Your spine is made up of vertebrae, or bony segments, that are cushioned by small discs that have a hard outer layer and a soft inner nucleus. A herniated disc occurs when the disc is compressed and the soft nucleus squeezes out and irritates surrounding tissue and nerves, resulting in pain or numbness in the back and down the leg. Nonsurgical treatment for a herniated disc involves decompression of the disc, which allows the disc sufficient room to properly reposition itself.
Inversion Therapy
Inversion therapy is a treatment in which you are either inverted on a table or suspended from a horizontal bar. The therapy may be done at home with an inversion table or performed at a chiropractor's office. The inversion therapy separates the vertebra from the disc, allowing for temporary relief of the herniated disc. People with high blood pressure, glaucoma or heart disease should not undergo inversion therapy.
Traction
Spinal traction separates the vertebrae through pulleys and straps. The procedure is performed in a chiropractor's office as you lie on a table, and straps are put around your neck and chin to hold your head in place. Harnesses are strapped to your chest and hips. These are set to pull continuously for 15 to 20 minutes or intermittently for several minutes on and off for a period of 20 minutes. Your doctor selects the amount of weight for each pulling session. It's standard to increase the weight by 10 lb. each subsequent session.
Back Brace
Your doctor may recommend wearing a back brace. A back brace keeps vertebrae in alignment, helping to decompress a squeezed disc. The brace also keeps the back warm, which promotes good blood circulation and healing.
Massage
Massage therapy may be recommended to relax strained and stiffened muscles surrounding the herniated disc. Massage loosens muscles while providing decompression and extra room for discs to reposition.
See a physical therapist who can manually manipulate the spine by pulling on your ankles or neck. If the herniated disc is in the lower back, she manipulates the lower part of your body. If the painful disc is in the upper back area, she concentrates on your neck and head. You lie on a table as the therapist gently pulls each ankle or the neck and head, releasing pressure and decompressing the spine.
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