A herniated disc can be intensely painful and sometimes debilitating. Activities as simple as sitting, driving a car, or sneezing can make your pain even worse. This can hold you back from doing the things you love, and might make it hard for you to go to work or spend quality time with your family.
While herniated discs can be treated with surgery, this option is invasive and can be very expensive. With the exception of severe cases, most doctors will often recommend other treatments first, like physical therapy and medication.
At Spine & Joint Center, we offer a range of minimally-invasive therapies that can help alleviate the symptoms of herniated discs and encourage natural healing. Here are some treatment options you might consider to reduce your pain and improve your quality of life.
Medical acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that has proven effective for many patients. The treatment uses hair-thin needles to target nerve centers in the body, stimulating them to release tension in muscles and reduce pain. Medical acupuncture is acupuncture performed by a medical doctor who has also had thorough training in acupuncture as a specialty.
When performed by an experienced practitioner, acupuncture is usually painless, and often leaves patients with a feeling of relaxation and overall wellbeing. Many patients report a noticeable reduction in pain after just one session, helping them get back on their feet.
Regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine utilizes the body’s natural ability to heal itself by providing injured areas with an injected boost of regenerative cells. There are several forms of regenerative medicine, including:
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Non-embryonic stem cell therapy
- Prolotherapy
These safe and non-surgical treatments have helped many patients experience a significant reduction in pain. Unlike surgery, regenerative medicine does not have a long recovery period, and patients often return to work the very next day.
Injection therapy
Injection therapy is another treatment option that can help relieve the symptoms of a herniated disc. Using state of the art imaging guiding technology, the specialist will inject regenerative cells, epidural steroids, and other medicines into the space between your vertebrae and spinal nerve to treat the swelling of the disc. Injection therapy is minimally invasive and can provide long-lasting relief from pain.
If a herniated disc is affecting your quality of life, it’s time to explore treatment options. To find out more about any of the alternative therapies we offer, contact us today.