Having Disc Pain in Your Back? Discover Modern Treatments

Waking up with sharp, radiating pain in your lower back can turn even the simplest movement into a challenge. Disc pain, whether caused by a herniated disc, bulging disc, or degenerative disc disease, can make sitting, standing, or even sleeping feel impossible. 

Around 80% of adults experience back pain at some point, and disc problems are among the leading causes of it. The good news is that relief doesn’t always require back surgery. With the right combination of movement, posture awareness, and targeted treatments, you can ease the pressure on your spine and support long-term healing. 

Read on to discover lifestyle changes and modern, non-invasive treatments from the best spine surgeon in Los Angeles that can make a real difference in managing and preventing disc pain.

Understand the Root Cause of Back Pain

There are a few different conditions that may be causing your disc pain: 

• A bulging disc, which means the disc is slightly pressing outward but hasn’t ruptured entirely. Even a minor bulging disc can cause debilitating pain and symptoms that interfere with your life. 
• A disc protrusion is a bulge that extends a bit farther and can start irritating nearby nerves, causing symptoms to worsen. 
• A disc herniation occurs when the inner gel-like material pushes through the disc’s outer layer, often causing more intense and radiating pain. In severe cases, a disc herniation can progress to disc extrusion, which requires surgical treatment. 
• Degenerative disc disease occurs when the discs naturally wear down over time, losing hydration and flexibility. This can lead to chronic back pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility as the spine loses its natural cushioning and shock absorption.

Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or shooting pain down your leg or arm may indicate a pinched nerve caused by a disc that’s either bulging or protruding. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to consult a spine specialist for an accurate diagnosis and timely care that can prevent worsening symptoms. 

Non-Surgical Treatments for Back Pain Caused by Disc Problems

When back pain hits, it’s tempting to stay in bed until it passes, but too much rest can actually slow recovery. Gentle movement helps promote healing by improving blood flow to the spine and keeping muscles from stiffening: 

• Low-impact activities like walking, stretching, or guided physical therapy can make a big difference in managing pain without worsening your symptoms. 
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, alternating heat and ice, and topical pain-relief creams can also help reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles. 
• Hands-on care like massage therapy or professional back pain treatment from a licensed physical therapist or chiropractor can sometimes restore mobility, relieve tension, and retrain your spine’s natural alignment. 

Exercises and Stretches for Disc Pain Relief

Strengthening your core and lower back helps protect your spine by keeping it stable and supported during movement. Simple exercises like planks, bird-dogs, and bridges build endurance in the muscles that hold your spine in alignment, reducing the load on damaged discs. Depending on your diagnosis, extension or flexion movements, like gentle back bends or knee-to-chest stretches, can also help relieve pressure by shifting weight away from the affected area. 

Posture and Lifting Techniques that Can Save Your Back

Poor posture or awkward lifting can increase pressure on the discs in your spine, while mindful body mechanics can help offload that stress. Here’s how to improve your posture when sitting, standing, lifting, and working for long periods of time at a desk: 

• When sitting, choose a chair with good lumbar support, keep your feet flat on the floor, and position your screen at eye level to avoid hunching forward. 
• When standing, distribute your weight evenly and avoid locking your knees. 
• Simple ergonomic adjustments to your desk setup, car seat, or even the pillow you sleep on can also make a big impact over time. 
• Take short breaks to stretch, walk, or shift your posture every 30 to 60 minutes.
• When lifting, bend your knees, not your back, keeping the object close to your body as you rise. 

When to Escalate: Injections, Surgery and Advanced Options

If at-home treatments and lifestyle changes haven’t eased your disc pain, it may be time to consider more advanced options. Several effective treatment options may be right for you: 

• Injection therapies or nerve blocks are often the next step when imaging tests show inflammation or nerve compression that isn’t improving with physical therapy or medication. These treatments can target pain directly at its source, offering relief while you continue rehab. 
• Spine surgery may be recommended if you have persistent nerve pain, weakness, or loss of mobility. Minimally invasive spine surgery options include a microdiscectomy to remove part of the herniated disc to relieve pressure, partial disc removal, or spinal fusion to stabilize the affected area. 

Finding the Best Spine Surgeon in Los Angeles

Trusting someone with your spine is one of the most personal medical decisions you can make. At Yashar Neurosurgery, we honor that trust with precision, compassion, and partnership. Led by board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon Dr. Parham Yashar, we take a personalized, minimally invasive approach to spine surgery that prioritizes both safety and long-term function. 

Dr. Yashar combines advanced motion-preserving techniques, such as artificial disc replacement and microsurgery, with a calm, thorough communication style that helps you feel informed and empowered at every stage. Our care doesn’t end in the operating room. We stay connected through recovery and beyond, offering a full-service on-site facility with physical therapy, pain management, and wellness support. 

Ready to get lasting relief from persistent back pain with the best spine surgeon in Los Angeles and a trusted partner in healing who’s dedicated to helping you move better, feel stronger?