Comments on: How to Recover From a Herniated Disk

on 10/10/2009 Try taking a hot bath and afterward applying ice to the lower back. Take an anti-inflammatory and pain pill and get some sleep. I have a protruded disk for 90 days. Until I tried this treament I got no sleep. I have been doing it for 3 days now and was able to sleep after 90 days of constant pain.

on 8/21/2009 Hi. I've been struggling with DDD and L4-L5 and L5-S1 herniations for a long long time... been to several orthopedic surgeons, chiros, PT, oodles of medical advice and independent research, and just wanted to reinforce some of the good advice given here, and condemn some of the bad advice up top. Ice! not heat (as others have said) Ice reduces swelling... heat increases circulation and can even add to the swelling. After the accute stage, a combination can be used alternately, but I'd end it with ice each time. Bed rest was prescribed 40 years ago people... and has long since been recounted by the medical community for Disk problems. The first 2 or 3 days after herniating or flare-up, bed rest is okay, but after that... Walk. Activity helps spinal articulation and often aids in re-absorbtion. Avoid twisting motions from the hips! The annulus is a fibrocartilage and is weaker during t...

on 4/5/2009 I've had spine surgery, but prior to, my dr wanted me in bed for 2-3 days MAX. lying in bed is not always a good thing - as it may stiffen you up. I have found that using MOIST heat is better than a regular heating pad. A hydroculator is better. Because it's moist heat, it gets into the muscles better. You should only have it on for about 10 minutes. Although, everyone is different, switching from ice to heat is better for you. Putting heat on a muscle that is inflamed is like putting fire on fire. It doesn't help. It feels good, but icing it is better for you. I found a great trick --- for inflammation, take an anti-inflammatory, crush it, then add a drop of water to make a "mixture" out of it. Take that and rub it onto the inflammed area and BAM!! It almost immediately takes the swelling away. It works faster than taking it orally.. Just thought i'd share that with anyone that's intere

on 3/1/2009 Exercise and education are key.Turtlegirl has the more correct medical advice re rest. The resting positions mentioned in the article itself are good. Rest as needed for a few days, but begin gentle exercises to mobilize the spine as soon as you are able to do them pain free, eg. wiggling the hips, rolling the legs or trunk while lying in a supported position. 'Yes!' to walking in water, and 'Yes!' to acupuncture, NSAIDS, etc. if they give you some initial pain relief to enable you to get up and about. Use ice for 10-15 mins, every couple of hours when the injury is acute (2-3 days) and then heat when you start to feel more stiff. Massage over the spine is fine if it is a comfortable pressure. Indeed, learn to read your body as Daisym said. Watch your posture and avoid sitting at all if that aggravates your pain - it is generally the worst position for a bulging/ruptured disc. Seek advic

on 2/18/2009 I have found the newer medical information agrees with the much shorter bed rest comment. Also, as it says on Mayo Clinic's info sheet, if you smoke, QUIT! Besides it's other terrible side effects, it robs your spine of nutrients and slows the healing process.

on 2/18/2009 I have found the newer medical information agrees with the much shorter bed rest comment. Also, as it says on Mayo Clinic's info sheet, if you smoke, QUIT! Besides it's other terrible side effects, it robs your spine of nutrients and slows the healing process.

on 1/14/2009 Bed rest is difficult to accept and execute but it's important in the first acute stages. The above advice is sensible, comprehensible, and doable. Much patience is required and the ability to "listen to your body" is essential for recovery which can take many months or even years because re-injury happens easily. You WILL recover if you learn how to manage the stresses and atrains which aggravate the condition.

on 1/13/2009 Laying in bed for that amount of time is the absolute worst thing you can do for back pain. Three to four days tops otherwise you are risking atrophying the supporting muscles.

on 11/17/2008 If you have a herniated disc in the neck it is also very important to use a good cervical support neck pillow while sleeping- so that your neck can be in the right position and properly supported. - NJ http://www.neckpainsupport.com

on 8/8/2006 I have had great results with a Chinese Medicine doctor I am seeing. If you can you should get acupuncture at least 2 times a week until you are no longer acute. Chinese medicine is more than acupuncture. Make sure that the practitioner you go to talks to you about your diet, emotional state, and gives you some herbs to take. I have had excellent results from acupuncture, it also helped me get off narcotic pain medications. Being that this condition is built up over time, it makes sense to use this as an opportunity to reexamine how you live, and change what you need to change. Eat lots of steamed greens, black sesame seeds, eggs, duck, chicken, and yams. I found marijuana (in moderation) to be a great muscle relaxant, and far less dangerous and toxic than what my MD prescribed! Call on the people who you have helped to help you. Don't be shy. This will pass. Our bodies heal themselves, and you will heal in time.

on 7/26/2006 Sitting on a firm surface, completely straight, is better than reclining and sitting on cushions. The more I focused on posture while sitting and standing, the better I felt. I would also recommend the McKenzie exercises.

on 11/22/2005 If suffering prolonged pain from a ruptured disk, the core muscles and nerves around the injury can become impaired. Acupuncture has helped more than any other therapy (including drugs) to relive my pain and increase mobility and therefor speeding my recovery. If you have impinged, displaced nerves. keep taking NSAIDs for inflammation and linseed capsules to help repair. Be strong, and remember, it will get better.

on 11/22/2005 Doing Bikram Yoga (24 poses in a certain order to warm up for the next) has helped my back more than anything. I've gone for 4 years without my chiropractor!

on 11/22/2005 Tapping into your spirtual side brings about an inner peace that helps you through the pain. Also, a positive attitude that you are doing the best you can keeps you from being frustrated during this time period.

on 11/22/2005 Try to walk in a heated pool, but only do as much as you can. Use a cushion when sitting in the car, as it keeps your spine straight. Avoid situations where you have to sit for too long.