An annular tear describes a small tear in the disc, typically located in the lumbar spine (lower back). If the disc material becomes leaked because of the tear, it can irritate the nerves and cause a tremendous amount of pain, along with numbness, weakness or tingling in the arms or legs. In order to treat the chronic pain and discomfort associated with this condition, a course of conservative treatments may be recommended by your doctor, including a deep tissue massage. To learn about the benefits of this nonsurgical treatment, read the following article.

Conservative annular tear treatments

With surgical intervention often being used as a last resort, it is typically suggested to begin with a conservative treatment regimen to ease the symptoms of this condition. For instance, deep tissue massage is an effective nonsurgical measure when it comes to an annular tear. Massage therapy can help relieve the pressure of the muscles that support the spine, thereby accelerating the recovery process and preventing further injury.

A massage therapist can also help to relax the muscles, relieve fluid retention, expand range of motion, increase blood flow and improve flexibility. This conservative regimen can be combined with alternative treatments, including pain medication, anti-inflammatories, chiropractic care, physical therapy and steroid injections. However, if there is no improvement from annular tear symptoms after several weeks or months, then surgical intervention may become necessary.

Surgical annular tear treatments

At USA Spine Care, our minimally invasive procedures are safer and effective alternatives to traditional open spine surgery.^ We have performed more than 75,000 patient procedures since 2005, and we are confident that we can help you recapture your quality of life from chronic neck or back pain. To learn what sets us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care today.

Our board-certified+ surgeons can help you find relief from your annular tear symptoms by using a small muscle-sparing incision to remove part of the damaged disc that is causing compression. If your condition is more severe, a stabilization surgery may be used to fully replace the damaged disc with an artificial disc. To learn if you are a potential candidate for our outpatient surgery, reach out to our dedicated team today and ask for a free MRI review.* We can help guide you on your road to recovery.