|
I have a very badly herniated disc and one bulging from a rugby
injury. My disc caused such bad muscle inflammation that they
impinged very badly on my nerve causing numbness and pain. This
happened in October and by February I was back on the field playing
rugby again.
I took 4 months off and did physical therapy twice a week and
acupuncture once a week. Initially I was given a shot of cortisone
right where the herniated disc was to help break up the stiffness.
I was given a total of two shots - in very small amounts. It is
unbelieveable how much relief that gave me. I also took Vioxx
(a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) once a day as well as
muscle relaxers at night for about two months. I was very diligent
about icing my neck and back at night as well to help with the
swelling.
After four months I was pain free. I needed to keep up with my
physical therapy exercises on my own becasue the only thing that
will protect the injured disc is stronger muscles around it.
Now I just get muscle knots and some soreness when I play, but
overall it has healed. I am still going for acupuncture to releive
my muscles of some stress, but that is from playing rugby.
You should definitely have him take some anti-inflammatories,
and get acupuncture. It's all about taking care of the muscles
that surround the disc and keeping them from spasming.
|