Slipped disc treatments
The common causes of a slipped disc
There are several structures that form a spine. We have nerves, muscles, ligaments, blood vessels, bone (vertebrae) and discs. The discs sit between most of the vertebra to create a bone-disc-bone sandwich. A disc sits between bone to absorb shock and allow flexibility of the spine.
A disc has quite often been described to be like a doughnut with a jam centre or a balloon filled with water or like toothpaste tube full of toothpaste. The toothpaste tube is a good comparison because it has a harder outer layer and a material on the inside similar to toothpaste consistency.
A "slipped disc" is not a very accurate label and really a bulging disc is a better description. If someone has an accident or picks up or moves inappropriately, the toothpaste material in the disc bulges depending on where the pressure is - just like in a toothpaste tube. As it bulges sideways or backwards or frontwards, the bulging bit of the disc presses against a nearby nerve and then pain is felt. This pain can be felt in the back and often down a limb or both or just in the limb. It varies for everyone.
Slipped disc treatment
During the acute stage, people just need to adopt a comfortable position. If really unbearable, a visit to the doctor for medication to relieve muscle spasm, reduce the nerve pain or just pain killers/anti-inflammatories, is an option. If there are any particular tasks that make the back or especially the limb pain worse, then this activity or position needs to be stopped/modified until things improve. If the area feels hot and inflammed then ice packs might work (make sure you do not put ice directly onto your skin). During treatment, electrotherapy/machines can be used to help reduce pain and further inflammation. There are also exercises that can help as well as manual therapy (i.e. massage and mobilisation). The best thing however is to seek advice.
If left untreated or ignored, the disc bulge might get worse and therefore cause more pain and irritation but also other pains might start developing as the body compensates. In general you will get better but with advice, comfort can be gained more quickly.