Can a herniated disk go away by itself

I am 23 years old. I started having symptoms for numb leg, for a lack of a better word. I pretty much cant feel temperature or pain as good as the other leg. I have tried that with packs of ice, hot or cold water stream and pinching myself with a needle just to test the difference. I have no pain, just discomfort and sometimes when I tilt my neck forward I would feel a small burn in my foot. I thought it would go away, but it did not. It slowly progressed up my leg. I went to see doctors for first time back in October 2010, then finally the bad news came to me right before this Christmas. I have a 'small disc protrusion/herniation and a swollen area right adjacent from it that is probably because of the herniation according to my doctor'. This is in the thoracic part of the spine between T3 and T4.

I am suppose to talk to neurosurgeon soon for consultation. I am not sure what they are going to say yet. I am really worried about doing a surgery. I am also worried that if I did not do a surgery this will keep getting worse. From what I keep reading online is that these disc herniation are not common in the thoracic part of the spine and that disc herniation does not go away (like fully recover) with physical therapy, chiropractor...etc.

Also, not one person, according to online, have had surgery for some sort of disc herniation anywhere and did not have any complications afterwards either in long or short term. So I am left here to live with what I have and accept farther progression or worsening of my condition or have surgery and deal with complications later. God I have not idea what to do. It seems like there is no way to fully recover...Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Hi i am guest here - i have had it all - at 35 yrs age i had l5s1 and l4/5 center line discoptomy - l5s1 did not work and the disc kept slipping - so i had to have fusion with pedicle and screw .that was at the age of 37 - i still get slipped discs now and by good the still hurt - i can still walk and play golf but i am unable to plan anything these days - due to slipping discs NB all this was done in the private arena -
If there is consultant out there who could help please advise - i am now 43 and really p----d off
Further from the 2and operation i have a damaged root nerve due to scare tissue Pls help
Thanks

I have been diagnosed with herniated discs in L4 and L5. I have been getting epideral shots. I had two in the past month and a half. The first shot was not effective and I ended up on the floor of my bathroom in screaming yelping pain about two weeks after the shot. I went to the emergency room and they gave me morphine. The morphine seemed to take the edge off for a few hours. I was then scheduled for another dr. appt. at my spine surgeon whe had me get another spinal shot. So far this one has been working for about two weeks. I can still feel the pain coming thru but not nearly as bad as before. Does anyone know when these go away on their own or do you have to have surgery?

 

if it is going to go away on its own, it will be within the first six weeks of the onset of symptoms. physical therapy is usually the first treatment, stereoid shots if the pain is worse, and finally surgery if the first two treatments do not work. understand that none of these options actually repairs the disc... that can only happen on its own. these three treatments only alleviate the pain for the patient. i am not aware of any clinically proven supplement or diet that improves the rate of repair of the disc.

i had a bulging disc in my neck that started giving me pain around 8months ago. I am a healthy 38yr old but admittedly i have not been kind to my spine in the past playing rugby through my teens and 20's then mountain biking including the inevitable falls and head injuries. All in all i don't think i've helped myself. My issues started with pains down the back of my left arm with eventual numbness and pins and needles in both hands and excrutiating pain in my left elbow. This went on for some time and i started seeing an Osteopath who gave me very welcomed massage and stretching exercises. After an eventual MRI it was found that i had a bulging disc at C5/C4 that was pressing on a nerve.

Now 8 months on i am out of pain with the exception of some stiffness in my neck on a morning and after exercise. I am back on my bike (despite being told by my doctor i'd never cycle again!) albeit only riding roads at the moment. I put my recovery down to careful pain control using NSAIDs and weekly visits to my Osteopath. I understand that i probably wasn't suffering as badly as some of you poor souls who have posted here and i was lucky that i didn't need surgery, but if you can stand the pain and are told by your doctor that surgery is not, or rather shouldn't be an option, stay positive and you should get better. A website i read said that around 90% of people suffering these sorts of complaints will make a significant recovery within 6 months; in my case i can vouch for that.

im 18 years old, i have bulging disc / herniated basically the same. from bad posture at working sitting all day is what caused it, i was having foot pain never the less no back pain, until i got off the cat scan machine too fast, it was in my l4-5 l5 s1 been two weeks since my back pain was terribly hurting, now im in minor back pain and the P.T said no nerve pain/ immobility and im doing these stupid exercises but it works, i ship out in 34 days to the army and they said since its minor ill be fine. i have faith and hope in everything

I'm 27 years old and recently found out that I have a herniated L5-S1 disc.  I've been dealing with what I thought was hip pain for what is now 6 months.  This past February I reached a boiling point to where I could no longer tolerate the pain which was nearly constant (7-10/10) and I was experiencing nerve issues in the back of my leg, calf and foot.  To discover the real cause was almost a relief.  Through scouring the internet for information I DO NOT believe that surgery is necessary what so ever.  Since I found out about my injury I have been taking aggressive steps towards healing.  First off it takes a positive outlook to carry on.  I rely daily on Christ Jesus for strength of mind and body.  Second, posture is an important aspect of relieving pain.  I got a standing desk at work and and focus on keeping my core tight.  This develops muscle over time that takes pressure off of the vertebral discs.  Avoid sitting when possible as this puts more body weight/pressure on the discs.  When you do sit, sit straight up and tighten the core.  This will be awkward at first, but as you develop muscle it will become easier.  When walking, keep your chest up and don't lean forward.  Focus on posture all the time!  In the past 4 weeks since my diagnosis this has helped me tremendously.  I've recently started exercising as the pain has reduced.  Search the internet for exercises.  Core strength and back extension are critical.  Try to do aerobic exercise if possible.  I've noticed that doing the stair stepper at the gym followed my exercise loosens muscles up that are guarding my back.  When dealing with pain, try ice.  I was doing this hourly the first week or so since my diagnosis and it helps to cut down on the inflammation.  Inflammation will increase if you do things to cause pain.  Do not bend over!  If you have difficultly sleeping this is likely because the herniated disc is filling with fluid.  During the first 1-2 hours of the day of standing the discs lose 80-90% of their water volume.  When the disc is filled it will expand and press on nerves.  The first few hours of the morning are the worst for me but aren't nearly as bad as they used to be.  Hang in there.  You HAVE to stick with it and keep pressing on.  There is no natural "quick fix."

hi all.. i know the last post was a while ago, but i'm desperate. it is not me with the herniated disc and sciatic pain, it is my fiance. i can't pretend to know what the pain is like - after reading these previous posts, i now have a better idea of what he is going through. He is 27, as am I, and we do not have much money. I am trying to finish a bachelor's degree and relying on scholarships and loans to pay for everything. he is currently a laborer for a construction company and is working for about 13 dollars an hour. he has his own insurance that he bought; it is not through the company - since he is just an hourly worker he is not eligible for their benefits. right now, the company made him take unpaid medical leave. they will hold his job for two weeks, but after that he will be out of a job. not only am i fearful for his health and well-being, but we are both scared that he will be completely out of a job if he does not get better. he started physical therapy, but there is no major improvement. he says his back is better, but it's the sciatic/leg pain that is really plaguing him now. does anyone have any advice about this? on top of all of this, i am leaving for an internship for the summer out of state and i'm so worried that i won't be around. i am so worried for him and us and the future.. any advice is so appreciated..

I am on my third rotation of back pain. Same thing i waited way to long to do anything and was bent over like an 80 year old man. the pain was so severe that i wanted to be alone an do nothing but wait for the next rush of pain killer to mask the issue, which i barely does as you know,. I want you to see this process in Germany. I am thinking of doing this as we speak. I am a very competitive golfer and have won several regional events but can no longer even play.

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hey, i came across your post while i was looking into the pain associated with the herniated discs. i am 33 and currently have 3 in my back. i have lived hard 5 months since the pain started and i reached a point where i was crying and wish that something will take the incredible pain in my leg away. all the nerves in ,y leg were hurting.
anyway, i hope things are better with you and the pain is controlled. i don't know you but i was touched with your story and i wanted to say that even though the pain gets unbearable, try to think of the good things you have. I have tried a chiropractor and he kept putting my hip in place and it definitely helped with the pain. i wish you can find a good chiropractor and see if it will help with you. good luck

A neuro is going to check for MS-- I had the exact symptoms numbness, inability to feel temperature, stabbing pain legs- everyone thought it was my discs - went to the hospital .... Multiple Sclerosis! I'm now doing great meds suck but I play volleyball, hike and play with my eight year old!! Good luck

Acupunture! Have herneated c2/3, c5/6 and had a disc replacement on c/4/5. Upper back pain around T 4/5. Acupunture has helped. Only been 4 times so far. It takes away headaches and pain. I am beginning to have some kind of hope! Also the power of Praying to Jesus Christ Our Lord!

Thank you i needed that! Im a mother of two and works full time!! This has been a very testing time for our family.

First thing you need to do is seek psychological counseling. Chronic pain is a vicious cycle. Depression feeds pain and pain feeds depression.you HAVE to find a way to break the cycle in a healthy way (NOT cutting, etc) so that your mind can be occupied with something other than pain 24/7. My chronic pain comes from multiple herniated disks, failed surgeries, arachnoiditis, spina bifida when born, I could go on and on, but I definitely know what I am talking about when it comes to physical and emotional pain. Break the cycle and get your mind in the right place or you will always be in the black pit that pain puts you in.

Everytime I type in slipped disc it comes up herniated??? Mine has slipped inwards l4/5 I'm in pain constantly and I don't seem to get any help from doctors or hospital I'm 24 years old but I have a problem I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant I have been suffering for a while now and nothing seems to ease the pain. It's getting to the point where I cannot walk more than 5 steps without the urgent need to sit down. Even sitting is a problem now... I spend most of my time in bed. Any advice is much appreciated. Emma