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Herniated disk treatment options
By Mayo Clinic staff
The pain of herniated disks can be severe. However, the most severe pain usually eases within a week or two allowing you to be more physically active. In about four to six weeks, most people no longer feel the need to seek medical care. So, only about one in 10 people go on to surgery.
The portion of the disk that herniates tends to shrink over time, and you may experience partial or complete shrinkage after six months. And over the long term, you typically get similar results regardless of whether you opt for surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Because of this, your doctor usually suggests that you try nonsurgical treatments first, as long as you don't have significant or progressive muscle weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control.
When will the pain subside?
Most people with a herniated lumbar disk — estimates range from 80 percent to more than 90 percent — improve and return to normal activities without aggressive treatment. Improvement generally occurs within a month or two. However, with various treatments, you may find that the pain is controlled to the point that you can resume many of your usual activities while you wait for resolution of symptoms.
Conventional treatment options for herniated disk range from nonsurgical methods to surgical methods.
Nonsurgical options for herniated disk
- Pain medications
- Cold therapy, heat therapy or both
- Electrical stimulation
- Bracing
- Hydrotherapy
- Traction
- Stretching
- Dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises
- Aerobic exercise using pain-free activities
Surgical options for herniated disk
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Decompression procedures
