Medications

• For acute discomfort caused by a herniated or ruptured disc, ask your doctor to prescribe a pain reliever or muscle relaxant. Common medications used to treat the pain of a bulging disc include acetaminophen and ibuprofen (pain relievers) and the muscle relaxant cyclobenzaprine. Anti-inflammatory medications may help relieve the pressure on your spinal column. Ask your doctor about steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat your acute condition. You may need to take a combination of these or other medications.
  
  

See a Chiropractor

• This is an option if your bulging disc is caused by a misalignment of your spinal column. Trained in the manipulation of the muscles and bones of the spine, a qualified chiropractor can relieve the spasm and pressure on your spine by gentle manual manipulations. Many chiropractors are also trained to use electro-stimulation methods to increase blood circulation to and relieve tension in the muscles surrounding your bones. You may need to visit a chiropractor several times over a series of weeks to experience full relief.
  
  

Visit an Osteopath

• If you have chronic discomfort, you may wish to visit an osteopath for treatment with injected steroids or information about surgical options. Your osteopath may suggest a spinal fusion surgery to remove the affected disc completely, and fuse the adjoining vertebrae together. This surgery is usually only recommended as a "last-resort" treatment for a herniated disc, when all other options have proved unsuccessful.
  
  

Ice Therapy

• Apply an ice pack to the area of your bulging disc for 10 to 15 minutes every two to three hours throughout the day. If lying in a prone position causes you discomfort, wear the ice pack tucked into a support band or ace bandage wrapped around your back.
  
  

Heat Therapy

• Apply moist heat to the affected area, or take warm showers for up to 20 minutes every two to three hours when you are in pain. If you use a heating pad, make sure the setting is not too high, and do not fall asleep while the heating pad is turned on. You may wish to alternate between warm and cold therapies to treat back spasms or chronic disc pain. The warmth will sooth and relax your muscles, and the ice will numb your pain and help temporarily stop nerve spasms.
  
  

Stay Active

• If possible, take long, slow walks to help alleviate muscle tension and stretch the muscles around your spine. Although you may be tempted to stay in bed when you are experiencing disc pain, spending too much time lying down will only weaken your muscles and contribute to the problem.