Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about herniated discs and the most effective ways to treat them, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.

Introduction

A herniated disc is a common spinal condition that can cause severe back pain, leg pain (sciatica), numbness, and weakness. When pain interferes with daily activities, such as walking, working, or sleeping, it becomes essential to seek effective relief. Finding the best painkiller for a herniated disc is crucial for restoring mobility, sleep, and quality of life. With so many options available, it’s important to choose treatments that are safe, effective, and tailored to your needs1.

Understanding Herniated Disc Pain

A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the outer layer, often compressing nearby nerves. A herniated disc is also known as a slipped disk or ruptured disk, where the cushioning material of the spinal disk slips or ruptures out of its casing, pressing on nerves and causing pain, weakness, or numbness. This can result in sharp pain and radiating pain, as well as tingling or weakness in the back, buttocks, or legs. Most herniated discs improve with conservative care, but some require medical intervention2.

What Are the Best Painkillers for Herniated Disc?

The best painkiller for a herniated disc depends on the severity of your symptoms, your health profile, and the presence of nerve involvement. The goal of these medications is to relieve pain, alleviate pain, and ease pain. Here’s what the evidence and guidelines recommend:

• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs, e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen): First-line for most herniated disc pain. They reduce inflammation and pain but can cause stomach upset, ulcers, and kidney issues if used long-term3.
• Paracetamol (Acetaminophen): May help mild pain, but is less effective than NSAIDs for nerve-related pain.
• Opioids (e.g., codeine, tramadol): Not recommended for routine use due to risk of addiction, sedation, and limited long-term benefit. Reserved for severe, short-term pain under close supervision4.
• Prescription medication: Includes muscle relaxers and muscle relaxant drugs for muscle spasms, as well as the oxycodone acetaminophen combination for more severe pain, all of which should be used under medical supervision.
• Muscle relaxants: May help with acute muscle spasm but can cause drowsiness and dependence.
• Anticonvulsants/Antidepressants: Sometimes used for nerve pain (e.g., sciatica), but benefits are modest and side effects are common. These medications work by affecting pain signals and nerve impulses to help manage nerve-related pain.
• Topical NSAIDs: Gels and creams may help mild pain with fewer side effects.

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting any medication, especially if you have other health conditions or take other medicines. If these medications and other treatments do not provide relief, there are additional pain management options available.

Non-Drug Pain Relief for Herniated Disc

Medication is just one part of herniated disc management. Evidence-based non-drug options include:

• Physical therapy: A physical therapist or physical therapists can guide you through exercises to strengthen core muscles, improve spine health, and recommend gentle exercise. These approaches help alleviate pain, relieve pain, and support recovery.
• Heat or cold packs: Applying an ice pack can help reduce acute pain and inflammation, while heat can relieve pain by easing muscle tension and relaxing tight muscles.
• Manual therapy: Chiropractic, osteopathy, and massage therapy may provide short-term relief. Massage therapy can help alleviate pain and relieve pain by reducing muscle tension and loosening tight muscles.
• Education and reassurance: Understanding your pain and staying active are key to recovery.
• Lifestyle modifications: Maintaining good posture, a healthy weight, and avoiding excess weight are important for spine health and reducing the risk of future problems.
• Bed rest: Short-term bed rest may be helpful in acute cases, but prolonged bed rest should be avoided to prevent stiffness and weakness.

Exercise and manual therapy can also increase blood flow and release endorphins, which contribute to pain relief.

For most people, a combination of these approaches is more effective than painkillers alone2.

Advanced Treatments for Herniated Disc

If pain persists despite first-line treatments, your doctor may recommend:

• Prescription medications: Stronger NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, or nerve pain medicines.
• Injections: Steroid injections, such as epidural steroid injection, can be used to treat herniated disc pain by reducing inflammation and swelling around the spinal nerves.
• Minimally invasive procedures: For specific cases of nerve compression or persistent symptoms.
• Surgery: Rarely needed, only for severe, persistent cases with compression of the spinal cord or risk of nerve damage. Surgical procedures may involve removing part or all of the affected disk, but removal of the entire disk is uncommon.

If other treatments have failed, an orthopedic doctor can help determine the best course of action.

Prolotherapy

In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat herniated disc. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits5.

Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with herniated disc.

As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of herniated disc, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.

Case Studies

Case Study 1: NSAIDs and Physiotherapy for Acute Herniated Disc

Background: A 40-year-old office worker developed sudden lower back and leg pain after lifting.
Treatment: Short course of ibuprofen, heat therapy, and physiotherapy.
Outcome: Pain resolved within a few weeks (3 weeks), full return to work and activity.

Case Study 2: Chronic Herniated Disc Unresponsive to Painkillers

Background: A 52-year-old manual worker with 8 months of chronic back pain due to herniated disc.
Treatment: Tried paracetamol, NSAIDs, and muscle relaxants with little benefit. Referred for prolotherapy as pain increases were noted despite standard therapies.
Outcome: After three prolotherapy sessions, pain reduced by 80% and patient returned to work.

Case Study 3: Opioid Use Avoided with Multimodal Approach

Background: A 60-year-old with severe sciatica considered for opioid therapy.
Treatment: A range of pain management options were considered, including combined NSAIDs, nerve pain medication, physiotherapy, and prolotherapy.
Outcome: Significant pain reduction and relief of pressure on the affected nerves without the need for opioids.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best painkiller for herniated disc?

NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) are generally the most effective and safest first-line painkillers for most herniated disc pain. Paracetamol is less effective, and opioids are not recommended except in rare, severe cases3.

Are opioids safe for herniated disc pain?

Opioids carry significant risks of addiction, sedation, and side effects. They should only be used for short periods under close medical supervision and are not recommended for chronic herniated disc pain4.

Can I take painkillers and still exercise?

Yes, staying active is important for recovery. Use painkillers as needed to help you move, but avoid overexertion or activities that worsen your pain.

What if painkillers don’t work for my herniated disc?

If pain persists despite medication, consult a healthcare professional. You may benefit from advanced treatments like prolotherapy, physiotherapy, or targeted injections.

Is prolotherapy safe and effective for herniated disc?

Yes, prolotherapy is considered safe when performed by experienced practitioners and has shown positive outcomes for herniated disc in clinical studies5.

When should I see a doctor for herniated disc pain?

See a doctor if your pain lasts more than 4-6 weeks, is severe, or is associated with symptoms like numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder/bowel control.

Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call

Don’t let herniated disc control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.

Get in Touch

• Phone: +44 1234 380345
• Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk

Our Clinic Locations

• London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
• Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
• Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH

All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.

Author Bio

Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Olvier Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating herniated disc, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.

With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with herniated disc and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.

He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.

Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.

Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.

Connect with Oliver Eaton on LinkedIn

References

1. Weinstein JN, Tosteson TD, Lurie JD, et al. Surgical vs Nonoperative Treatment for Lumbar Disk Herniation. JAMA. 2006;296(20):2441-2450. View Study
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE guideline [NG59]. 2016. View Guideline
3. van Tulder MW, et al. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for low back pain. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD000396. View Study
4. Chou R, et al. Opioids for chronic noncancer pain: prediction and identification of aberrant drug-related behaviors. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2009;11(2):91-97. View Study
5. Rabago D, Slattengren A, Zgierska A. Prolotherapy in Primary Care Practice. Prim Care. 2010;37(1):65-80. View Study

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.