Between 5 and 20 individuals out of every 1,000 suffer herniated discs annually, and the condition affects more men than women. This illness is prevalent among adults of 50 years and above, but anyone can suffer it due to injury and strain. If you have a herniated disc, you will need pain management services to aid you in sitting.
St. Louis Pain Consultants is a leading and trusted pain management center in St. Louis, Missouri. We specialize in treating herniated disc pain, and we are passionate about helping you become whole again. Here are some expert tips for dealing with herniated disc pain.
3 Pain Management Services to Help You Sit with a Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is a condition that affects one or many discs that separate individual bones (vertebrae) of your spine. The problem may occur due to a single injury or strain, but wear and tear caused by aging is the most significant risk factor.
Patients rarely experience severe symptoms and do not need surgery. However, some cases can cause grievous pain, making it difficult to sit. For such cases, you need the following three well-thought pain management services from a trusted facility.
1. Seek Physical Therapy Services
Herniated discs can become worse without proper treatment. Visit a qualified physical therapist in the event the pain is unbearable. Working with a professional is vital. Your physician will train your body to prevent neck and back pain, helping you achieve the proper posture.
Physical therapy is essential for fast recovery, so you should always see a physician for disc problems. Your physician will recommend the best stretching and aerobic exercises. They will also suggest other regimens, including electrical muscle stimulation, heating, and icing of the affected area.
2. Your Physician Will Suggest Medication and Injections
Pain management services most often involve medication to relieve current symptoms and trigger the body’s natural immune response. A physician will determine which medication you need. Popular suggestions include muscle relaxants, pain relievers, and anti-inflammation medications.
Your doctor may also recommend injected pain relievers and epidural injections. The latter involves injecting a steroid medicine, such as cortisone, in the space around the spine to ease the pain. The injection relieves pain in the nerves and surrounding area.
3. You May Require Spinal Surgery
Most cases of the herniated disc do not require surgery. Physical therapy and medication should improve the symptoms within four to six weeks. However, if the condition does not change after using other services, you should consider surgery. Therapists recommend surgery if the pain relievers and injections are not providing any relief.
You should also seek surgery if the symptoms are worse, you have trouble standing/walking, or you cannot control your bladder. Popular surgeries include discectomy (removing the damaged disc) and lumbar laminectomy (removing the lamina). The surgeon may also perform a spinal fusion to stabilize the disk on your spine after a discectomy or laminectomy.
Pain Management Services in St. Louis, Missouri
Before we recommend treatment, we will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to determine the cause and find a proper treatment plan. Contact St. Louis Pain Consultants today to get rid of herniated disc pain.
If you are living with chronic pain, seek help from St. Louis Pain Consultants.
We want to help remind you what life without pain feels like.
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