A herniated disk can affect how you're able to perform everyday tasks and can cause severe pain that influences almost everything you do. herniated disk sometimes also called herniated disc, ruptured disk or slipped disk.
Muscle relaxants that can be used for herniated disc treatment
| Generic Name |
Brand Name |
| carisoprodol |
Soma |
| cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride |
Flexeril |
| diazepam |
Valium |
| metaxalone |
Skelaxin |
| methocarbamol |
Robaxin |
| orphenadrine citrate |
Norflex |
How It Works
Muscle relaxant medicines relax muscles and may help reduce pain in people who have muscle spasms. The muscle-relaxing effects of these medicines are most likely the result of their ability to depress the central nervous system. They are also called sedatives.
The pain of herniated disks can be severe. However, the most severe pain usually eases within a week or two allowing you to be more physically active. In about four to six weeks, most people no longer feel the need to seek medical care. So, only about one in 10 people go on to surgery.
The portion of the disk that herniates tends to shrink over time, and you may experience partial or complete shrinkage after six months. And over the long term, you typically get similar results regardless of whether you opt for surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Because of this, your doctor usually suggests that you try nonsurgical treatments first, as long as you don't have significant or progressive muscle weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control.
When will the pain subside?
Most people with a herniated lumbar disk — estimates range from 80 percent to more than 90 percent — improve and return to normal activities without aggressive treatment. Improvement generally occurs within a month or two. However, with various treatments, you may find that the pain is controlled to the point that you can resume many of your usual activities while you wait for resolution of symptoms.
Conventional treatment options for herniated disk range from nonsurgical methods to surgical methods.
Nonsurgical options for herniated disk
- Pain medications
- Cold therapy, heat therapy or both
- Electrical stimulation
- Bracing
- Hydrotherapy
- Traction
- Stretching
- Dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises
- Aerobic exercise using pain-free activities
Why carisoprodol Is Used
Muscle relaxant medicines are used when muscle spasms develop because of pain caused by a herniated disc.
Diazepam (Valium) and carisoprodol (Soma) are not recommended for use by pregnant women, older adults, or people with depression or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.
How Well Carisoprodol Works
Muscle relaxant medicines are usually helpful for reducing the pain of muscle spasms. Muscle relaxants may help to relax muscle spasms caused by a herniated disc, but muscle relaxants will not affect the herniated disc itself.
Side Effects
Side effects of muscle relaxant medicines include:
- Drowsiness.
- Dry mouth.
- Likelihood of dependence or addiction with regular use of diazepam (Valium) and carisoprodol (such as Soma).
- Urinary retention.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
