My mom has a herniated disc and she is in Severe Pain.She wont be having the surgery anytime soon. So in the mean time what can she do to relieve the pain.She has done physical therapy and has been taking the highest does of medicine that can be prescribed, but she is still in pain.She can’t sit,stand,or lay down for long periods of time.
#1 by CarrieAnn on February 18th, 2011
Quote
I don’t recommend she do this without first asking her doctor if it is Ok, inversion tables and/ or inversion devices are similar to traction and can reieve pain. You must have stable blood pressure for those however. Also steroid injections would probably give her significant relief or if she isn’t willing to have the injections, a short course of by mouth steroid can give her relief. There are all kinds of nerve blocks they can do. All these options should be tried before surgery. Surgery is a last resort option. Hope this helps. I feel her pain. I don’t know where you guys live but if you are in PA, I know some great and some not so great Dr’s
#2 by mistify on February 18th, 2011
Quote
If the disc is actually herniated and not just a protrusion…not a whole lot can be done other than waiting. Once the wall of the disc (the annulus) has been breeched, it looses it’s elastic mechanism, it looses it’s ability to recoil and contain the contents of the disc. Very often, it will firm up with time…give it about 3-6 months. Otherwise, relative rest and aggresive anti-inflammation (such as epidural injections) can help with pain management.
If it’s not completely herniated (clinically, their symptoms don’t extend all the way to the foot, the pain is intermittent), very often, it is reversible with physical therapy. However, if your mom did not see a physical therapist who is certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy, I would really, really recommend it. You can find such a therapist at http://www.mckenziemdt.org