Marco Island Herniated Disc Treatment
When you’re suffering from a herniated disc, it can feel like there’s no other option than to push through the discomfort. You may be dealing with muscle weakness, muscle spasms, and limited mobility that makes your everyday activities difficult to impossible. You don’t deserve to suffer, and the doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists from Naples Community Injury Center can help.
Our Marco Island herniated disc treatment can help you manage pain and find solutions to your condition. When you make your first appointment with us, we can tailor a treatment plan to suit your specific healthcare needs. Call us at (239) 631-5445 to get started.
Different Treatments for a Herniated Disc
There are a variety of treatments our doctors may use to treat a herniated disc. What we recommend for you will depend on your condition and the extent of your symptoms. We usually try alternatives to surgery first, but if your herniated disc call for more intensive therapy, we can begin with minimally-invasive surgery.
Alternative and Complementary Therapies
Instead of or in combination with surgery, alternative therapies can be helpful. One alternative approach aims to manage pain stemming from a herniated disc. Manual therapy, along with targeted exercises, can go a long way to alleviate the symptoms of a herniated disc.
Manual Therapy
Manual treatments stimulate the muscles to relax them, and they may include:
- Massages
- Heating and cooling techniques
- Ultrasound therapy
- Positioning
Targeted Exercises
We may also recommend specific exercises to manage the pain that stems from a pinched nerve manually. With regular exercise, you can stimulate the muscles, helping to heal them and manage pain. A lack of physical activity can lead to weakened muscles, which could put you at risk of falling. The last thing you want to do is add to your injuries, so it’s best to try to stay active, even with a herniated disc.
We would never advise you to over-exert yourself, though, as this could also lead to subsequent injuries. Your doctors and physical therapists will know your limits to keep your exercises safe and productive.
Surgery for a Herniated Disc
If a herniated disc is severe enough to warrant surgery, a microdiscectomy may be an option. According to StatPearls, this is a much less traumatic surgery since it involves a very small incision. During this procedure, small fragments of the disc, bone, and ligament are removed to alleviate some of the pressure on the compressed nerve.
The surgery has high success rates, and it often helps relieve pain. If this is an option, your doctor will walk you through what to expect during the procedure and how to best prepare for it. We will be with you every step of the way.
Using Medication to Manage Pain From a Herniated Disc
Anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers are two common examples of pain management medication that can help with a herniated disc. It’s always important to use medication as prescribed since it can have powerful side effects.
If your doctors believe pain medication can help you, they can prescribe you one of the following:
- Steroids: These reduce inflammation while relieving pain. Steroids can also increase the risk of certain medical problems such as stomach ulcers, osteoporosis, glucose metabolism disorders, infections, glaucoma, and skin problems.
- Muscle Relaxants: These are sedatives that relax the muscles but may cause fatigue and drowsiness. Taking some muscle relaxers for longer than a couple of weeks could also cause addiction.
- Anticonvulsants: This medication targets nerve pain, but it can also cause drowsiness and fatigue.
- Antidepressants: Sometimes, antidepressants can be useful for pain management.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs can help relieve pain by reducing swelling.
- Acetaminophen: For people with asthma or stomach problems, this drug can be an alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs. Common examples of this medication include Tylenol and Excedrin.
What Causes Herniated Discs?
Herniated discs can result from accident-related injuries. For example, the impact of a car accident, a slip and fall, or a bicycle collision is enough to cause damage to the spine and discs. According to Mayo Clinic, they can also occur due to regular wear and tear on the disc, which causes degeneration.
Symptoms of disc degeneration include muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, and arm or leg pain. Symptoms could also worsen if left untreated. The sooner you begin to address your injury and manage your pain, the easier it will be to recover or cope with your condition.
Our Client Testimonials Speak Volumes About Our Herniated Disc Treatment
Whether our clients have suffered injuries in an accident or developed a condition in another way, they come to us for treatment, and they share their thoughts on their experience:
- “Great experience from all staff at this office. Very helpful and attentive to patient needs and very accommodating. Appreciate the service we have received from Dr. Nieves, Dr. Rivera, and all the staff at a time of need for our family. Thank you. Greatly recommend this place.” -Ervin Shuaipi
- “NCIC is amazing! The staff is beyond exceptional and understanding. Doctor Nieves knows exactly what he’s doing and aside from a good personality he listens to individuals and their needs and makes sure the needs are met. The staff at the front office has been great with time management as we work 8:30-4 every weekday so accommodating us has never been an issue.” -Mo Rahman
You can read more about working with our team by reading our client testimonials.
Begin Herniated Disc Treatment in Marco Island
You shouldn’t have to suffer from pain that is manageable through a variety of treatments. At Naples Community Injury Center, our doctors and physical therapists are dedicated to providing personalized care for people suffering from herniated discs. Our options for surgery, alternative therapies, and pain management can help you heal and get back to living your best life.
Our team has over 60 years of collective experience. If you are suffering from a herniated disc, call us at (239) 631-5445. We can discuss your condition and explore your options for treatment and pain management.
