Alternative treatment for a herniated disk
Doctors will agree that surgery is often a last resort when it comes to a herniated (slipped) disk. There are many ways to treat the problem with medication before it comes to that point, but there are also alternative ways to heal the condition. Not all of these methods have been doctor or FDA approved; make sure to talk to your physician before changing your vitamins, supplements or life habits.
Vitamins
Vitamin C can help with the inflammation present in a herniated disk and it can also help to support and heal the problem. Vitamin C is absorbed more efficiently when there are bioflavonoids present, so make sure to supplement those as well. Vitamin E can improve the rate of recovery after an injury and it will reduce inflammation, prevent free-radical damage and rapidly repair damaged tissue. Nerve irritation can be lessened by supplementing the B vitamins, especially B12, which is very important for the functioning of the nerves and nervous tissues. Bromelain, which can be found in pineapples, can be used to remove inflammation and speed up the rate of recovery.
Herbs
For herbal compresses, it is recommended to use moist, hot chamomile compresses, herbal horsetail packs or herbal hay flower compresses. You simply place them on the affected area and they can bring a quick reduction in pain and an improvement in the blood circulation. Chamomile can also be taken as a tea and horsetail as a capsule. Burdock is an herbal remedy that can reduce pain and help to remove toxicity from the blood. There is a lot of stress caused by such an injury, which of course, leads to increased pain. Herbal teas made from borage, lemon balm, valerian and St. John's wort can help to cut into some of those stressful feelings.
You can create a topical treatment with herbs by mixing cold-pressed olive oil with tea tree oil to relieve some of the physical symptoms. Thyme oil and rosemary oil can be similarly effective. Curcumin, whole-leaf aloe vera juice, devil's claw and feverfew also have anti-inflammatory and painkilling effects. Lastly, an interesting remedy, a hot and moist coating of mashed potato can help to relieve pain and inflammation.
Alternative Therapies
Acupuncture does not work on the herniated disk itself, but it can relieve back pain through the release of endorphins and the blockage of pain that the needle causes in the central nervous system. Chiropractic treatment can help to restore spinal movement in such a way as to improve function and lessen pain. Some doctors, however, recommend against using chiropractic care to help a herniated disk. Massage therapy can also be used to help relieve lower back pain, though the relief may not last long after each session. Ideally, this type of treatment can help you restore muscle length and allow you to participate in activities that you had avoided since the herniated disk was diagnosed.
Tags: herniated disk, back pain, help relieve, help restore, make sure, rate recovery