Over the Counter Treatments for a Herniated Disc

Over the Counter Treatments for a Herniated Disc

Many people struggle with the pain, discomfort, and loss of income that is the result of a herniated disc. Many of these people do not seek professional medical treatment, due to a lack of money, lack of insurance or simple fear of the unknown. However, for these people there are many over the counter treatments available that can help to ease pain and discomfort as well as swelling caused by a herniated disc.

The first thought for most people with a herniated disc is to relieve the pain with over the counter oral pain killers. These are typically the same pain killers that you would get by prescription when you go to your doctor’s office. The only difference is in the dosage, and you can easily take more than directed on the bottle with the permission of your doctor.

Tylenol may be taken in doses up to 900 milligrams every four to six hours. Ibuprofen can be taken in doses up to 1600 milligrams every six to eight hours. These two medications can actually be taken together, alternating ever four hours to help minimize pain and swelling. Before taking these high doses, however, you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Naproxen is another over the counter pain killer, known as Aleve, which is often prescribed for herniated disc pain, and can be taken in double doses safely.

There are also over the counter muscle relaxers that can be found in most pharmacies or herbal shops. These all herbal medications can help to reduce swelling and pain caused by the herniated disc. Some herbal medications are ingested while others, such as oil of wintergreen, are topical. Many patients have had great success and relief from their herniated disc pain with these over the counter treatments.

Other over the counter treatments can also be found for relieving pain and swelling caused by a herniated disc. These treatments are topical treatments. There are heating strips that attach to the skin and release heat slowly into the area of the back that is swollen due to the herniated disc. There are also rubs and cr

Over the Counter Treatments for a Herniated Disc