How To Prevent And Treat A Herniated Disc

Muscle Relaxant Medication

An individual who experiences a herniated disc may need to take muscle relaxant medication. A spinal disc can move from its place between the vertebrae and cause a nearby nerve to become pinched or compressed. When a nerve is compressed, the impulses sent to and from the muscles in the affected area become interrupted. When nerve impulses are disrupted, the muscles can contract and relax at inappropriate times. These contractions are referred to as spasms and can cause an individual to experience discomfort and pain. Muscle relaxants work by reducing the activity of the muscle contractions, which stops the spasms that occur due to the compressed nerve. Common muscle relaxants used in the treatment of a herniated disc are carisoprodol, diazepam, methocarbamol, cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, and orphenadrine. Muscle relaxants are usually only used for a brief period, as they are known to cause physical dependence.

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Pain Medication

An individual who experiences a herniated disc will most likely require the use of non-prescription or prescription pain medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications help reduce the inflammation in the body tissues. Because individuals who have experienced a herniated disc experience pain due to the nearby nerves being compressed, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help alleviate this inflammatory pain by a reduction in swelling. The most common types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories used in individuals who have a herniated disc include naproxen and ibuprofen. Some individuals have a herniated disc that causes actual damage to a neighboring nerve that produces a level of pain that cannot be treated effectively with the use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications alone. In these cases, prescription pain relievers can be used for a short period to help relieve the pain. Narcotic pain relievers are only used in severe cases because these medications are known to be addictive.

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