Treatment For a Slipped Disc

A slipped disc is a relatively common cause of low back pain/or sciatica.

However, it is also a term which sometimes strikes fear into people when they have been given such a diagnosis, as they assume that surgery may be indicated. Let me firstly reassure you that nearly all slipped discs can be treated successfully with appropriate advice and exercises.

The discs themselves act as shock absorbers and assist with movement between the bony vertebrae of the spine. Every time we bend or twist, the discs take up a lot of the stress involved.

The discs contain a jelly like substance in the middle and a fibrous outer layer. If too much stress is placed across the discs, the fibrous outer layer of the disc can become weakened and consequently, the jelly like inner substance can begin to protrude outwards, just like an inner tube can protrude from a weak spot in a tyre.

This protrusion can result in inflammation of the adjacent structures, including the sciatic nerve, and therefore pain.

If there is significant inflammation present, the first thing I would recommend is a short course of anti inflammatories (although always check with your GP/health professional first to make sure it is OK for you to take these). You would need to take these in order to settle the incredible sensitivity which can be present during acute inflammation.

In addition to this however, you would also need to begin a series of exercises which are extension based. This is because we need to reduce the bulging disc back into its correct position, between the vertebrae.

This begins with simply lying on your stomach, maybe with a pillow or two underneath your belly if the pain is particularly sensitive. Adopt this position for a few minutes every hour or so (this is not set in stone and feel free to change the number of times you do this depending upon how your pain is responding. Nothing is a case of no pain-no gain though, and if any exercises aggravate your pain, you should ease off or stop doing them altogether).

As the pain does settle, and there is no reason why it should not, then begin to prop yourself up slowly but surely, in order to create more extension in your lower back.

By propping yourself up, you may wish to just rest yourself slightly up on to your elbows for a few seconds while lying flat on your stomach. As this gets easier, prop yourself up a little higher for a count of 5-10, maybe even beginning to push yourself up with your hands. While doing this, it is important that you only lift up from the waist, therefore still keeping your legs flat on the floor.

I am sure you can see the principle being aimed for here. Quite simply, little and often throughout the day adopt a position of relative extension for your lower back. Try not to do too much too soon, else you will just end up pinching on the disc bulge too much and this will only aggravate things.

If you are very careful with these exercises and yet they still make your pain worse, it may be that the disc is not the cause of your pain. This may be so even if you have had a scan which has diagnosed you with a 'slipped disc'.

It is a known fact that there are many people walking around today who have disc bulges present, yet they will be suffering with no pain. A disc bulge only increases the chances of you suffering with low back pain or sciatica, it does not mean for a fact that you will get it. Therefore, a disc bulge may be a red herring and something else may actually be causing your pain.

Nevertheless, if it is a slipped disc which is responsible, an extension based exercise programme, along with an appropriate stretching and strengthening regime for your back, will soon have the pain disappearing and you leading a life free of pain again.