A slipped disk is a serious back injury that can result in pain, discomfort and an inability to live life to its fullest. For this reason, it’s essential to receive immediate medical treatment if you have reason to believe you’re facing this injury.
Before discussing the best treatment strategy, it’s critical to make note of serious side effects that require special attention:
- Inability to move a body part
- Weakness in the arms and/or legs
- Tingling or numbness of the inner, upper thighs
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
While these symptoms aren’t typically associated with a slipped disk, they can come into play with a serious injury.
Here are four treatment tips:
- Treat the pain: Don’t assume you can do this at home before receiving medical advice. A doctor will examine you, while also running a variety of tests, such as an X-ray, to get a closer look at what’s happening. They can then help you manage the pain, such as with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and cold compresses.
- Get rest: Pushing yourself with a slipped disk in your back could lead to a more serious injury, with more serious side effects. Bed rest is typically required to make a full recovery. Your doctor may suggest that you rest for a period of several days (or weeks), while keeping a close eye on your symptoms.
- Stay in touch with your doctor: If your symptoms don’t improve, your doctor may want to run additional tests to find out what’s happening and if a different treatment plan is necessary.
- Consider other treatment options: If rest doesn’t eliminate your pain completely, back surgery followed by rehabilitation may be the next best option.
Since no two people are the same, no two people react in an identical manner to a slipped disk. This is why you need to put your trust in your medical team.
Once you know your prognosis, it’s time to decide what to do next in regard to your personal and professional life. For example, if you’re unable to return to work right away, learn more about the workers’ compensation system and whether you qualify for benefits in California. You’ll want to take advantage of all the compensation available to you, as it’ll make your recovery a little bit easier.
