How to Heal a Herniated Disc Naturally
Herniated discs are a frequent cause of back pain in adults, especially those ranging from ages 30 to 55. In many cases, herniated discs can be treated at home without the need for surgery or medical procedures. Before beginning home herniated disc treatment, however, be sure to speak to your healthcare professional to ensure its safe.
Today, we’re exploring ways for how to heal a herniated disc naturally from the comfort of your home with a few simple lifestyle changes. We’ll have you back up and feeling your best in no time!
What Is a Herniated Disc?
Before we learn how to heal a herniated disc, what is it anyway? Your spinal column is made up of individual bones called vertebrae. In between each of those is a sort of cushion of tissue called a disc. The importance of spinal care for your overall health cannot be overstated!
In the case of a herniated disc, also often called a slipped disc or ruptured disc, the tissue of the interior part of the spine (called the nucleus) pushes through a tear in the exterior rubbery portion (known as the annulus). While a slipped disc can happen in the neck, it is most commonly experienced in the lower back and is one of the most common causes of back pain in adults.
Common symptoms of herniated discs include leg pain, lower back pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness.
How to Heal a Herniated Disc at Home
Having a herniated disc can be a very uncomfortable experience. In many cases, however, you may be able to learn how to heal a herniated disc at home through natural remedies and lifestyle changes. These home remedies for herniated discs may include:
- Cold and heat therapy
- Massage for the back or neck areas
- Using a zero gravity chair for enhanced tissue healing
- Adopting healthier eating habits for better nutrition
- Staying more active and exercising
Cold and Heat Therapy for Healing a Herniated Disc at Home
Alternating ice and heat therapy is a simple method for how to heal a herniated disc naturally. Unfortunately, this effective method is often underestimated and therefore overlooked. It’s important to apply these herniated disc healing methods in the proper order for optimal effectiveness.
Start with applying ice (or something cold) to the source of your pain. Make sure you’re wrapping the cold press in a towel or something similar and never apply it directly to your skin! Cold therapy helps constrict the blood vessels, reducing swelling and inflammation while also providing a numbing effect on the herniated disc location.
After applying a cold press for a short period and seeing a reduction in inflammation, switch to heat therapy. Heat therapy helps improve the flexibility and movement in soft tissue and muscles. It also helps improve blood circulation, which is essential for rehydrating discs and helping them heal faster.
For effective heat therapy herniated disc treatment, consider using a zero gravity chair with heat therapy features. This combines the health benefits of zero gravity chairs with the added health boosts of heat therapy.
Better still, keep reading and see why zero gravity chairs with heat therapy and massage features are an ideal pair for how to heal a herniated disc!
Healing a Herniated Disc at Home Using Massage
Massage benefits for back pain and muscle soreness are widely known. So why not try massage when you’re looking for how to heal a herniated disc?
The manipulation of your body with massage helps loosen muscle stiffness, alleviate muscle spasms that may be causing intense pain, and help blood circulate more efficiently to help heal damaged tissue.
Using zero gravity chairs with massage features and heat therapy combines these two methods for how to treat a herniated disc at home and will have you feeling better in no time! Furthermore, massage may help you sleep better while treating a herniated disc as your flexibility and mobility improve and pain lessens. These chiropractic benefits of zero gravity chairs make them indispensable for treating herniated discs.
How to Heal a Herniated Disc Using a Zero Gravity Chair
To learn how to heal a herniated disc, it’s important to keep discs hydrated to allow them to repair themselves. A great way to help enhance spinal tissue healing is using a zero gravity chair.
In the zero gravity position, your legs are elevated above your heart level and your weight distributed evenly along your body. This position reduces the excess pressure on your back and pelvic region, letting you experience spinal decompression at home. This spinal decompression helps discs rehydrate as blood circulation increases and delivers oxygen and nutrient-rich blood more easily.
As you’ve already learned, zero gravity chairs with heat therapy and massage features take these methods for how to heal a herniated disc up a notch. In addition to treating herniated discs, the benefits of zero gravity chairs for all ages mean they make perfect additions to any home and help keep the entire family feeling their best!
Healthier Eating Habits to Avoid Herniated Discs
A strong immune system is essential for how to heal a herniated disc. You can boost your immune system naturally with small lifestyle changes such as healthier eating habits for better nutrition.
The right combination of healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients can help reduce inflammation caused by herniated discs. While healthier eating habits and nutrition alone won’t heal a herniated disc, it can be a key step in preventing spinal injuries in the future.
Herniated Disc Exercises to Heal Naturally
It may sound counterintuitive but exercise can be helpful for how to heal a herniated disc naturally. Rest is essential, but can also lead to unintended muscle stiffness and loss of flexibility. Keeping muscles loose and tissue flexible can help heal slipped discs more quickly and prevent future injury, as well.
If you choose to do exercises to heal a herniated disc, try to stick with low-impact exercises so you don’t accidentally increase the damage and injure yourself further. There are a number of activities to mix with zero gravity chairs for lower back pain that can help heal your slipped disc and get you back to feeling your best! Other low impact exercises for herniated disc treatment include yoga, tai chi, or even going for a walk.
Having a slipped disc can be uncomfortable or painful. We hope our guide has helped you learn how to heal a herniated disc naturally. Simple lifestyle changes like healthier eating habits and daily exercise may help you heal up and prevent future injury. For herniated disc treatment at home, choose a zero gravity chair with heat therapy and massage features to enhance your healing and get you feeling your best in no time! Remember, however, to consult your doctor before beginning any home herniated disc treatment.
