Managing Pain of Herniated Discs With Non Surgical Treatments Like Acupuncture

Managing and alleviating pain caused by herniated discs or disc injuries is a two-prong approach. First, is the actual treatment and second, is adjunctive therapy to ameliorate daily pain over the course of treatment.

Because treatment for herniated discs (and many back injuries for that matter) typically requires more than one treatment session before substantial pain relief is achieved, adding pain management to the treatment regimen can greatly increase patient comfort over the course of treatment and can help accelerate the return to daily activities.

In addition to acupuncture, other successful pain management techniques for herniated discs include physical therapy and the Flexion-Distraction Technique by a chiropractor.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

A herniated or bulging disc is a displaced piece of the center part or nucleus of the disc that is pushed through a tear in the outer layers. Pain results when irritating substances are released from this tear and also if the jelly portion touches or compresses a nearby nerve. Disc herniation has some similarities to degenerative disc disease and discs that herniate are often in an early stage of degeneration, which is why immediate treatment is critical to the long-term health of a patient.

Acupuncture Therapy For Disc Related Back Pain

Acupuncture therapy cannot cure a herniated disc, but studies have shown that when acupuncture therapy is performed at the onset of symptoms, recovery time is improved and pain is decreased. As an adjunctive therapy to non-surgical back pain treatment, acupuncture therapy can help stimulate blood flow to the injured disc, and can help produce valuable endorphins that may be used by the body in the healing process. These endorphins help reduce swelling which may reduce pain.

An acupuncture treatment involves inserting fine needles into the skin, along the pathway of the pain. Since acupuncture needles are 25-50 times thinner than a hypodermic needle, most people feel no pain at all when the needle is inserted and often describe the experience as 'relaxing'.

Many chiropractors now include additional pain management treatments such as acupuncture to coincide with other non surgical herniated or bulging disc treatments including spinal decompression therapy or the Flexion-Distraction Technique (chiropractic).

More Non Surgical Treatment Options for Disc Injuries

Today patients have many more options with regards to treating a disc injury without the use of surgery. Other options include physical therapy, shock wave therapy, trigger point therapy, and spinal decompression therapy. The ultimate course of treatment is as individual as the patient. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for disc injuries. Diet and lifestyle changes may also be incorporated for long-term success.