A back injury can be very painful.It happens when some of the soft material from inside the disk comes out.If the material that comes out of the disk irritates the nerves in your back, it can cause severe pain.Many people recover without having surgery.
Step 1: The symptoms should be recognized.
The neck and the lower spine are where the most disks are found.If you have a disk in your back, you will experience pain in the legs.If the disk is in your neck, it will hurt.There is pain in your limbs.When you cough, sneeze, or move in certain ways, the pain may become more intense.Feelings of pins and needles.The nerves that run to that part of the body are affected.There is a weakness.You are more likely to trip and fall if your lower back is affected.You may have difficulty carrying heavy items if you have a neck problem.
Step 2: If you think you have a disk problem, you should go to the doctor.
The doctor will perform a medical exam to find out where your pain comes from.The doctor will ask about your medical history.Sense of touch, balance, and ability to walk may be tested by the doctor.You may be tested by the doctor if you feel light touches on different parts of your body.You can move your head or raise your leg.The movements stretch the nerves.If you experience increased pain, numbness, or pins and needles, you may have a disk problem.
Step 3: If your doctor recommends it, you should get the tests.
The tests can be used to exclude other causes of your pain and to allow the doctor to see what is happening to your disks.If you think you could be pregnant, you should tell your doctor.An x-ray.Your doctor may want you to get an X-ray to make sure that your pain isn't the result of an injury to your spine.The doctor can suggest a myelogram with the X-ray.If you put dye into your spine, it will show up on an X-ray.The doctor can see where disks are pressing on your nerves.A computed tomographic (CT) Scan.You will lie on the table that moves into the scanning room.The X-rays will be taken in sequential order.The doctor may ask you to hold your breath to make sure the picture is clear.You may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test or be given a contrast dye.The test is likely to take less than an hour.The doctor can use this test to figure out which disks are affected.Magnetic resonance scans.Magnetic fields and radio waves can be used to create pictures of your body.It's a good idea to use an magnetic resonance to determine exactly which disk has herniated and what nerves are pressing on.You have to lie on a table that will slide into the scanner to take the test.The scanner will make loud noises, so you will probably get earphones or ear protectors.It could take up to an hour and a half.This is the most expensive test.
Step 4: Get tested for nerve problems.
If the doctor is concerned that you have damage to your nerves, you may be asked to get nerve conduction tests.A small electrical pulse may be given to the doctor during the nerve conduction tests.The doctor uses a thin needle to measure the electrical impulses that come from your muscles.Both procedures could be uncomfortable.
Step 5: As necessary, apply ice or heat.
The home remedies are recommended by the Mayo Clinic.The stage of your injury may affect which one you use.Cold packs can help reduce inflammation in the first few days.You can wrap frozen vegetables in a towel and use an ice pack.Give your skin a chance to warm up by applying it for 10 minutes.The cold pack shouldn't be applied to your skin.Warming can be used to relax tense muscles after the first few days.There is a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.Do not put the heat source on your bare skin.
Step 6: If you can, stay active.
You may need to rest for a few days, but staying active will help you recover faster and keep you from stiffening up.Talk to your doctor or physical therapist to find out what exercises they recommend.Do activities that could make it worse.This could include carrying heavy items.The water will support your weight and relieve the pressure on your spine.Other possibilities include walking or biking.If your doctor approves, try to tilt your body.Put your hand under your lower back as you lie on your back.If you want to push down on your hand, tilt your pelvis.Hold it for a while.This is repeated 10 times.Stop and talk to your doctor if it causes pain.Do buttock squeezes.Lying on your back with your knees up, squeeze your buttocks together and hold it for five seconds.This is repeated 10 times.This shouldn't cause pain.Do not discuss it with your doctor if it does.
Step 7: You should adjust your sleeping position.
You can get relief by lying down and taking the pressure off your spine and nerves.Lying on your stomach on pillows can be recommended by your doctor or physical therapist.The pressure on your nerves may be reduced.Lying in the fetal position with a pillow between your knees.The side with the disk should be up.Lying on your back and stacking pillows underneath your knees will make your hips and knees bend and your lower legs parallel to the bed.If you want to rest your legs on a chair during the day, lie on the floor.
Step 8: Get support from your friends.
Depression and anxiety can be caused by living with chronic pain.Maintaining your social network will make you feel less alone.It's possible to get social support by talking with friends and family.Let them help you if there are physical activities you can't do alone.You can see a counselor.If you have unrealistic expectations for your recovery, a counselor can help you.Your doctor may be able to recommend someone who helps people deal with pain.You can join a support group.It might help you to feel less alone.
Step 9: The best way to deal with stress is to manage it.
Stress makes you more sensitive to pain.You may be able to better handle the pain if you develop techniques for dealing with stress.Some people benefit from using techniques such as meditation, art therapy, and visualizing calming images.
Step 10: Discuss alternative therapies with a physical therapist.
You can change how you sit or move to make your condition better.You should always talk to your doctor if you are interested in using alternative methods of pain management.Short-term bracing for your neck or back is a possibility.
Step 11: Moderate pain can be dealt with with over-the-counter painkillers.
If your pain isn't too severe, this is likely to be the doctor's first suggestion.Ibuprofen and naproxen are possible medications.NSAIDs may not be right for you if you have high blood pressure, asthma, heart or kidneys problems.Before you start taking these medications, talk to your doctor to make sure they don't interfere with other medications.They are known to cause gastric ulcers.If the over-the-counter medications don't help within 7 days, you should consult your doctor.
Step 12: Fight severe pain with prescription drugs.
Nerve pain medications are suggested by your doctor depending on your symptoms and medical history.The side effects of these drugs are less severe than those of narcotics.Gabapentin, Gralise, Horizant, pregabalin and duloxetine are some of the common ones.There are narcotics.When over-the-counter medications were not strong enough and nerve pain medications weren't helpful, these medications are likely to be prescribed.They can cause side effects.Some of these medications have a mixture of drugs.There are muscle relaxants.Some people have pain in their muscles and these medications can help.There is a common one.The best time to use muscle relaxants is at night just before bed.If you read the packaging, you can determine if you should drive or operate the machinery.
Step 13: The injections are for the pain.
It is possible to suppress inflammation and swelling.Your doctor may be able to give you an injection into the area that is causing the pain.When trying to decrease swelling, your doctor may use oral steroids.Corticosteroids can be used to delay or eliminate surgery.The hope is that once the inflammation goes down, the body will heal itself over time.Over the long-term, cortisone can cause weight gain, depression, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and a vulnerability to infections.
Step 14: Discuss the surgery with your doctor.
If other options aren't improving your symptoms, your doctor may recommend surgery.Open discectomy is one of the types of surgery your doctor may suggest.The damaged part of the disk is taken out by the surgeon during this procedure.The surgeon may remove the whole disk if the damage is extensive.It may be necessary to fix the missing disk if the whole disk is removed.This is called fusion.Replacement of intervertebral disks.After the surgeon removes the damaged disk, it is replaced with a new one.There is a laser discectomy.During this procedure, the surgeon will make a small cut into your spine, then insert a thin tube that has a light and camera on it.The laser will be used to remove the damaged disc.
Step 15: Recover from surgery according to your doctor's instructions.
It can take several weeks to recover from surgery.You can return to work after two weeks to a month and a half.If you notice any problems after the surgery, you should contact your doctor.Infections, damage to the nerves, paralysis, hemorrhaging, or temporarily losing sensitivity to touch are possibilities.It works for a while.The load is often transferred to the next adjacent vertebrae if there is a patient.Ask the doctor if you will need more surgeries in the future.