Conservative Treatments:

• Rest: Short periods of rest may help reduce inflammation and ease pain, but prolonged bed rest should be avoided.
• Physical Therapy: A structured exercise program to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pressure on the discs.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), to reduce pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed to alleviate muscle spasms.
• Hot/Cold Therapy: Heat and ice packs can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Epidural Steroid Injections: Injections of corticosteroids around the affected nerve to reduce inflammation and pain.

Minimally Invasive Procedures:

• Discectomy: A procedure to remove part or all of a herniated disc to relieve pressure on the nerve.
• Laminectomy: Removal of a small section of bone (lamina) to allow more space for the affected disc and nerve.
• Nucleoplasty or Disc Decompression: A minimally invasive procedure that uses a needle to remove tissue from the disc, reducing pressure on the nerves.

Surgical Treatment:

• Spinal Fusion: In cases of severe disc degeneration or instability, two or more vertebrae may be fused together to stabilize the spine.
• Artificial Disc Replacement: A surgical option where a damaged disc is replaced with an artificial one to maintain spinal flexibility.