More than 3 million Americans experience a herniated disc each year. It’s one of the most common spinal injuries, and it happens when the soft inner portion of one of your spinal discs pushes through its tough outer layer and presses against nearby nerves.
A herniated disc can cause back pain, numbness, or weakness that interferes with your daily life — and if you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated disc, you might be wondering whether rest alone is enough to help it heal.
Eric Fanaee, MD, and our team are here to help patients in and around Copiague, Smithtown, and West Islip, New York, find answers. Rest and conservative care can sometimes be enough to resolve painful herniated disc symptoms, but there are some situations that require more advanced treatments to provide lasting relief. Here’s what you should know.
Most mild to moderate herniated discs improve with nonsurgical treatments, and a key element of the healing process is rest. Taking a break from strenuous activities like heavy lifting and high-impact sports helps prevent further irritation and gives your body time to heal.
However, we typically don’t recommend complete bed rest for herniated discs — instead, gentle movement like walking or stretching can help boost circulation, maintain flexibility, and promote healing.
Depending on your needs, Dr. Fanaee may also recommend a combination of other therapies designed to reduce pain and inflammation while supporting your body’s natural healing process.
Alternating between heat and ice packs can ease muscle spasms and reduce swelling around the herniated disc in the initial stages of healing. As you progress, participating in a structured physical therapy program can strengthen the muscles that support your spine, improve posture, and relieve nerve pressure.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can also help reduce swelling and discomfort. In some cases, we may prescribe stronger pain relievers or muscle relaxants. And if your pain persists, corticosteroid injections near the affected nerve can provide temporary relief by reducing inflammation.
These treatments are effective for most people with herniated discs, and you can expect your symptoms to gradually improve over several weeks or months. However, if your pain doesn’t go away or if it worsens, additional intervention may be necessary.
If conservative treatments don’t provide sufficient relief from your herniated disc pain, Dr. Fanaee might recommend a minimally invasive procedure to target the affected disc and nerve pain more directly. Some options include:
These procedures are more involved, but they can be a good long-term solution for severe pain, weakness, or mobility issues caused by a herniated disc. Dr. Fanaee offers comprehensive back pain and neck pain consultations to help you review your options and find the best treatment to address your symptoms.
When you’re diagnosed with a herniated disc, it’s normal to start wondering what recovery will look like. From rest and activity modification to specialized surgical treatment, our team is here to support you. Call Eric Fanaee, MD, today at 631-265-2020.
