What is the best treatment for a compressed disc?

Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root. Ice and heat therapy for pain relief. Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief.

How serious is a compressed disc?

A disc that herniates can compress or pinch a nerve in your spine. When a herniated disc presses on your spinal nerves or spinal cord, it can cause numbness, weakness, tingling, shooting pain, bowel and/or bladder problems—symptoms that can take a huge toll on your quality of life.

How do you fix a compressed spinal disc?

How is spinal cord compression treated?

1. Medicines may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that relieve pain and swelling, and steroid injections that reduce swelling.
2. Physical therapy may include exercises to strengthen your back, abdominal, and leg muscles.

Can a compressed disc be fixed?

The most common surgical procedure performed for a single herniated disc is called a microdiscectomy. During this procedure, a small incision is made and the surgeon will work to remove the herniated part of the disc. If any other fragments are pressing on your nerves, they will remove those as well.

What is the difference between a compressed disc and a herniated disc?

Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain because it generally protrudes farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. The irritation can be from compression of the nerve or, much more commonly, the herniation causes a painful inflammation of the nerve root.

What does a compressed disc feel like?

If you have a herniated lumbar disc, you may feel pain that radiates from your low back area, down one or both legs, and sometimes into your feet (called sciatica). You may feel a pain like an electric shock that is severe whether you stand, walk, or sit.

How long does a compressed disc take to heal?

Nonsurgical treatments. Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.

What does it mean to have compressed discs?

Also known as a herniated or bulging disc, a compressed disc is a condition in which the integrity of one or more discs have deteriorated to the point that the nerves exiting from the vertebrae are placed under a great deal of pressure. Depending on the severity of the situation, the condition can lead…

What are the symptoms of a compressed disc?

Compressed discs are also known as prolapsed, ruptured or slipped discs. One of the first symptoms that indicate the presence of a compressed disc is a sense of numbness or tingling in the back and legs.

What are the best exercises for compressed discs?

The 7 Best Exercises for Back Pain, Slipped disc and Sciatica Knee to Chest Stretch. Back Extension. Hamstring Stretch. Pelvic Tilt. Piriformis Stretch. Child’s Pose (Prayer stretch) Cat and Cow Pose.

What is a compressed disc in the lower back?

Commonly referred as herniated disk, compressed disc is a condition wherein one or more disc deteriorate to such an extent that the nerves around the vertebrae are forced to bear undesirable amount of pressure. Based on the criticality of the condition, a person may experience severe back pain or permanent injury to the spine.