Treatment Overview

Your doctor may recommend a short period of rest or reduced activity followed by a gradual increase in activity.

Usually a herniated disc heals on its own. So most of the time nonsurgical treatment is tried first, including:

• Heat or ice, exercise, and other steps at home to help with pain and make your back stronger. For more information, see Home Treatment.
• Physical therapy. For more information, see Other Treatment.
• Pain medicine. For more information, see Medications.

Surgery

Surgery is eventually done for about 1 out of every 10 people. It can be a good choice for people who have nerve damage that is getting worse or pain that hasn't improved after at least 4 weeks of nonsurgical treatment.¹ For more information, see Surgery.

Prevention

To help prevent low back pain or a herniated disc:

• Stay ata healthy body weight. This may reduce the load on your lower back. For information on staying at a healthy weight, see the topic Weight Management.
• Exerciseregularly.
• Quit smoking. Nicotine can harm the discs in your back, because it lowers the ability of the discs to absorb the nutrients they need to stay healthy. And it may cause them to become dry and brittle. See the topic Quitting Smoking.
• Practicegood posture. Follow these tips:
  • Use good posture while standing or walking.
  • Sit in the neutral position.
  • Keep your back in the neutral position while sleeping.
  • Use proper lifting techniques.