1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or celecoxib (Celebrex), may be used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
   
   Long-term use of NSAIDs may cause stomach ulcers as well as kidney and liver problems. 
    

2. Analgesics, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can relieve pain but don’t have the anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs.
    

3. Muscle relaxants, such as methocarbamol (Robaxin), carisoprodol (Soma) and cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), may be prescribed to control muscle spasms.
    

4. Steroids may be prescribed to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the nerves. They are taken orally (as a Medrol dose pack) in a tapering dosage over a five-day period. It has the advantage of providing almost immediate pain relief within a 24-hour period.
    

5. For severe pain, opioids such as Tramadol, hydrocodone (Norco, Vicodin) or oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) can be considered. However, these medications should only be taken under careful supervision of a physician given their possible adverse effects and the potential to lead to addiction.

Some patients find chiropractic therapy, acupuncture, trigger point injection, acupressure, nutrition / diet changes, meditation, and biofeedback helpful in managing pain as well as improving overall health.

The goal of physical therapy is to help you return to full activity as quickly and safely as possible, while also preventing re-injury. Physical therapists will guide you in proper posture, lifting, and walking techniques. They will help strengthen the muscles supporting affected areas such as your neck, back, arms, legs, and core. You will also learn stretching exercises to improve flexibility in your spine, arms, and legs, which you can continue at home. Incorporating posture, flexibility, and strengthening exercises into your routine is essential for recovery and should become a lifelong fitness habit.

Surgical treatment for a disc herniation or spinal stenosis will vary due to multiple contributing factors that your surgeon considers before making a surgical plan. Some of these factors include but are not limited to your symptoms, the location and size of the herniation or stenosis, your overall health, as well as your spine health and spinal alignment.

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Surgery for disc herniations can be performed in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. Most disc herniation surgeries only require a decompression of the compressed neural structures, however some require a decompression and fusion procedure.

Surgery for the treatment of spinal stenosis can be performed in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.

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These surgeries can be performed using an open traditional surgical technique, a minimally invasive technique or an endoscopic surgical technique.

These are procedures that are performed under x-ray fluoroscopy and involves an injection of corticosteroids and/or a numbing agent into the epidural space of the spine or at a targeted nerve root. During an epidural steroid injection, the steroid medicine is delivered next to the painful area to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the irritated nerve. About 50% of patients will notice relief after an epidural injection, although the results tend to be temporary.
 

Repeat injections may be given to achieve the full effect. During a nerve block procedure the numbing medicine is delivered next to the suspected nerve causing the pain. This provides diagnostic information and can be used to confirm the pain generator while also providing short term relief. The duration of pain relief varies per procedure, with epidural steroid injections lasting for weeks or months. These targeted injections are done in conjunction with a physical therapy and/or home exercise program or maybe requested for diagnostic purposes.