Non-Surgical Relief For Herniated Discs In New Jersey, NY

Understanding How A Herniated Disc Develops

Spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Each disc has a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a soft, gel-like center known as the nucleus pulposus. A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer tears, allowing some of the inner material to escape. This can put pressure on nearby spinal nerves or the spinal cord, leading to localized pain at the site and radiating symptoms such as tingling, numbness, weakness, or pain in the arms or legs.

Herniated discs are sometimes called slipped or ruptured discs, though these terms can be misleading. Unlike a disc bulge, where the inner material remains contained, a herniated disc involves a breach in the disc wall, allowing the internal gel to move outside its normal boundaries.

How Is a Herniated Disc Treated?

Initial treatment for a herniated disc often includes conservative measures such as physical therapy, acupuncture, prescription medications, or epidural steroid injections. While steroid injections may help reduce inflammation and pain temporarily, repeated use can affect healthy tissue and may interfere with the body’s natural repair processes.If symptoms persist, surgery may be recommended to remove part of the herniated disc. While this approach may reduce pressure on nearby nerves, it can also compromise the structural integrity of the disc, increasing the risk of future injury. In more advanced cases, spinal fusion may be suggested. This procedure involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae with hardware, which can reduce motion but may also place additional stress on the surrounding segments over time.

Recovery Timeline For Herniated Discs Without Surgery

At Rehabilitation Medicine Center of New Jersey, NY, many patients with herniated discs find that symptoms improve naturally over time. Research indicates that for a majority of individuals, pain from a herniated disc may decrease on its own as inflammation subsides and the body adapts. Staying active, as tolerated, and managing symptoms conservatively are often part of the initial care approach.

For those who continue to experience significant or long-lasting pain, including lower back pain, leg discomfort, or tingling and numbness in the feet, additional treatment may be necessary. In these cases, surgery is not the only option.

Physicians in the licensed Regenexx network at our clinic offer image-guided procedures using Regenexx lab processes. These non-surgical procedures aim to reduce inflammation and support the body’s natural repair mechanisms, typically with less downtime, minimal reliance on opioids, and little to no interruption to daily activities.

Text placed below the video: Regenexx PL Injectate: Avoiding the harmful side effects of epidural steroids and back surgery