Over time, the natural wear-and-tear on our bodies or an injury can cause chronic aches and pains to develop. Some of the most severe and vexing problems are disc degeneration and herniations. When this happens, the soft inner section can protrude out of the herniation (tear) and cause constant irritation on nearby nerves.

The spinal discs are the protective shock-absorbers between each set of two adjacent bones in the spine. When the tough outer layer of the disc (annulus) develops a tear, and so the inner portion of the disc pushes outward, it can cause a herniated disc which can press on or irritate a nerve – resulting in constant pain, numbness, or weakness. Because the spinal cord communicates virtually all sensations throughout the body, the effects of a herniated disc can radiate elsewhere, not just back pain.

There are numerous techniques to help you manage and treat herniated disc pain. Let’s talk about how some of them work, and where you can go in Caldwell for nonsurgical herniated disc relief.

Conservative Methods for Herniated Disc Relief

The simplest form of treatment for herniated discs involves modification of activities to avoid movement that causes pain and/or pain medication, such as:

• Nonprescription pain medications. For mild to moderate pain, your doctor may recommend acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin Ibuprofen), or naproxen (Aleve).
• Neuropathic medicine. These treatments are designed to affect nerve impulses in order to decrease your pain. These medicines include gabapentin (Gralise, Horizant, Neurontin), pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle), or venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
• Muscle relaxers. Your doctor may prescribe this type of medicine if you are having muscle spasms. However, they come with side effects, such as sleepiness and dizziness.
• Cortisone injections. If oral medications prove ineffective to provide herniated disc relief, your doctor may recommend and administer a corticosteroid injection directly into the painful area of your back that is experiencing the herniated disc.

Nonsurgical Ozone Disc Injection for Back Pain Relief

If you have a painful disc herniation and you don’t want to have back surgery, or if surgery has failed to relieve your pain, consider nonsurgical ozone disc injection treatment. The ozone disc injection procedure not only treats disc herniations effectively but also contributes to the long-term health of discs by:

• Stimulating the cells in the annulus to increase in number, which thereby has the potential to repair the tear (herniation) in the disc
• Signaling your own body’s stem cells to mobilize to the area and repair damaged cells
• Improving the ability of the cells in the disc to cope with oxidative stress
• Decreasing inflammation
• Improving blood flow to the area
• Increasing lymphatic drainage

Some herniated disc sufferers require surgery, however, surgery has significant risks and potential complications. There also is the danger of developing what is known as failed back surgery syndrome, which can result in more severe pain after surgery.

Unlike spine surgery, the ozone disc injection treatment does not cause major trauma to your body. Nor does it irreversibly alter your anatomy in any way, as opposed to surgery, which can lead to future problems such as accelerated disc degeneration and further back pain.

Since it does not alter the disc anatomy, the ozone disc injection procedure can be safely repeated if necessary, and the beneficial effect is cumulative. However, thanks to its high success rate, it is uncommon for patients to have a repeat of the ozone disc injection procedure.

Herniated Disc Relief in Caldwell, New Jersey

Dr. Warren Bleiweiss is a triple board-certified physician and pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine. He has helped countless patients enjoy herniated disc relief via oxygen-ozone injection therapy, and he can do the same for you.

To learn more about this innovative approach to herniated disc pain relief, call Alternative Disc Therapy today at (973) 403-3334 for a consultation with Dr. Bleiweiss, or fill out our request for an appointment form online now. We also offer telemedicine appointments for your convenience. We look forward to serving you!