As a general rule, nonsurgical treatment options are effective in most situations. These include over-the-counter pain medications, exercise, cold or heat packs, and activity changes to avoid unpleasant motions until the pain subsides. Bulging discs in the neck can be treated with physical therapy and exercises.
Full Answer
How to get rid of a bulging disc?
1 Physical Therapy. A physical therapy program is typically the first treatment recommended for a bulging disc that is causing light-to-moderate pain. 2 Surgical Treatments. If pain from a bulging disc gets progressively worse, surgery is usually recommended. ... 3 Additional Treatments. ...
What are the best non-surgical treatments for a herniated disc?
A healthy weight reduction plan and exercise can be used to help obese patients. In some cases, a doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen muscles in the back and to regain any lost mobility. Before herniation, many of the non-surgical treatments are successful in managing bulging discs. Pain management options depend on the severity.
Can chiropractic adjustments help bulging discs?
Chiropractic adjustments have been well-researched for treating symptoms of bulging discs, including sciatic nerve pain, stiff neck and chronic lower back pain.
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?
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: 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.
What is the best therapy for a bulging disc?
Treatment for a Bulging DiscMedication. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are the first-line medications for a bulging disc. ... Physical therapy. ... Chiropractic. ... Massage. ... Ultrasound therapy. ... Heat or cold. ... Limited bed rest. ... Braces and support devices.More items...•
What are the conservative treatment for bulging disc?
7 Conservative Treatments for a Bulging DiscGet some Rest. ... See a chiropractor for spinal adjustments. ... Visit a physical therapists. ... Apply heat and ice. ... Stay active. ... Stand up straight – Correct your posture. ... Eat an anti-inflammatory diet.
Do bulging discs ever fully heal?
Unfortunately, there is no clear-cut answer as to whether your disc herniation will fully heal. With treatment, a disc herniation can dry up, shrink or go away. Your body may have an autoimmune response and aid in healing the herniation.
Can bulging discs be treated 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.
Is bed rest good for bulging disc?
He explains that it's best to be up about as much as possible; complete bed rest for a herniated disc is not recommended. Many patients with a slipped disc find that sleeping in a recliner chair is most comfortable.
How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal without surgery?
How long can it take for my herniated disc to heal without surgery? Herniated discs are more likely to occur in your neck or lower back, and most of them heal without surgery in six to eight weeks.
Is L4 L5 disc bulge serious?
Most importantly, an L4-L5 disc bulge can lead to prolonged pain and other, more serious conditions like spondylolisthesis if you delay treatment. Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which a vertebra shifts or slips, and can cause significant pain that may require surgery to fix.
Can a chiropractor help a bulging disc?
Chiropractic has been proven to be an effective treatment for bulging disc and the associated pain. A herniated disc is a relatively common condition that can occur anywhere along the spine, but most often affects the lower back or neck region.
Why is my bulging disc not healing?
Sometimes, the nerves are actually damaged by the pressure from the disc herniation and may not recover completely. You may also develop scar tissue around the nerves weeks after the operation that causes pain similar to what you had before the operation.
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.
What is the best 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 is the reason for disc bulge?
Causes Of Bulging Disc Vehicle accident. Already existing annulus weakness. Body mechanics and poor posture that put stress on the spinal disc. Torsion of disc from repetitive work with a lot of bending, twisting or lifting.
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.
How to treat a bulging disc?
A physical therapy program is typically the first treatment recommended for a bulging disc that is causing light-to-moderate pain. A majority of patients report a noticeable decrease in symptoms within a relatively short period of time. Physical therapy treatments for bulging discs may include: 1 Deep tissue massages 2 Hot and cold therapies 3 Hydrotherapy (relaxing in warm water, often with whirlpool action) 4 Traction 5 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (use of electrical current from a special machine to stimulate back muscles)
What is the best treatment for a bulging disc?
Physical Therapy . A physical therapy program is typically the first treatment recommended for a bulging disc that is causing light-to-moderate pain. A majority of patients report a noticeable decrease in symptoms within a relatively short period of time.
What is the procedure for a bulging disc?
A surgeon typically performs either a laminotomy (partial removal of plates of bone known as the lamina) or a discectomy (removal of disc material that’s pressing on nerve roots).
How to contact Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration?
If you have been diagnosed with a bulging disc and are seeking treatment or a second opinion, reach out to The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration today at 310-828-7757 and schedule an in-person consultation with one of our spinal specialists. We look forward to hearing from you.
Where is the decompression of the disc located?
A transthoracic decompression is performed when the bulging disc is located in the thoracic spine ( the middle segment of the vertebral column) where a small opening is made in the side of the chest to remove part of the vertebral body and the affected disc.
Can a bulging disc be herniated?
Additional treatment options for bulging discs include, but are not limited to: If the disc ruptures, it then becomes a herniated disc , which is more likely to be painful enough to require surgery. Treatment for a bulging disc ultimately depends on the location of the bulge and the degree of pain or discomfort.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to stop bulging discs?
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.
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.
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.
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 to help a herniated disc?
A healthy weight reduction plan and exercise can be used to help obese patients. In some cases, a doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen muscles in the back and to regain any lost mobility. Before herniation, many of the non-surgical treatments are successful in managing bulging discs.
What happens when a disc balloons?
Movement or slipping of the disc from its normal positioning results in an outward swelling of the fluid material throughout the weakest point of the shell of the disc. In many cases, the disc balloons in between spaces in the vertebrae. This process happens over an extended period.
What can a physical therapist do for a bulging disc?
A physical therapist can work with your Los Angeles spine surgeon to put together a personalized treatment plan to help you manage your discomfort from a bulging disc. Physical therapy sessions normally include a mix of stretches and exercises designed to increase mobility, flexibility, and range of motion, but it can also include:
What is a bulging disc?
Some people use the term “bulging disc” to refer to any type of disc-related discomfort. However, this term refers to inner material pushing through the outer layer of a disc. Approximately 90 percent of bulging discs are likely to occur in the lower back area, which can also affect the neck and upper spine. Luckily, there are several conservative treatments, like the seven discussed below, that may provide relief when a bulging disc is irritating a nearby nerve and affecting your daily life.
How to reduce pain from a swollen nerve?
Heat and ice are tried-and-true remedies for pain management because they work in combination to ease nerve irritation and promote healing. Heat applications boost circulation, while ice reduces swelling and inflammation. Just remember to limit heat and/or ice applications to 15-20 minutes at a time and avoid direct skin contact.
Is it good to sleep with bulging discs?
Bed rest isn’t good for bulging discs since too much inactivity can weaken spine-supporting muscles. However, making an effort to get a good night’s sleep on a regular basis can be a good thing for your spine’s discs, especially those that could benefit from some natural healing, which is what generally occurs during the deeper stages of sleep. Strive for about 7-9 hours of sleep per night to naturally ease inflammation and give your discs some time to heal.
How to stop a bulging disc from hurting?
If it provides any relief at all, it will be short. Instead, look for ibuprofen or naproxen to help reduce inflammation from the bulging disc.
How to fix a bulging disc in the back?
On day three or four, switch to heat. Use a heating pad or an over-the-counter heat patch to help relax the muscles. 2. Move on a Schedule. Your first instinct with a bulging disc that’s causing you back pain might be to rest, but that will likely increase the discomfort.
What happens when a disc ruptures?
While a bulging disc and herniations are typically part of aging, damage can occur from an injury such as a fall or from failing to lift correctly.
Where do bulging discs hurt?
Pain From a Bulging Disc. About 90 percent of herniated discs occur in the lumbar region of the spine or the lower back. Those who do experience pain feel it because the bulging part of the disc is pressing against the longest nerve in the body — the sciatic nerve. Ninety percent of sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, ...
Why do discs sit between vertebrae?
The discs sit between each vertebra in the spinal column to provide cushioning and to prevent the bony structures from rubbing against one another when you move. Anatomy of a bulging disc. As people age, the outer band gets more rigid, and the discs lose some of their flexibility.
How to heal a spasm in the back?
Use some common sense when it comes to activity, though. Keep walks 30 minutes or less and avoid bending over or lifting. Overexerting yourself will increase the pain, lengthening your healing time. Avoid strenuous exercise if you are having muscle spasms in your back, too.
Can a bulging disc pop up?
Bulging discs can pop up in the cervical region of the spine (the neck) as well. In those cases, pain radiates down one arm. The hand on that side might tingle or feel numb, too. The pain from a herniated disc can be chronic; in other words, it might come and go. You might feel it after sitting too long or trying to lift a box.
