We at the Illinois Back Institute are often asked: “I have a herniated disc. What do I need to do?”

Well, the goal is to try to eliminate the herniated disc and stop the severe pain that is interfering with you living your life. When you are diagnosed with a herniated disc, there is a typical process that you will go through, and you may find yourself on this path. It’s important to know what these steps are so you can make the best decisions about your future. One wrong step can lead to back pain that can change your life forever. This path can be a slippery slope, so awareness is vital.

Standard Course For Herniated Disc Treatment

The standard course of care for herniated disc treatment typically starts when you are first diagnosed with a herniated disc. At this point, your doctor will:

  1. Prescribe different medications for the pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. You will probably rest and take medicine for a week to monitor your pain. If this does not alleviate your pain, the next step is physical therapy.
  2. You will spend 2 to 3 days a week for about six weeks going to physical therapy. The goal would again be pain relief, decreased inflammation, and to make you feel better. The physical therapist will try to accomplish this by working with your muscles and giving you some electric stimulation along with hot and cold packs. Some patients will find some relief, but unfortunately, many who suffer from a herniated disc will not. If this therapy does not work, there are several different paths you can take.
  3. Some may consult with a chiropractor. The chiropractor’s goal will be similar to the physical therapist’s, but they will try to work with the joints of the spine to take some pressure off the discs. This helps with the pain and symptoms associated with the herniated disc. If this doesn’t work, your prognosis will determine your next step on your path.
  4. If you are still under the care of your doctor, the next step is typically to go to a specialist for pain management. The treatment of choice by this specialist is usually epidural shots. The goal is to eliminate the inflammation deep inside the spine that is being caused by the herniated disc. You will typically get 3 or 4 shots, and if your pain persists, you will be considered for the next level of care, the surgeon.
  5. Your doctor will then send you to a surgeon that they trust. After you consult with a surgeon, you will have to make some big decisions about what you want to do. They may or may not recommend you have surgery. However, if you have gone through all of the above steps (1-4) and have not gotten better, it is very common that your surgeon will recommend you have surgery.

What if You Don’t Get Surgery?

Now, the possibility exists that you shouldn’t get the surgery. Everybody has to make the decisions that make the most sense for them. Because most back surgery decisions are not life or death, they are considered an elective procedure. This means, in the end, it’s your choice whether you want it or not.

What are your other options, and what is the sixth option mentioned in the headline?

6. Here at the Illinois Back Institute, we offer treatment specifically designed to eliminate the pain associated with the herniated disc. The treatment is good for any back pain that has not gotten better with other therapies. The reason the process is so good is because it is the only treatment that heals the disc when it is damaged. The back pain in the above scenario will be the result of damage to the disc. Once we eliminate the damage to the disc, the pain should go away.

Contact the Illinois Back Institute For Help With Your Herniated Disc Treatment

For more information about our herniated disc treatment, contact us to set up an appointment. With our help, we’ll develop a specialized procedure designed to treat what’s causing you back pain, allowing you to get back to the life that you love.