Tips to Relieve Herniated Disc Pain
Lower back pain can be very dangerous and can stop you from doing daily activities. Herniated disc treatment is necessary to get rid of the severe pain. Look at the ways that you can undertake to comfort your pain.
Hot and Cold Treatment Can Help Alleviate Discomfort and Pain in the Muscles
Heat and cold therapy application to the lower back will relieve muscle pain typically associated with a herniated lumbar disc. Temperature helps relax the tightness of the muscle that triggers blood flow, spasms, and enhances connective tissue elasticity. Cold reduces the temperature of the local tissue and provides an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, decreasing pain.
Physical Exercise Is Mild and Stimulates Endorphins
As it might sound counterintuitive, if you have a lumbar herniated disk, staying active will provide pain relief. Once you exercise your body releases endorphins that can actually boost your mood and decrease pain perception.
Most people with herniated lumbar discs can tolerate low-impact activities such as:
Walking on a treadmill
Usage of an elliptical trainer
Ride a recumbent bicycle
Some Sleep Positions Help in Relieving Pain of Herniated Disc
During the night, pain due to lumbar herniated disc might deteriorate. You can find sleeping comfort in a position that relieves backpressure. There are a few good options which include:
Use a cushion under your knees to assist in lower back tension.
To keep the spine straight, you can lie with a pillow on your side or between your knees to keep your spine straight and your hips balanced.
The location of your herniated disk will likely determine your placements of pillow and sleeping positions. Check out a few pillows and different positions to see what works best for you.
The McKenzie Method Aids to Move the Pain from Sciatica
The McKenzie Method is one kind of physical therapy which requires a particular exercise method. For the pain of lumbar herniated disc, the aim is to move pressure away from the leg and more centralize it in your lower back.
The particular symptoms usually decide which McKenzie technique a physiotherapist would recommend.
Typically the path moves to longer-term recovery to strengthen your back and other main muscle groups after the symptoms have progressed out of your leg.
Myofascial Release May Help to Relieve Pain
While myofascial pain may not be the primary cause of lumbar pain, it can be a secondary source of pain that originates from a herniated disc. Poor posture and inactivity may exacerbate this. Myofascial release is a type of manual therapy shown to relieve pain in the low back. While postural preparation and myofascial release may be implemented in physical therapy, in the meantime there are approaches that can be performed at home.
Using a massage can or lacrosse ball to place pressure on the lumbar region tender / trigger points.
When a trigger or tender point has been found, maintain a steady pressure of 1 to 2 minutes to allow muscle release.
Repeat those steps in the lumbar region for several trigger points.
This technique can initially aggravate pain as it puts pressure on inflamed muscles. Upon myofascial release it is strongly recommended that cold therapy (ice) be used to relieve pain.
Book an appointment with Oklahoma Pain Treatment. We can ensure your appropriate herniated disc treatment that can bring your utmost comfort.
**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.
