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Is there a treatment for bulging discs?
Although no single treatment plan is right for every patient, there are some bulging disc treatment guidelines that are often effective in relieving symptoms. While a bulging disc is not necessarily painful, nerve compression can result if displaced disc material causes narrowing of any of the nerve passageways.
Is a bulging disk serious?
Is it serious? Bulging disks increase the likelihood of a herniated disk, which can be painful, affect mobility, and limit a person’s daily functioning and quality of life. Bulging disks can also lead to weakness or numbness in the legs and poor bladder control.
What are the symptoms of bulging discs?
Lumbar bulging discs most often cause pain in the buttocks, legs, feet and abdomen. Cervical bulging discs most often cause pain in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers. ( 10) Thoracic bulging discs cause pain in the hands, chest, back and abdomen.
How do you know if you have a bulging disk?
What is the term for the spongy disks that make up the spine?
Why do my vertebrae bulge?
Why does my spine bulge?
What is a herniated disk?
What is the soft tissue between vertebrae?
What is the pain in the back?
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What happens when you have multiple bulging discs?
It can cause pain in the buttocks, legs, or back. It can also affect your ability to walk. Bulging discs usually affect multiple discs. This condition develops over time and can cause other disc degeneration-related issues, like lumbar stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal).
How do you stop a bulging disc from hurting?
Start with ice to relieve inflammation. Apply an ice pack to your lower back for the first couple of days after the pain starts. On day three or four, switch to heat. Use a heating pad or an over-the-counter heat patch to help relax the muscles.
How do you treat multiple bulging discs?
Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root. Ice and heat therapy for pain relief. Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief.
What is the best medicine for a bulging disc?
Medication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are the first-line medications for a bulging disc. For more severe pain, prescription medication may be necessary. In some cases, a muscle relaxer can help if there are muscle spasms.
What is the fastest way to heal a bulging disc?
How to heal a herniated disc quicklyAlternate applying heat and cold.Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.
What is the treatment for L4 L5 disc bulge?
Typically, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are usually tried first. For more severe pain, opioids, tramadol, and/or corticosteroids may be used. Physical therapy. Exercise and physical therapy can be modified to specifically target pain stemming from L4-L5 and the lower back.
What happens if a bulging disc goes untreated?
A severe case of a bulging disc can cut off nerve impulses, even causing permanent nerve damage. Additionally, you may experience sharp paints, incontinence, bowel movement irregularity, or even partial paralysis as the issue worsens.
Do you need surgery for bulging disc?
When bulging discs are compressed so tightly that your normal functions are affected, then surgery may be your best bet for relieving the pain and removing its source. Ideally, you'll see a number of spine specialists on campus at the Southeastern Spine Institute before resorting to surgery.
What does broad based disc bulge mean?
Asymmetric disc bulge (Broad-based disc bulge): The bulge involves 25 to 50% of the disc's circumference.
How serious is disc bulge?
A bulging disk can push against the spinal cord and nerve roots, leading to severe pain and problems with mobility. Treatment may include a combination of medication, physical therapy, and self-care. In severe cases, a person may need surgery.
Will a cortisone shot help a bulging disc?
Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and can be effective when delivered directly into the painful area. Unfortunately, the injection does not make a herniated disc smaller; it only works on the spinal nerves by flushing away the proteins that cause swelling.
Can you live with bulging disc?
Over time, the discs can wear out, or they can rupture. If the disc presses against the spinal cord or a nerve, it can be very painful. Most people who have a herniated disc recover in about four weeks. Your doctor can assess the amount of damage and recommend treatment.
Bulging Disc L4/L5 – Symptoms and Treatment
I'm the man behind this website. I've successfully overcame major problem in my life - SCIATICA - three years ago. Feel free to study my articles. Please note that content on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with ...
Bulging disk vs. herniated disk: What's the difference?
Disks show signs of wear and tear with age. Over time, disks dehydrate and their cartilage stiffens. These changes can cause the outer layer of the disk to bulge out fairly evenly all the way around its circumference — so it looks a little like a hamburger that's too big for its bun.
How to heal a bulging disc?
The most important thing is to give the bulging disc the opportunity to heal by: Changing the movements and habits that put unhealthy loads through the disc. Building strength in the appropriate muscles to give the disc the support it needs. Written by Dr. Jeremy James.
How to tell if a disc is bulging?
A bulging disc can be diagnosed by a thorough evaluation by a health care professional and also by imaging such as an MRI. Symptom patterns common to bulging discs include pain with forward bending, pain with coughing, sneezing or bowel movements, and pain with prolonged sitting. The pain can occur in the back, ...
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?
With proper exercise and healthy spine habits, a bulging disc rarely requires surgery. In fact, it can typically be treated at home and can usually heal on its own within 6 to 12 months. The most important thing is to give the bulging disc the opportunity to heal by: 1 Changing the movements and habits that put unhealthy loads through the disc. 2 Building strength in the appropriate muscles to give the disc the support it needs.
What is the difference between a disc and a donut?
Each disc is like a jelly-filled donut, with a gelatinous inner layer and firm outer layer. Typically, pressure created by everyday activities like walking, bending, sitting, and lifting is distributed evenly across discs. But bad posture, repetitive movements, and a lack of strength in the muscles that support the spine can cause unhealthy ...
What causes a disc to be uneven?
The weight that is usually distributed evenly through the disc by daily activities (walking, sitting, and bending over) is now distributed in an uneven pattern, putting unhealthy pressure on the affected disc and the surrounding discs, joints, and ligaments. Eventually this pressure causes problems which can result in pain.
What happens when the pressure gets too great in one part of the disc?
When the pressure gets too great in one part of the disc, the inner liquid can push into the outer layer causing a “bulge” to form— this is referred to as a bulging disc. When pressure and the bulge become extreme, the outer layer tears and the inner liquid spills out, resulting in a disc herniation —a herniated disc is a potentially much more ...
Why does my disc hurt?
Pain and/or dysfunction can be caused in four general ways: If the other structures around the disc become overloaded because the damaged disc in unable to absorb shocks, they wear down and become inflamed, resulting in arthritis .
What can a physical therapist do for a bulging disc?
If pain from a bulging disc makes it hard to move around or work normally, a physical therapist can assign specific exercises and stretches to improve your range of motion, strength and flexibility.
What are the symptoms of a bulging disc?
The type of pain caused by a bulging disc is a clue to where the abnormal disc is located: 1 Lumbar bulging discs most often cause pain in the buttocks, legs, feet and abdomen. 2 Cervical bulging discs most often cause pain in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers. ( 10) 3 Thoracic bulging discs cause pain in the hands, chest, back and abdomen.
What causes a bulging disc in the spine?
A bulging disc is a very common occurrence that results in a spinal disc compressing against an adjacent nerve root. The disc essentially pushes out of its normal place and starts impinging on nearby nerves of the spine, sometimes causing pain.
Why does my disc feel tingly?
Eventually the bulging disc protrudes into the spinal canal, which is what triggers the sharp pain or tingling sensation that’s associated with disc problems.
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?
( 2 ) Luckily for many people, disc problems heal within several months (sometimes as little as within one month) and pain will subside, especially if you take steps to lower swelling and inflammation.
Where do bulging discs occur?
Although bulging discs are most likely to develop in the back (estimates show that about 90 percent of bulging discs occur in the lower back, or lumbar area), they can also affect other parts of the body when the abnormal disc comes into contact with nerves that connect to the hips, buttocks, legs, neck and feet.
What is the best treatment for back pain?
Heating packs, acupuncture treatments and massages are all beneficial for back, neck and limb pain. Acupuncture is a type of Traditional Chinese Medicine that uses tiny needles to help unleash the body’s natural flow of energy.
How do you know if you have a bulging disk?
The symptoms of a bulging disk depend on its severity and location in the spine. Some people may experience no initial symptoms. However, with further disk degeneration and herniation, a person may have the following symptoms: back pain that worsens with movement, such as sneezes. spasms in the back muscles.
What is the term for the spongy disks that make up the spine?
A bulging disk occurs when the spongy disks between the bones in the spine become compressed and bulge out. A series of interlocking bones, called vertebrae, make up the spine. These vertebrae provide support for the spine and enable the back to bend and move. Between each vertebra is soft tissue, known as a spinal disk, ...
Why do my vertebrae bulge?
Bulging disks occur when the spongy disks between the vertebrae become compressed and bulge out. A common cause of bulging disks is aging. If this degradation continues, it can lead to a herniated disk. Herniated disks can cause pain, numbness, and mobility issues.
Why does my spine bulge?
Bulging disks result from a reduction of gel in the disk center. Less gel causes the disk to become compressed and start to bulge. The gel in a spinal disk naturally wears away over time. A bulging disk is usually the result of aging, but it can also be due to spinal injury, such as the result of a car accident.
What is a herniated disk?
Sometimes, the outer layer of the disk breaks down and causes a herniated disk. A herniated disk, also known as a ruptured or slipped disk, is when the gel-like center leaks out through a tear in the disk’s exterior wall.
What is the soft tissue between vertebrae?
Between each vertebra is soft tissue, known as a spinal disk, which prevents bones from rubbing against each other. The disks also act as shock absorbers to prevent damage during movement. Each disk contains a tough outer later with gel in the middle. This gel may decrease with age, become compressed, and push out.
What is the pain in the back?
back pain that worsens with movement, such as sneezes . spasms in the back muscles. weakness and numbness in the legs and feet. reduced mobility in the legs, knees, and ankles . decreased bladder and bowel control. difficulty walking.
Physical Therapy
One of the common treatments for bulging disc pain is physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you exercise and stretch your body to reduce the pressure on your nerves. This can help you reduce and manage your pain.
Protective Equipment
An effective way to treat bulging disc pain is with protective equipment. This can be anything from wearing supportive gear to using items with lumbar support. Protective equipment provides stability and compression, which eases your pain.
Cortisone Injections
If you are dealing with chronic nerve pain consider cortisone injections. These steroids can reduce inflammation and swelling while also reducing pain.
Exercises and Stretches
Just like physical therapy, exercises and stretches can be a great treatment for bulging disc pain. Your doctor can give you a set of exercises and stretches that can reduce pressure, inflammation, and pain.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care has a variety of benefits, one of which is treating chronic bulging disc pain. A chiropractor can use a variety of treatments to align your body and manipulate your spine. Regular chiropractic can is a great way to manage your condition.
Weight Reduction
One way to reduce your bulging disc pain is to manage your weight. If you are overweight, the extra weight creates added pressure on your spine. This can result in a variety of health issues, one of which is bulging disc pain.
Medication
Perhaps the most common way to treat bulging disc pain is to take medication. Depending on your level of pain, medication can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) from your local drugstore or a prescription from your doctor. You might also be prescribed a muscle relaxer.
How to heal a bulging disc?
Ultrasound and massage can help to restore blood flow and reduce muscle tension. A specific exercise program designed to progressively stabilise the spine and increase flexibility, such as the Total Back Pain Solution, is often the only way to achieve long-term healing for most sufferers of a bulging spinal disc.
Why is my disc bulging?
You will notice that one of the discs is darker in colour, and is bulging to the right, into the spinal canal where the spinal nerves are. This is a disc bulge. The darker colour of the disc is generally indicative of dehydration of the disc, a result of Degenerative Disc Disease.
Why does my disc swell?
And this number increases with age. A bulging disc occurs when the discs inner material, the nucleus pulposus, starts to squeeze out into the outer ring of the disc (annulus fibrosis). This can cause the disc to swell and bulge. It is thought to be a natural part of the ageing process, like Degenerative Disc Disease.
How to treat degenerative disc disease?
As per the treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease, there are several other, more conservative options. Medications such as pain killers and anti-inflammatories can relieve the pain, but do not fix the underlying problem. Chiropractic manipulation can increase spinal range of motion, relieve nerve pressure, restore blood flow ...
Can disc bulges cause back pain?
As mentioned above, 52% of people with no back pain at all have a disc bulge. Some people may only experience occasional back ache in the mid-line. However, if the bulge is large enough to irritate a spinal nerve you can experience severe back pain on one side that may even extend into your buttocks or down your leg.
Can a bulging disc cause back pain?
Bulging Discs And Lower Back Pain. Although it sounds like a serious problem, bulging disc lower back pains are usually not severe, and bulging disc treatment options are often very effective at resolving any back pain that you might be suffering with. Like all disc problems though, it can be very hard to determine exactly what is causing back ...
Is there a non surgical treatment for a bulging disc?
Non-Surgical Treatment Options. Alternative Treatments for a Bulging Disc. Although no single treatment plan is right for every patient, there are some bulging disc treatment guidelines that are often effective in relieving symptoms. While a bulging disc is not necessarily painful, nerve compression can result if displaced disc material causes ...
Can a bulging disc cause neck pain?
Upon diagnosing a bulging disc as the source of neck pain, back pain or radiating pain in the extremities, doctors will usually begin with a course of conservative treatments. Since a bulging disc can improve with time, initial treatment is generally aimed at pain management while the progress of the condition is monitored.
Can a bulging disc be treated?
For many patients, these options are enough to help control bulging disc symptoms. Most doctors view surgery to treat a bulging disc as a last resort because it is such an invasive process, requiring a large muscle-tearing incision, overnight hospitalization and a long recovery period.
Controlling bulging disc-related muscle spasms
Although muscle spasms are painful and inconvenient, they don’t have to be a disruptive part of your life. There are many conservative treatment options available to help control these symptoms. Bulging disc symptoms, such as muscle spasms and pain, can be relieved by a series of conservative treatments.
When to consider spine surgery for persistent muscle spasms
For patients who do not respond to conservative treatments, it may be helpful to surgically remove part of the bulging disc if it does not heal on its own over time.
How to treat a bulging disc?
The majority of bulging or herniated discs can be treated with non-surgical treatments. For a mild to moderate protrusion, your doctor may recommend avoiding activities that cause pain, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, ice and heat therapy, and physical therapy.
What are the complications of a bulging disc?
What Complications Does a Bulging Disc Cause? A bulging disc is a common, age-related spine injury. The spine is made up of stacked vertebrae with spinal discs sitting between each one. The tough discs provide cushioning, support, and shock absorption and movement to the vertebrae. Each disc is made up of an outer ring (annulus fibrosus) and inner, ...
Why does my disc bulge?
A bulging disc occurs when the nucleus shifts to press against the disc’s outer ring, causing the disc to flatten and protrude into the spinal canal. Age-related wear and tear on the spine is the most common cause of a bulging disc. A traumatic accident like a car crash or sports accident can also damage spinal discs.
What is the procedure for a slipped disc?
If you have a severe slipped disc that’s causing worsening pain, numbness or weakness, or bowel and bladder dysfunction, your doctor may recommend minimally invasive spine surgery. During surgery, your surgeon will remove the piece of the disc that’s protruding into the spinal canal and compressing nerve roots.
How to protect your spine from disc injuries?
There are steps you can take at home to protect your spine and reduce the risk of disc injuries. Exercise. Regular exercise keeps your spine strong, healthy, and flexible. Focus on strengthening the muscles that support the spine: your core muscles, leg muscles, and low back muscles.
How to get rid of a swollen disc?
Lose weight. Excess weight places more stress and pressure on the spine and spinal discs. Practice good posture. Poor posture places more stress and pressure on the low back and spinal discs — especially when you sit for long periods.
What happens when a disc herniates?
When herniation occurs, the disc material could compress and irritate nearby nerve roots, causing back and leg pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Permanent nerve damage. One of the most significant complications of a bulging disc is permanent nerve damage.
How do you know if you have a bulging disk?
The symptoms of a bulging disk depend on its severity and location in the spine. Some people may experience no initial symptoms. However, with further disk degeneration and herniation, a person may have the following symptoms: back pain that worsens with movement, such as sneezes. spasms in the back muscles.
What is the term for the spongy disks that make up the spine?
A bulging disk occurs when the spongy disks between the bones in the spine become compressed and bulge out. A series of interlocking bones, called vertebrae, make up the spine. These vertebrae provide support for the spine and enable the back to bend and move. Between each vertebra is soft tissue, known as a spinal disk, ...
Why do my vertebrae bulge?
Bulging disks occur when the spongy disks between the vertebrae become compressed and bulge out. A common cause of bulging disks is aging. If this degradation continues, it can lead to a herniated disk. Herniated disks can cause pain, numbness, and mobility issues.
Why does my spine bulge?
Bulging disks result from a reduction of gel in the disk center. Less gel causes the disk to become compressed and start to bulge. The gel in a spinal disk naturally wears away over time. A bulging disk is usually the result of aging, but it can also be due to spinal injury, such as the result of a car accident.
What is a herniated disk?
Sometimes, the outer layer of the disk breaks down and causes a herniated disk. A herniated disk, also known as a ruptured or slipped disk, is when the gel-like center leaks out through a tear in the disk’s exterior wall.
What is the soft tissue between vertebrae?
Between each vertebra is soft tissue, known as a spinal disk, which prevents bones from rubbing against each other. The disks also act as shock absorbers to prevent damage during movement. Each disk contains a tough outer later with gel in the middle. This gel may decrease with age, become compressed, and push out.
What is the pain in the back?
back pain that worsens with movement, such as sneezes . spasms in the back muscles. weakness and numbness in the legs and feet. reduced mobility in the legs, knees, and ankles . decreased bladder and bowel control. difficulty walking.