Dr. Mark Wang is a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon. He dedicates his full attention to working together with his patients to identify their pain source and find the least invasive treatment that works for them.View Bio April 19, 2022
Up to 2% of adults in the United States experience herniated discs annually. That number may seem small at first glance, but it accounts for almost 7 million people! If you experience a herniated disc, you are likely familiar with the frustrations and pains this condition can cause. As you deal with the troubles of a herniated disc, it is common to wonder if your herniated disc can be fixed without surgery.
Fortunately, doctors have many options to treat a herniated disc before surgery. If surgery is necessary, there are many minimally invasive treatment options for a bulging or herniated disc. We’ve compiled 11 different treatment options for herniated discs to show how doctors treat this condition.
Non-Surgical Treatments for a Herniated Disc
Approximately 70% to 80% of individuals will experience lower back pain at some point, but most do not need surgery. The same applies to herniated discs. Here are some common non-surgical treatments for a herniated disc that your doctor will pursue before surgery.
1. Physical Therapy
In the past, medical advice for herniated discs was to rest in bed for one to two weeks. Medical doctors have since shifted their stance, agreeing that staying active is far more essential to your body’s ability to recover. While some rest is acceptable and necessary, you should try to be active as much as possible.
It can be confusing to know how much activity is enough or too much on your own. A physical therapist (PT) can help you understand how much you should be exercising. They will:
