recommendations 

What Should I Do if My Herniated Disc Doesn’t Heal on Its Own?

If your herniated disc doesn’t heal on its own, it’s time to consult a trusted physician. Your primary care doctor may refer you to a spine specialist, such as a neurologist or orthopedic surgeon, for more advanced care.  

When a herniated disc doesn’t heal with at-home care, lifestyle modifications, or physical therapy, doctors may recommend a steroid injection. This treatment involves injecting steroid medication into the area of the spine with the herniated disc. Steroid medication has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and may soothe herniated disc symptoms. 

Generally, patients can only undergo three to four steroid shots per year to prevent tissue damage. If this treatment fails to provide relief and the patient has debilitating pain, surgery may be the next line of action. 

Herniated Disc Surgery

Surgery for a herniated disc typically involves discectomy, the process of removing the damaged portion of the disc. This alleviates pressure on the nearby nerves for pain relief. 

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Patients today have access to minimally invasive forms of discectomy, including microdiscectomy, to limit the risks of spine surgery. Additionally, innovations like the TOPS System can prevent the need for spinal fusion in patients with spinal stenosis due to a lumbar herniated disc. 

Ultimately, relief from a herniated disc is possible, especially with early intervention and a trusted physician by your side. If you’re experiencing persistent lower back pain, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment for an evaluation. It could make the difference between a quick recovery and a lengthy healing process!

Degenerative Disc Disease Surgery

Degenerative disc disease, or DDD, is a condition involving damaged intervertebral discs. It develops gradually, often due to age-related spinal changes, but can also be triggered by overusing the spine. 

In some cases, degenerative disc disease surgery may be necessary to resolve chronic back pain and disability. Read on to learn more about this prevalent spinal condition and when to consider surgery for your symptoms. 

Table of Contents

• Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease
• Can Degenerative Disc Disease Lead to Paralysis?
• What Is the Best Cure for Degenerative Disc Disease?
• Can a Degenerative Disc Be Fixed Without Surgery?
• What Surgery Is Best for Degenerative Disc Disease?

Stages of Degenerative Disc Disease

The stages of degenerative disc disease include dysfunction, dehydration, stabilization, and collapsing. 

Stage 1: The Dysfunction Stage

The dysfunction stage occurs when the affected discs begin to lose normal function. This leaves the spine vulnerable to shock and high-impact movements. Additionally, as the discs lose function, they become less able to support the spine’s natural structure, often leading to misalignment. 

For many people, the dysfunction stage is symptom-free. Others experience mild back pain and discomfort. 

Stage 2: The Dehydration Stage

Healthy spinal discs are well-hydrated and able to absorb impact. As they degenerate, the discs become weaker, drier, and more susceptible to herniation or rupture. During this stage, back pain typically worsens. 

Stage 3: The Stabilization Stage

In this stage of degenerative disc disease, the spine tries to stabilize itself after losing strength. For many people, this involves bone spur development.  

Bone spurs (also known as osteophytes) are pieces of excess bone that can form on the vertebrae. They develop as your body attempts to counteract the increased impact on the spine. Bone spur growth may decrease the spine’s mobility, leading to stiffness and tightness.

For some people, the stabilization stage causes spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which can occur as your body tries to improve stability. The narrowing canal may press on spinal nerves, potentially triggering symptoms like radiating pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness. 

Stage 4: The Collapsing Stage

This is the last stage of degenerative disc disease. At this point, the spinal discs are very weak, thin, and dehydrated, providing no protection for the spine. Some people in this phase may have severe bone spurs and spinal deformities. 

In the collapsing stage, you may experience severe, debilitating back pain and neurological symptoms. Generally, stage 4 degenerative disc disease is irreversible but treatable with various therapies, including surgery.  

What Are The Symptoms of Stage 4 Degenerative Disc Disease?

Possible symptoms of stage 4 degenerative disc disease include:

• Chronic back pain and radiating pain (lasting for longer than three months)
• Numbness, weakness, and/or tingling that radiates from the lumbar spine into the lower extremities
• Severely limited spinal mobility
• Disrupted daily activities

Can Degenerative Disc Disease Lead to Paralysis?

Yes, degenerative disc disease can lead to paralysis, but rarely. Paralysis generally only occurs in severe, untreated cases of DDD.

Cases of degenerative disc disease that can lead to paralysis generally involve cauda equina syndrome. This complication of DDD occurs when the cauda equina (a sac of nerve endings at the bottom of the spinal cord) is compressed. Cauda equina syndrome requires immediate medical treatment to prevent paralysis. 

Warning signs of cauda equina syndrome include:

• Lost bladder or bowel function
• Reduced or lost sensation in the inner thighs, buttocks, backs of legs, feet, or heels
• Weakness, numbness, or pain in one or both legs
• Sudden onset sexual dysfunction
• Paralysis or irregular reflexes in the legs or feet
• Tingling, burning, or “pins and needles” sensation in the lower extremities

Receiving treatment for prompt degenerative disc disease prevents cauda equina syndrome and permanent nerve damage. 

What Is the Best Cure for Degenerative Disc Disease?

The best cure for degenerative disc disease depends on the individual but generally involves physical therapy or surgery. 

Cases of degenerative disc disease that can be cured without surgery are typically treated with physical therapy, lifestyle adjustments, and medication. Physical therapy is often highly effective for disc degeneration because it naturally alleviates pressure on the damaged disc through strengthening exercises, posture adjustments, and manual therapy. 

While conservative treatments like physical therapy may “cure” degenerative disc disease by resolving your symptoms, they can’t fully repair the damaged discs. This may only be done through surgery, like discectomy. Discectomy involves surgically removing some or all of a damaged intervertebral disc. 

In removing the disc(s) affected by DDD, your surgery can alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves. After removing some or all of the disc, the surgeon generally places an implant in its place to restore function and stability.  

Can a Degenerative Disc Be Fixed Without Surgery?

A degenerative disc can be fixed without surgery if it’s treated early and the patient adheres to their prescribed treatment plan. 

Treatments used to treat degenerative disc disease without surgery include:

• Physical therapy: Your physical therapist will likely focus on spinal stabilization exercises for degenerative disc disease. These exercises strengthen the muscles that stabilize the spine, helping to reduce impact on damaged discs. 
• Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain and pressure on the spinal nerves. Most people start with over-the-counter medications for degenerative disc disease, progressing to prescription medications only if necessary. 
• Epidural steroid injections: This treatment involves injecting steroid medication into the epidural space. It can alleviate symptoms of a spinal pinched nerve caused by a degenerative disc. 
• Massage therapy: Massage can boost blood flow to degenerative discs, helping to promote tissue regeneration. Given that poor circulation can weaken the spinal discs, massage can play a valuable role in your healing process. 
• Lifestyle changes: Your physician will suggest lifestyle changes to promote spinal disc health. These changes may include avoiding high-impact exercise, remaining mobile with low-impact exercise, eating a nutritious diet, and improving your posture. 

Sometimes, even with early intervention and conservative treatments, a degenerative disc continues to trigger pain. In these cases, patients may need to consider surgery to successfully manage their symptoms. 

What Surgery Is Best for Degenerative Disc Disease?

The best surgery for degenerative disc disease is discectomy. 

As discussed in an earlier section, discectomy involves removing the damaged portion of the disc. This takes pressure off of the spinal nerves, relieving pain, weakness, tingling, and numbness. 

To replace the damaged disc tissue, surgeons use fusion or non-fusion spinal implants. Fusion implants contain bone graft material, which permanently fuses the vertebrae to re-stabilize the spine. 

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Non-fusion implants re-stabilize the spine without permanently fusing the vertebrae. Instead, they use flexible materials that move with the spine while providing stability. The TOPS System is one example of a dynamic non-fusion implant that creates a controlled range of motion in the spine after spinal decompression surgery. 

What Is the Future Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease?

The future treatment for degenerative disc disease is stem cell therapy. Stem cells, among other regenerative materials, have the potential to regenerate damaged disc tissue without surgery. 

Regenerative therapies may help treat degenerative disc disease by stimulating the body’s tissue repair process. Stem cells can regenerate into virtually any specialized cell, making them a powerful solution for degenerative conditions. 

Stem cell therapy isn’t yet FDA-approved for degenerative disc disease. Further research is required to support this treatment option. For now, minimally invasive spinal decompression surgery with non-fusion implants is the most advanced treatment option available to patients with DDD. 

Treatment for Herniated Disc

Herniated discs are among the most common spinal injuries, affecting 80% of people at some point in life. This injury occurs when the soft interior of the disc pushes out through a tear in the tough disc exterior. When the disc is damaged in this way, it may compress nearby spinal nerves. 

To alleviate back pain and neurological symptoms from a herniated disc, prompt treatment is required. In this article, we’ll explore the available treatment options for a herniated disc and how to speed up the recovery process. 

Table of Contents

• How Long Does a Herniated Disc Take to Heal?
• What is The Fastest Way to Heal a Herniated Disc?
• Can a Herniated Disc Heal on Its Own?
• Is It Better to Rest or Exercise a Herniated Disc?
• Can Stretching Aggravate a Herniated Disc?
• What Are The Best Stretches For a Herniated Disc?
• Is Walking Good for a Herniated Disc?
• Can Massage Help a Herniated Disc?
• Herniated Disc Surgery

How Long Does a Herniated Disc Take to Heal?

A herniated disc typically takes two weeks to three months to heal. The duration of this healing period can vary greatly depending on:

• The patient’s age
• The patient’s overall health
• The severity of the herniation
• The treatment plan
• How closely the patient follows their doctor’s instructions

What is The Fastest Way to Heal a Herniated Disc?

The fastest way to heal a herniated disc, in most cases, is to:

• Avoid activities that cause pain and place pressure on the spine, as recommended by your doctor
• Use heat and cold therapy
• Remain active with gentle, low-impact activities, as this promotes circulation to the damaged disc and prevents disc degeneration
• Take over-the-counter pain medications to manage inflammation
• Work with a physical therapist to prevent muscle tension, strengthen the muscles that support the spine, and resolve movement patterns that may be worsening the injury

In cases of a severely herniated disc, the faster way to heal may be to undergo surgery. However, this is rare and most patients fully recover with non-surgical treatment methods. Nonetheless, we’ll discuss herniated disc surgery in greater detail in a later section. 

Can a Herniated Disc Heal on Its Own?

A herniated disc can heal on its own if the patient implements excellent home care methods and avoids activities that could exacerbate the damage. In fact, according to Harvard Health Publishing, herniated disc pain goes away on its own within six months in 90% of cases. 

Is It Better to Rest or Exercise a Herniated Disc?

It’s better to exercise a herniated disc because too much bed rest can lead to disc degeneration. However, you may need a few days of rest after a disc herniation to achieve low back pain relief. Additionally, you should only perform gentle, low-impact exercises with a herniated disc to avoid pain and other symptoms. 

Some of the best forms of exercise for a herniated disc include:

• Gentle stretches
• Yoga
• Pilates
• Walking
• Swimming 

Patients with a herniated disc should avoid intense cardio, weightlifting, running, conventional biking, squats, leg presses, and related motions, as it may worsen their symptoms. 

Can Stretching Aggravate a Herniated Disc?

Stretching can aggravate a herniated disc in some forms, particularly if the stretching involves spinal flexion. However, in most cases, gentle stretching is one of the most effective ways to alleviate herniated disc symptoms.

Gentle stretching can benefit your herniated disc treatment plan by improving back muscle flexibility. This allows the muscles to better support the herniated disc, leading to less pain and neurological symptoms.

Along with other forms of exercise for herniated discs, stretching also promotes circulation to the damaged disc. As more blood flows to the disc, the damaged will receive the oxygen and nutrients that it needs to heal. 

What Are The Best Stretches For a Herniated Disc?

The best stretches for a herniated disc include:

• Knee-to-chest

A gentle knee-to-chest stretch is a great stretch to start with, as it’s easy and non-strenuous. 

Simply lie down on your back with your knees bent and your feet on the ground. Then, take the back of one knee and gently pull it toward your torso. Once you feel some resistance, hold the stretch for 10 seconds, and repeat with the other leg. 

• Half cobra

This stretch involves gently arching the lower back, which can help position the damaged disc for faster healing. 

Lie down on your stomach, with your entire body (including your forehead) flat on the ground. Gently bring your elbows under your shoulders to raise your chest and head with your hips and legs remaining on the floor. Engage your abdominal muscles and hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds, 

• Cat-cow

This basic yoga stretch is commonly used to alleviate back pain. It can help boost spinal mobility while alleviating strain on the herniated disc. 

Prop yourself up on your hands and knees, with your back in a flat position. Take a deep inhale, drop your stomach towards the floor, and look up towards the ceiling. This is the “cow” position.

On the exhale, slowly lower your head and tailbone, bringing your spine into an arched “cat” position. Repeat this 10 to 30 times. 

Is Walking Good for a Herniated Disc?

Yes, walking is good for a herniated disc. It’s a low-impact form of exercise that can help you remain mobile without causing your symptoms to flare up. Plus, walking boosts blood flow to the spine to facilitate healing. 

Keep in mind that you may not be able to walk for extended periods early in your herniated disc recovery process. Start with a short period of walking (such as 10 minutes) and gradually increase to 30 or 40 minutes, so long as you don’t experience pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness. 

Can Massage Help a Herniated Disc?

Massage can help a herniated disc by preventing muscle spasms and tension, which can worsen back pain. An experienced massage therapist can identify the source of your back pain and provide a gentle, targeted massage to improve it. 

Deep tissue massage is widely considered the best type of massage for a herniated disc. This is because muscle spasms and tension often begin deep within the muscle tissue. A deep tissue massage can directly target this tension, providing relaxation and improved mobility in the affected area. 

Herniated Disc Surgery

Herniated disc surgery typically involves discectomy, a form of spinal decompression in which the damaged portion of the disc is removed. However, note that most patients with a herniated disc won’t require surgery. It’s generally only considered if the patient’s symptoms don’t respond to several months of non-invasive treatment. 

What is a Discectomy?

During a discectomy, the surgeon removes the damaged disc tissue that’s impinging on nearby spinal nerves. This process alleviates pain, weakness, tingling, numbness, and other neurological symptoms. Some patients may be good candidates for a microdiscectomy, which is a less invasive form of surgery that requires a smaller incision. 

After the damaged disc tissue is removed, the spine is vulnerable to instability. To offset this risk, the surgeon usually either completes spinal fusion or places a non-fusion implant, like the TOPS System or an artificial disc. 

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Unlike spinal fusion, which permanently fuses the affected vertebrae, the TOPS System restores a controlled range of motion in the spine. It’s an advanced treatment option for patients suffering from a herniated disc in the L2 to L5 region of the lumbar spine. 

To receive a personalized treatment plan to resolve herniated disc pain, schedule an appointment with a spinal specialist in your area.