Tramadol can relieve the pain of a herniated disk with a significantly lower risk of addiction than stronger opioid painkillers. Unlike the case with some of those drugs, patients don’t appear to build up a tolerance for tramadol and thus don’t require ever larger doses to stay pain-free.
If you’ve ever suffered from a herniated disk, you know it’s the ultimate “stab in the back”. A herniated disk can affect your ability to perform even the simplest of everyday tasks. Sure, there are many prescriptions available to treat a ruptured disk, but finding an effective pain relief medication without all the troubling side effects can be quite a challenge. Fortunately for back pain sufferers, there’s prescription tramadol.
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is the active ingredient in the brand-name prescription drug Ultram. Tramadol is a synthetic non-narcotic drug most often used to provide pain relief for moderate to severe aches and also to treat postsurgical pain.
Tramadol works by regulating the amount of pain you feel, which allows you to move about with minimal or no discomfort. Pain relief is usually experienced just a few hours after taking prescription tramadol.
How Is Tramadol Different?
Compared with other narcotic pain relievers, tramadol is a safer alternative. Although all opioid pain relief medications pose the risk of addiction, patients taking tramadol will not develop a tolerance to their prescription. This allows herniated disk sufferers to experience continued pain relief without increasing their dosage over time. And that means there is less chance of addiction.
Prescription tramadol is less potent than other popular narcotic pain killers such as Percocet and Vicodin. Tramadol is kind of like the “middle man” of pain relief medications. While it isn’t nearly as powerful as other narcotics, it does provide more pain relief than over-the-counter drugs.
Tramadol offers a unique approach to pain relief. Once the drug begins to take effect, pain sensation is greatly reduced. Signals sent from the brain to the spinal cord suppress the level of actual pain, allowing herniated disk sufferers to function better. Tramadol may be the ideal solution for your chronic back pain relief.
While most herniated disk trauma can be resolved with surgery, the recovery period is often plagued with pain and discomfort. Finding an effective pain relief medication is the key to comfort. Tramadol works fast to help patients recuperate and return to their normal activities in less time.
Herniated Disk Pain Relief Tips:
- The first step in treating a herniated disk is to reduce the pain. This is best achieved by limiting physical activity for a few days. By alleviating stress on the nerves, natural healing can take place. However, it’s important to note that prolonged bed rest is not recommended. Too much rest can actually extend your recovery period, since the back muscles are not receiving an adequate amount of exercise.
- Using an ice pack in addition to prescription tramadol is another great way to relieve pain when the first symptoms of a herniated disk appear. Cold packs should be applied to the affected area for about 15- to 20-minute intervals throughout the day.
- Some patients may experience pain relief by using a heating pad or soaking in a hot tub. Just be sure to check with your doctor first before trying any type of heat therapy treatment. In some instances, the use of heat therapy can cause additional swelling or inflammation due to an increase in blood flow.
- A back brace may be used temporarily until normal function is regained. A back brace works by limiting pressure on the herniated disk and helps the patient to achieve proper posture. Good posture is important when dealing with a herniated disk problem.
- The right amount of exercise is vital to pain relief. Regular exercise not only helps to reduce pain but can also prevent additional injuries to your back in the future. By strengthening and stretching your back muscles, you can avoid potential herniated disk woes.
Are There Risks with Tramadol?
While tramadol is safer than narcotic pain relievers, there are some possible risk factors you need to be aware of. Tramadol may not be a good choice for all patients, including those who suffer from seizures, allergies, and kidney, lung, or liver disease.
Tramadol should also be avoided by people who have current or former addictions to drugs or alcohol. These individuals run a much greater risk of developing an addiction to tramadol.
Pregnant or nursing mothers should not take tramadol without careful monitoring by their doctor. Tramadol should only be used during pregnancy when absolutely necessary for pain relief. If you become pregnant while taking tramadol, be sure to contact your doctor immediately.
If you are taking any other medications or herbal supplements, inform your doctor or pharmacist before taking tramadol. As with any type of medication, there can be serious consequences from possible drug interactions.
Even common herbal products, such as St. John’s wort, can lead to toxicity and a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include anxiety, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, chills, twitching, and overactive muscle reflexes. Left untreated, serotonin syndrome can be life threatening.
Although tramadol is safe for most individuals, be sure to take only the recommended dosage. Do not abruptly stop taking your medication, since doing so may cause withdrawal symptoms. By carefully following your doctor’s instructions, you can greatly reduce the risk of any harmful side effects or addiction.
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