what is the best treatment for bulging disk

What are the most common treatments for bulging discs?

Commonly prescribed conservative treatments include: Anti-inflammatory medications Epidural steroid injections Physical therapy Exercise Lifestyle changes, including losing weight and quitting smoking

How to heal a bulging disc naturally?

Mar 08, 2017 · A patient should change body positioning and behaviors (sleeping, sitting and posture positions) first to help reduce any bulging disc symptoms or pain caused by the affected disc. Addressing causal factors may help to slow the worsening of the condition. A healthy weight reduction plan and exercise can be used to help obese patients.

Can a bulging disc go back to normal?

Bulging discs in the neck can be treated with physical therapy and exercises. Gentle neck stretching and exercises to strengthen its muscles are part of this routine. Additionally, pain medication and surgery are offered as additional options. Nonsurgical

What to do if you have a bulging disc in your lower back?

Jan 17, 2022 · Treatments for a bulging disk will depend on its severity and location. Doctors may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to help with pain and reduce inflammation. For people with severe pain,...

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.Jan 27, 2022

How long do bulging discs take to heal?

Most (80-90%) cases involving bulging or herniated discs will heal within 2-4 months. This of course depends on the severity of the injury, as well as your age and overall health. An important difference is that a herniated disc is a permanent injury that usually results in chronic, recurring pain.Aug 8, 2020

Can you fix a bulging disc without surgery?

When the centre or nucleus of a disc pushes out and even passes through the wall of the disc, this is what we refer to as a herniated disc. The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment.Oct 8, 2020

How do you fix a bulging disc in your back?

Nonsurgical treatment may include:Rest. One to 2 days of bed rest will usually help relieve back and leg pain. ... Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain.Physical therapy. ... Epidural steroid injection.

Is a bulging disc permanent?

Disc bulges are not permanent. The disc is a fluid filled structure and therefore has the capacity to heal, resolve and be re-absorbed.Feb 18, 2020

Is a bulging disc serious?

One of the most significant complications of a bulging disc is permanent nerve damage. Without treatment, compressed nerve roots in the spine can be permanently damaged, leading to chronic pain, weakness, and loss of sensation.

Can a bulging disc go back into place?

Non-surgical treatments can include physical therapy or bracing to try and gradually ease the bulging disc back into its rightful place. When these conservative options fail, and there is still a lot of pain, a minimally invasive surgical procedure can be used to correct the bulging disc.Feb 24, 2014

Is bed rest good for bulging disc?

Most often 1-2 days of strict bed rest will calm severe back pain. Bed rest should not exceed 48 hours. Once you are back into your daily routine, you should take frequent rest breaks throughout the day- but avoid sitting for long periods of time.

Can a chiropractor fix a bulging disc?

Yes! Chiropractic care is the preferred treatment method for many patients suffering from a bulging disc. It is non-invasive and does not require drugs or injections of any kind. Chiropractic can help provide you with improved mobility, decreased pain, and overall better quality of life.Feb 16, 2020

Can a bulging disc get worse?

Do disc bulges get worse over time? Unfortunately if disc bulges are left untreated, and if the abnormal spinal stresses that caused them continue, they will often worsen over time.

What causes bulging disc in lower back?

A bulging disk usually results from aging, but it can also be due to spinal injury, such as the result of a car accident. An injury could also cause symptoms to become more severe. Other risk factors include: engaging in some types of physical activity, especially if they involve repetitive movements.

How do you fix a bulging disc at home?

For mild herniated disc pain, relieve the inflammation to decrease pain. For instance, applying a heating pad or ice pack to the affected area may be a good way to temporarily relieve your pain and reduce inflammation. Take 10-15 minutes twice a day to lie on your stomach with one to two pillows under your hips.Mar 20, 2018

So, What Is A Bulging Disc?

To understand what a bulging disc is, we must first understand the anatomy of the spine. Put simply, the spine is made up of individual vertebrae s...

What Causes A Bulging Disc?

● Seated in poor posture for long periods of time (in office, driving, etc..)● Repetitive bending, lifting, and twisting (Esp in poor form). ● Heav...

How Is A Bulging Disc Different from Herniated Disc? and Which Is Worse?

Now that we know what a bulging disc is, let’s discuss disc herniation. ● In most simple terms, a herniated disc is when the fluid material from th...

What Are The Symptoms of A Bulging Disc in The Lumbar Spine?

● Low Back Pain● Pain Can Travel Down Leg ● Decreased Lumbar Lordosis (Lower Back Curvature Becomes Flattened – Flatter Lower Back Over Time) ● Lum...

What Are The Most Effective Treatment Options?

With most bulging discs in the lower back, you want to use an extension based exercise programs. This can reverse the direction of the bulge and pu...

Exercise #1: Lying Figure-4 Stretch (For Piriformis)

In the early stages of a disc bulge, your body’s natural response is to tighten up and protect the spine and buttocks area. Because of this, one of...

Exercise #2: Prone Alternating Leg Raises

The prone leg lift creates spinal extension helping push the jelly-like material back towards the center and reduce bulging disc.

Exercise #3: Half Cobra Pose

The half cobra pose creates spinal extension helping push the nucleus (jelly) back towards the center and reduce bulging disc.

Exercise #4: Full Cobra Pose

The full cobra pose creates even more spinal extension than half cobra helping push the nucleus (jelly) back towards the center and reduce bulging...

Exercise #5: Abdominal Drawing Maneuver

A solid core foundation helps provide stability which in turn prevents re-injury and further injury from occurring. This will help reset the spine...

What to do for a bulging disc?

Bulging disc treatment options depend largely on your symptoms. Doctors often recommend acupuncture, electrotherapy, ice packs, or soft tissue massage for minor and moderately bulging disc injuries. You might also want to consider chiropractic treatment.

What is the best treatment for a damaged disc?

You might also want to consider chiropractic treatment. Another option is stem cell disc regeneration. This procedure stimulates the formation of new disc cells, which helps restore and rebuild damaged discs. Patients experience a reduction in pain and discomfort – and improved quality of life.

What causes discs to bulge?

While aging is the most common cause of bulging discs, there are other factors that may contribute to this condition. These include: 1 A family history of spinal problems 2 Direct trauma 3 Sports injuries 4 Poor lifting technique 5 Muscle and posture imbalances 6 Cigarette smoking 7 Obesity 8 Lack of exercise 9 Slips and falls

Why does my lower back hurt?

In some cases, the pain can worsen and become chronic. This condition can have a variety of cases, from poor posture to arthritis and injuries. Sometimes, it results from a bulging disc.

How to improve range of motion?

Certain techniques, such as electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, traction, joint mobilization, and soft tissue massage, can relieve pain and improve your range of motion. Electrical stimulation, for instance, helps reduce muscle spasms. Joint mobilization can increase your flexibility and normalize joint function.

Where do bulging discs occur?

Also known as a disc protrusion, bulging discs typically occur in the lower back between vertebrae L5 and S1 or L4 and L5. Their symptoms vary from one individual to another. Some people may experience no symptoms at all, while others report excruciating pain.

How to treat muscle spasms?

All you need to do is to apply ice on the affected areas for about 10 minutes; repeat several times a day. Heat therapy may relieve muscle spasms and ease your pain. It also helps increase oxygen and blood flow to your tissues, leading to faster healing. Depending on your symptoms, you may alternate ice and heat.

What is a bulging disc?

To understand what a bulging disc is, we must first understand the anatomy of the spine. Put simply, the spine is made up of individual vertebrae stacked on top of each other. Between each vertebrae is an intervertebral disc that provides a cushion so the vertebrae don’t rub together. The discs between the vertebrae, ...

How to tell if a disc is bulging?

What are the Symptoms of a Bulging Disc in the Lumbar Spine? 1 At times NO symptoms at all. [2] [7] 2 General Low back pain. [4] 3 Pain can travel down the leg if it pinches on a nerve. [4] 4 Decreased lumbar lordosis (lower back curvature becomes flattened). [6] 5 Muscle spasm [4]

What is the best exercise to strengthen your core?

Exercise #5: Plank – To Strengthen Core/Abs. A strong core will protect the spine and improve one’s posture. Therefore this exercise is great at targeting those deep core muscles. ● Begin lying on your stomach with your forearms against the mat.

Does a bulging disc hurt?

[1] [3] * It is important to note that a bulging disc doesn’t always touch the nerves , and for many a bulged disc doesn’t even produce any pain at all. [2] [7] However, it could progress ...

Can you reverse a bulging disc?

Leon’s Notes: There’s some research showing that a bulging disc can in fact be reversed with exercise and posture modifications. Meaning you could actually push back the disc material, so it doesn’t bulge. With most bulging discs in the lower back, you want to try an extension based exercise program (Mckenzie method is a popular one). [5] .

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 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.

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 is the inner layer of the spine?

The jelly-like inner layer of the disc, called the nucleus pulposus, has no direct blood supply and needs alternating compressing (think: sitting) and decompressing forces ...

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, ...

What is it called when you have a pinched nerve?

When the affected nerve is the sciatic nerve, this is referred to as sciatica. To learn more about pinched nerves, click here. If the nerves from the surrounding tissues grow into the disc, they can transmit pain signals. (Normal discs do not have a direct nerve supply.) ×.

What is the best treatment for a bulging disc?

Minimally Invasive treatments are becoming more common and endoscopic spine surgery might be an option in relieving the pain. Surgeons can utilize minor surgical techniques in order to correct bulging disc problems.

What is the best way to diagnose bulging discs?

A thorough medical examination including X-ray and in some cases, CT or MRI scans are necessary to diagnose bulging disc conditions to the full extent accurately. These testing formats show changes in shape and condition of the disc.

What causes a bulging disc?

Potential Causes for a Bulging Disc 1 People who have led a sedentary lifestyle or those who smoke increase the chances for bulging disc. 2 Continuous strain on the disc from injury or heavy lifting and strain can wear them down throughout the years. 3 Weakened back muscles can accelerate the process and may lead to a sudden herniation of the weakened disc. 4 Although bulging discs occur over time, herniated discs may occur quickly by trauma. 5 Bad posture including improper body positioning during sleep, sitting, standing or exercise are all risk factors which may contribute to the development of a bulging disc. 6 Obesity 7 High contact sports or activities are also risk factors. 8 Runners who fail to use shoes that provide orthopedic support may also develop bulging discs. 9 Activities that place stress and strain on the spine can lead to the weakening of the discs.

Why does my upper back hurt?

Upper back pain radiating to the stomach or chest may be a symptom of a mid-spine bulging disc. Muscle spasms may also occur with any bulging disc. While some patients may go on for years without disturbing symptoms, others may experience extreme or life threatening consequences.

What does it mean when your disc is bulging?

In most cases, when a bulging disc has reached this stage it is near or at herniation. Tingling or pain in the fingers, hands, arms, neck or shoulders. This could indicate a bulging disc in the cervical area. Pain in the feet, thighs, lower spine and buttocks. This is the most common symptom and could indicate an issue in the lumbar region.

How to help a swollen thigh?

It is also recommended to use heating pads, ice packs, massage therapy, and exercise to reduce pain symptoms. Some physicians may recommend taping or bracing to support the affected area for a length of time.

Why do my discs bulge?

Although bulging discs occur over time, herniated discs may occur quickly by trauma. Bad posture including improper body positioning during sleep, sitting, standing or exercise are all risk factors which may contribute to the development of a bulging disc. Obesity. High contact sports or activities are also risk factors.

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.

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.

How to tell if you have a herniated disk?

Some people may experience no initial symptoms. However, with further disk degeneration and herniation, a person may have the following symptoms: 1 back pain that worsens with movement, such as sneezes 2 spasms in the back muscles 3 weakness and numbness in the legs and feet 4 reduced mobility in the legs, knees, and ankles 5 decreased bladder and bowel control 6 difficulty walking 7 sciatica 8 reduced coordination

What are the bones that make up the spine?

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, which prevents bones from rubbing against each other.

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.

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.

Can sciatica cause weakness?

A herniated disk in the upper part of the spine may trigger similar symptoms. However, instead of affecting the legs, it may cause symptoms in the upper body, including numbness and weakness. Pain may also radiate to different areas of the body, such as the arms or rib cage.

What to do if you have a herniated disk?

During the physical exam, your doctor will check your back for tenderness. You might be asked to lie flat and move your legs into various positions to help determine the cause of your pain. Your doctor may also perform a neurological exam to check your: In most cases of herniated disk, a physical exam and a medical history are all that's needed ...

What is the procedure to remove a herniated disk?

Surgery. Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior. This can irritate or compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.

What is the difference between a CT scan and an MRI?

A CT scanner takes a series of X-rays from different directions and then combines them to create cross-sectional images of your spinal column and the structures around it. MRI. Radio waves and a strong magnetic field are used to create images of your body's internal structures.

How to treat low back pain?

Spinal manipulation has been found to be moderately effective for low back pain that has lasted for at least a month. Rarely, chiropractic treatment of the neck can cause certain types of strokes. Acupuncture. Although results are usually modest, acupuncture appears to ease chronic back and neck pain. Massage.

How to get rid of a swollen thigh?

Instead, rest in a position of comfort for 30 minutes, and then go for a short walk or do some work. Try to avoid activities that worsen your pain.

Can a surgeon remove a disk?

Loss of bladder or bowel control. In nearly all cases, surgeons can remove just the protruding portion of the disk. Rarely, the entire disk must be removed. In these cases, the vertebrae may need to be fused with a bone graft.

What is nerve conduction?

Nerve conduction study. This test measures electrical nerve impulses and functioning in your muscles and nerves through electrodes placed on your skin. The study measures the electrical impulses in your nerve signals when a small current passes through the nerve. Electromyography (EMG).