Full Answer
What to do if you have a bulging disc?
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 bulging disc L4/L5 be treated?
Treatment for a Bulging Disc. 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:
Can you have a bulging disc and not know it?
While there are different forms of treatment for a bulging disc, here at the Scoliosis Reduction Center, I offer patients a conservative and chiropractic-centered treatment approach that uses multiple forms of proactive treatment to not only address the condition’s symptoms, but also their underlying cause.
What are the symptoms of a bulging disc in upper back?
If your goal is to avoid surgery, try these at-home therapies in conjunction with physical therapy: Use an ice pack at the site of the bulging disc. Apply it for 20 minutes over a towel or other thin surface so the ice does not touch your skin ... Alternate ice with hot packs. A moist, hot towel ...
Which doctor is best for disc bulge?
However, only orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons provide surgical treatment for a herniated disc....Providers for Nonsurgical TreatmentInternists.Orthopedic Surgeons.Neurologists.Neurosurgeons.Pain medicine specialists.Physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists (physiatrists)Physical therapists.Rheumatologists.More items...
What will a doctor do for a bulging disc?
Injections. If rest, pain relievers, and physical therapy don't help with your pain, your doctor can inject a steroid medicine into the space around your spinal nerve. This is called an epidural injection. The steroid can help bring down the swelling, help you move more easily, and ease pain from a herniated disk.Jan 20, 2021
Will a chiropractor help a bulging disk?
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
Is disc bulge serious?
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.
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.Oct 2, 2020
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 walking good for a bulging disc?
Absolutely. Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.Jan 14, 2019
Can you massage a bulging disc back into place?
Deep Tissue Massage: There are more than 100 types of massage, but deep tissue massage is an ideal option if you have a herniated disc because it uses a great deal of pressure to relieve deep muscle tension and spasms, which develop to prevent muscle motion at the affected area.
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.
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 ...
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 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 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, ...
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 remove a bulging disc?
Microdiskectomy is the most common type of surgery for patients suffering from bulging disc l4/l5. A doctor will use a small incision above the affected vertebrae and he will use a microscope. You can get a clear idea of how small the incision is. A doctor will remove the tissue that is pressing the nerve. In some cases, the same procedure may be used for multiple discs. After it, a patient will need recovery and a doctor will likely recommend 30-minute walks every single day. This procedure is helpful to 85% patients and full recovery time is 6 weeks.
How long does it take to recover from a bulging disc?
If you are just diagnosed with bulging disc l4/l5 condition, you will need plenty of time to recover. In most cases, this time frame is 90 days long. Below, we will explain how the recovery looks and what you can expect in detail.
Why does my leg hurt when I have a bulging disc?
Bulging disc L4/L5 usually causes a pain sensation that is present in the back of the leg. It is called sciatica due to the fact it occurs when a bulging disc touches the sciatic nerve. It is obviously common symptom that can be a nightmare. Some patients have reported that the pain is so intense that it feels like being stabbed with a knife! Others explain it as being stabbed by someone with a hot poker.
What is the lowest part of the spine?
The lowest part of the spine is made from lumbar vertebrae known as L1-L5. The lowest one is L5. Bulging disc L4/L5 affects this section of the spine, so it was crucial to explain how the human spine looks and how it is made. Sacrum is located below the vertebrae L5.
How to understand L4/L5?
In order to understand bulging disc L4/L5 completely, you need to know something about the human spine. It is an impressive and extremely complex part of our body. Our spine is made from the vertebra. Every single person has 24 of them. Some will even say that a vertebra looks funny or strange. In essence, these are bones, stacked from the bottom section of your back and reach the upper neck.
Where is the sacrum located?
Sacrum is located below the vertebrae L5. It is another weird looking bone that connects the pelvis. In other words, it is located between the left and right sides of pelvis. Sacrum is obviously one bone that has sets of nerves passing through. There are 4 of them, known S1, S2, S3, and S4.
What happens if you don't wear proper shoes?
If you don’t wear proper, orthopedic shoes but you do run every single day for miles, you are at a higher risk of developing bulging disc l4/l5. Explanation is complicated but improper shoes cannot give you the posture your body needs under physical stress.
How to help a bulging disc in back?
Instead, spend around 30 minutes in a comfortable position and then get up and walk around and do gentle stretches to warm things up.
How to get rid of a bulging disc?
Don’t automatically reach for the acetaminophen — that’s like putting a bandaid on your pain. 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.
Why does sciatica radiate?
Since the sciatic nerve runs over the buttocks on both sides and down the legs, the pain tends to radiate, usually on just one side. For example, you might feel a stabbing pain in one buttock and then down the leg on that side.
How to treat a swollen thigh?
Home treatment can be useful for those with mild to moderate pain or at least until you can see a pain management specialist. 1. Ice and Heat. One or both of these home remedies can be a lifesaver when you are in pain. Start with ice to relieve inflammation.
Where do herniated discs occur?
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, cases occur due to a herniated disc.
Can a bulging disc cause back pain?
A bulging, herniated, or slipped disc is a common medical problem, especially for those over the age of 35. While you might feel some pain from a bulging disc, many people have them and don’t know it. Others will have back pain but not know what’s causing it. The good news is many people with chronic back or neck pain from a bulging disc respond ...
Does yoga help with back pain?
The study authors found that yoga provided long-term relief in some cases. Yoga is also a practice that is unlikely to cause further injury when done correctly.
