What are common treatment options for disc herniation?

• A. Bed rest only
• B. Only surgery
• C. No treatment
• D. Therapeutic exercises and activity modification to surgery

Answer: (D)

Disc herniation is usually treated with a stepwise approach that starts with nonoperative care aimed at reducing pain, improving function, and allowing the nerve irritation to settle. Therapeutic exercises and physical therapy strengthen the core, improve flexibility, and promote proper movement patterns, while activity modification helps avoid positions and loads that worsen symptoms. Most people improve with this conservative management within weeks to a few months, so this initial approach is standard.

Surgery is considered only if there is persistent pain despite adequate nonoperative treatment or there are signs of nerve damage, such as weakness or loss of bowel or bladder control. In those cases, a surgical procedure to remove the herniated disc material is performed, which can relieve nerve compression and symptoms.

Thus, the best answer reflects starting with therapeutic exercises and activity modification and escalating to surgery only as needed, rather than relying on bed rest, doing nothing, or using surgery as the sole initial option.