Suggest Treatment For Pain In Back From A Herniated Disk

Posted on Mon, 26 May 2014

Question: I have pain in my back from a herniated disk off and on for years. I have never sought pain medicine for it but it is getting worse all the time. Would I be eligible for pain management in some form that wouldn't turn me into a zombie and I could continue working.

Answered by Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Epidural injection shot can give relief for longer

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

If MRI spine shows any nerve compression. Medication like methylcobalamine with muscle relaxant and analgesic will reduce pain; you can take them consulting your treating doctor.

Once the pain reduces, I suggest you do some exercises
- Spine extension exercises, lying on your stomach flat lift leg 6 inches from ground, do it for other leg. Now lift both hand and leg simultaneously, 6 inch off the ground and stay
Position for around 10 breathes.
- Core stabilizing spine exercises will help.

You can also try physiotherapy techniques such as TENS, or ultrasound.

If all these are not very effective, I would choose to treat you with epidural injections. Epidural shots can give relief for longer duration and has no ill effects of pain medicines.

I will advise to check your vit B12 and vit D3 level.

You should also discuss the option of surgical decompression with your treating surgeon.

Hope this answers your query. If you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Take care.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad