Pain from a herniated disc can make life difficult. Fortunately, most disc herniations are best treated with conservative therapies like activity modification, physical therapy, and back-friendly workouts.
Leia Rispoli, MD, with offices in Marina Del Rey and Newport Beach, California, is double board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. She uses her extensive medical skills and training to relieve pain, restore mobility, and prevent future injury.
Read more from Dr. Rispoli and her team about getting active after disc herniation.
A disc herniates when the soft, gel-like center of the disc bulges or ruptures through the tough outer layer. Chronic degenerative changes, traumatic injury, or overuse during home, sports, or work activities can lead to disc herniation.
For instance, repetitive heavy or inappropriate lifting techniques at work or home and during exercise can cause herniation. Degenerative changes that cause the disc to thin, dry out, or crack, allowing the inner substance to push through, are often related to aging.
Depending on where and how the disc herniates, symptoms can include sharp, burning pain in neck or back, and numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. This is caused by disc material pressing against and irritating nearby nerves.
Disc herniations occur most frequently in the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). Treatment goals include reducing nerve inflammation to relieve discomfort and restore pain-free mobility.
Dr. Rispoli is also committed to preventing future problems by designing a rehab program that supports and strengthens spine health, including back-friendly activities.
Significant back pain or neck pain related to a herniated disc typically resolves within several days. However, underlying conditions or habits like poor lifting techniques may remain. This leaves you vulnerable to recurrent or worsening pain.
Dr. Rispoli starts with a comprehensive evaluation that pinpoints the cause of your symptoms. Her first goal is to relieve your pain, which may include medication or injection-based treatments (epidural steroid injections) to reduce inflammation.
You may also benefit from regenerative medicine therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. For debilitating or persistent pain, she may suggest a nerve block or spinal cord stimulation (SCS).
Dr. Rispoli then develops a personalized rehab plan to improve posture, strengthen muscles, and increase flexibility so you can safely return to routine activities and more vigorous exercise.
Rest is a crucial component of the healing process, but in most cases, Dr. Rispoli recommends modifying rather than avoiding activity. Complete bed rest is rarely recommended for back problems since this can interfere with recovery.
Instead, for disc problems, she typically advises lifting restrictions and refraining from high-impact exercise like running or jumping to give your spine time to recover.
However, walking, swimming, cycling, and other low-impact routines help speed healing by restoring circulation and improving supportive muscle strength and flexibility.
Start slowly to minimize strain on your spine and increase your workout intensity as you improve. Even 10-15 minutes of walking as tolerated can help improve blood flow and speed healing.
Incorporate exercises to help ease spinal tension, reducing the risk of future disc issues. Start gently and listen to your body. Stop an activity that triggers pain and give Dr. Rispoli a call.
Maintaining good posture is crucial in preventing further injury, whether sitting, standing, or lifting. Ensure your spine stays neutral during activities and avoid slouching or rounding your back.
As a board-certified physical medicine specialist (physiatrist), Dr. Rispoli designs physical therapy (PT) and rehab programs to meet your current and future fitness goals.
Her personalized approach includes in-office PT sessions and home exercise routines that progress as you heal. This helps eliminate the guesswork about how much and what type of activity best suits your condition.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Rispoli today by calling the nearest office or requesting an appointment online.
