Degenerative disc disease treatment doesn’t only have to include conventional methods like pain medication or hot and cold compresses. In fact, many patients seek alternative therapies for pain relief from degenerative disc disease symptoms for many reasons. For example, you may have completed a course of conventional treatments without finding the relief you need, or maybe you are looking to take a more holistic approach from the beginning of treatment.

Whatever your motivation for seeking alternative therapies, it is important to keep your doctor informed of your decisions to limit the risk of complications.

Popular alternative therapies

Even though there isn’t full agreement from mainstream doctors, there is evidence that some of these alternative therapies can provide relief from back pain, including conditions like degenerative disc disease. Here are a few of the most commonly practiced alternative therapies:

• Acupuncture. This practice involves the insertion of small needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture is said to increase production of pain-relieving endorphins and stimulate blood flow to provide pain relief.
• Restorative yoga. This low-impact form of yoga can help to strengthen the muscles in the neck and back, relieving pressure placed on the affected spinal nerve.
• Herbal supplements. Practitioners of herbal remedies believe certain natural herbs can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and promote healing in some cases. An herbal nutritionist can help you find the most effective treatment for your condition.

Minimally invasive procedures degenerative disc disease

If several months of either conservative treatment or alternative therapy have not provided the pain relief you’re looking for, your doctor may recommend surgical degenerative disc disease treatment. If you are concerned about the risks associated with traditional open back surgery, the minimally invasive spine surgery performed at USA Spine Care is a safer and effective alternative. Our minimally invasive decompression and stabilization procedures have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck and back pain since 2005.

For many patients, a minimally invasive decompression surgery can reduce the pressure on the pinched nerve by removing a small piece of the damaged disc. USA Spine Care also offers minimally invasive stabilization techniques that are an alternative to traditional fusions as an option for more severe cases of degenerative disc disease. By using a smaller incision and less intrusive hardware, these surgeries avoid the long hospital stays and lower the risk of complications that come with open back fusions.

Contact us to learn more and to request a no-cost review of your MRI report or CT scan* to determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.