The only way to cure herniated disks is surgery, which removes the part of the intravertebral disc that is pressed. However, in most cases, the treatment of herniated disks does not even include surgery, as it is almost always possible to relieve pain and inflammation with only physiotherapy sessions.
This means that while the person may continue to have a herniated disk, they will no longer feel pain and there will be no risk of complications. Therefore, physical therapy is the most common type of treatment for herniated disks because it relieves symptoms and does not present the risks normally associated with surgery, such as bleeding or infection.
Understand more in this video how herniated disk treatment works
Physical therapy for herniated disks varies depending on each person’s symptoms and limitations. First, it is necessary to treat local pain, inflammation and discomfort, and to achieve this goal several sessions of passive physiotherapy may be necessary, using devices and the use of anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by the doctor.
When these symptoms are eliminated, the person can already perform another type of more intense physiotherapy and combine sessions of osteopathy and integral postural rehabilitation (RPG), pilates or hydrotherapy techniques as a way to keep the intervertebral disc in place, which has shown good results in reducing symptoms.
Physiotherapy sessions should preferably be held 5 days a week, with rest on weekends. The total duration of treatment varies from person to person, because while in some cases symptoms may be relieved within one month of treatment, others require more sessions, depending on the severity of the injury.
See more details about physiotherapy treatment for herniated disks
Surgery to treat herniated disks is usually only appropriate for very severe cases, where damage to the intervertebral disc is very important, at the time of treatment, the use of medications and physiotherapy is not enough to relieve symptoms.
This surgery is performed by the orthopedist or neurosurgeon, under general anesthesia, as part of a procedure that removes the affected intervertebral disc. This procedure can also be done using laparoscopy, in which a thin tube is inserted into the skin with a camera at the end.
The hospitalization time is fast, usually 1 to 2 days, but it is necessary to rest about 1 week at home, and the use of a collar or vest may be indicated to maintain posture during this period. More intense activities, such as physical exercise, are released after 1 month of surgery.
See how surgery is done, how healing goes, and what the risks are.