How to Deal with a Slipped Disk

I was just standing by the kitchen counter, doing absolutely nothing, when a sudden sharp pain shot from my lower back down into my thigh. The pain was so excruciating that I almost fell over. I found it difficult to walk the four or five steps to the nearest chair. I've hurt my back before, but the pain was usually the result of twisting wrong or straining the muscles. This pain was different, radiating down into my legs. It was so sudden, so severe and so unexpected that I was a bit scared.

After visiting the doctor, I discovered why this felt so different: I had experienced a slipped disk, or herniated disk.

Definition

The disks are cushions between the sections of your spinal cord. They are pretty tough but do occasionally break, resulting in pain, numbness or weakness. I learned that some people who experience slipped disks have no symptoms at all.

Treatment

For me, the treatment was easy but frustrating: ibuprofen and rest. I rested with an ice pack against my low back to help relieve swelling, and that combined with the ibuprofen helped ease the pain from my herniated disk. My work requires me to sit for extended periods, which is better than having to do something like lift hay bales all day long but isn't good for a herniated disk, either. So I made myself get up and walk around for a couple of minutes every half hour or so. After I finished working, I would lie down for about an hour, on my back, but not much more than an hour to keep the muscles from stiffening up.

Longer term

Luckily for me, the pain eased within a few days and I was able to return basically to my normal routine. If the pain from a slipped disk is so severe that you can't rest, your doctor may prescribe stronger painkillers and/or muscle relaxants to help with spasms. Pain that lasts even longer may be dealt with through cortisone injections. My mother finally resorted to this extreme and felt better almost immediately after weeks of agonizing.

Prevention

I've also had to make some changes to try to prevent further issues with herniated disks. I've lost weight and adopted a regular exercise routine, both of which are helpful. I include both cardiovascular and weight training in my daily workout, being careful not to overstrain the muscles, particularly in my back.

When I sit, I try to be certain I sit straight to the television or computer or whatever, not twisting my torso. I keep my feet flat on the floor to avoid twisting, as well, or when up on a footrest, parallel to each other.

Complications

I also have experienced no further complications, but I learned that other problems can certainly arise from a slipped disk such as bladder and bowel function issues, loss of feeling in the legs and pain so severe that you can't function. I'm hoping my daily changes will prevent such complications and perhaps keep me from experiencing another herniated disk.

References

"Herniated Disk." Mayo Clinic. Mayoclinic.com.