How to heal a bulging disc naturally?
The following supplements are also beneficial for herniated disc treatment:
- Omega-3 fish oil supplement — 1,000–2,000 milligrams a day — or a fish roe supplement ( 4)
- MSM supplement, a sulfur-containing supplement that helps with joint repair ( 5, 6)
- Glucosamine and chondroitin ( 7)
- Anti-inflammatory herbs, such as turmeric (curcumin), help heal and repair damaged tissues ( 8)
What does it mean if you have a bulging disc?
The type of pain caused by a bulging disc is a clue to where the abnormal disc is located:
- 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.
What can a neurologist do for a bulging disc?
When Should You Consult A Neurosurgeon
- Persistent Pain. If your pain is still nagging after three to four weeks, it may be chronic. ...
- Conservative Measures Are Not Helping. ...
- Your Symptoms Indicate Disc Problems. ...
- You Have Experienced Trauma. ...
- You Are Older. ...
- You Have Symptoms that Should Be Addressed Urgently. ...
What surgery is done for a bulging disc?
There are two kinds of surgeries used for bulging discs — open spine and laser spine. The first type, open spine surgery, is one of the most complicated procedures. It requires an extremely steady hand operating for a very long time. Expect to be bedridden for weeks. After surgery, the area takes a lot of time to completely heal.
Do herniated discs always show on MRI?
They found MRI to be 72% sensitive, 68% specific, and 70% accurate in detecting containment status of lumbar herniated discs. More specifically 28% of patients that showed a disc herniation on MRI actually did NOT have one during surgery. Conversely, 33% of patients with a negative MRI actually had a herniation.
Can MRI miss back problems?
Even though MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) is considered a “gold standard” in evaluating spinal problems it is not perfect. The difficulty with the results of an MRI scan, as with many other diagnostic studies, is that the "abnormality" that shows up on the MRI scan may not actually be the cause of back pain.
Can a bulging disc disappear?
Here's the punchline, your lumbar disc bulge may have disappeared if you get your back scanned again in a years' time. In fact, it probably will. One study found that those with disc bulges had the following percentage of disc regression or complete re-absorption.
How common are disc bulges on MRI?
However, studies have shown over and over, that disc bulges are incredibly common, and can be seen on MRIs of people without back pain or spine problems.
Can MRIS miss things?
A false negative diagnosis made off an MRI scan could lead the neurologist and patient down an incorrect path and delay an accurate diagnosis, or potentially miss it entirely.
What does not show up on MRI?
Air and hard bone do not give an MRI signal so these areas appear black. Bone marrow, spinal fluid, blood and soft tissues vary in intensity from black to white, depending on the amount of fat and water present in each tissue and the machine settings used for the scan.
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.
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.
Can a bulging disc heal after 2 years?
After 2 years: 76 people out of 100 who had surgery had no symptoms or almost no symptoms. This means that 24 still had some symptoms. 69 people out of 100 who had non-surgical treatment had no symptoms or almost no symptoms.
Is a disc bulge a serious problem?
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.
Which is worse bulging or herniated disk?
Herniated discs are considered more severe than bulging discs because they put significant pressure on nearby nerves, which can cause intense pain, inflammation and difficulties with movement.
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.
Why is it important to choose a spine surgeon?
You choice of a spine surgeon is critical because spine surgery can make you worse. Often screws and rods are placed , and if the screws are not set at the correct angles into good quality bone, they can pull out with the pressure at the lower spine and twisting movements.
What kind of surgeon can help with deformity?
The best thing you can do for yourself right now is to see a good spine surgeon who specializes in deformity cases. Both neuro-surgeons and orthopedic surgeons operate on the spine, but choose a surgeon who only does these types of surgeries. They are not all alike or have the same skills.
Why do people get MRIs?
Patient sometimes demand to get an MRI scan for their lower back pain in a desire to ͞ensure that nothing is wrong with their bodies. MRI) is one of the most advanced ways of getting detailed imaging of the spine, and weightlifters who happen to get an MRI will sometimes be informed that one of the discs between their spinal columns is bulging out into the spinal cord. This can cause unnecessary fear and paranoia in patients, causing fear that future back pain may occur if they keep lifting heavy weights.
What are the red flags when you have lower back pain?
Red flags when getting lower back pain include: – Weight loss or reduced general condition. – Progressively increasing difficulties walking or grabbing objects, or increasing numbness. – Difficulties when using the toilet (constipation or problems urinating). – Numbness between buttocks or between your inner thighs.
How long does it take for lower back pain to heal?
90% of this type of lower back pain is self-healed within 3 months, but other types may be dangerous and require treatment.
Can disc herniations heal without surgery?
While there is a lot that goes into this issue, two things to keep in mind is (1) disc herniations are among people without back pain, and (2) they can heal with time without surgery. Let’s dig deeper! Modern medical technology gives us the ability to find more diseases which were impossible to find just 10 years ago.
Can a 20 year old have a bulging disc?
MRI-studies on people without back pain have revealed that over 30% of 20 year olds and over 80% of 80 year olds have bulging discs, with NO SYMPTOMS of back pain! Further studies have followed up these patients and found that the bulging disc on an MRI doesn’t even increase the risk for future back pain. Therefore, MRI image results should only be ...
When should I get an MRI for back pain?
People that get an MRI within the first 6 weeks of developing back pain are 8 times more likely to have unnecessary surgery. THINK ABOUT THAT! The AAFP (American Academy of Family Physicians) recommends NO imaging within the first 6 weeks unless there are specific red flags present. This is because of that fact above.
How many people have disc bulges in their neck?
The study to the left examined the neck and the one to the right looked at the lower back. 80% of people over 30 years old have disc bulges in their necks and experience ZERO symptoms. In the lumbar spine, once you hit 40 years old there is a 50% chance you have a disc bulge and experience ZERO symptoms. And the numbers go up from there.
What is the blue line of disc degeneration?
Lets define them: Disc Degeneration (blue line): Basically degradation of the discs of the spine. It is not a disease, unless you call aging a disease. The water content of the discs dry out and the discs will be compressed.
Do people with no back pain have bulging discs?
The vast majority of people without back pain have bulging discs . In fact, a few studies were performed recently that looked a the images of necks and backs. All of the people involved in the studies were healthy and without pain. Below are graphical representations of the outcomes.
What is the most important thing to receive after an MRI?
The one thing very important thing that you receive after an MRI is the MRI radiology report. This is the 1-3 page report where the radiologist reads your films, measures, and reports exactly what’s going on with your back.
Should I seek a second opinion before a procedure?
Your doctor needs to take time to thoroughly explain what is going on and how that procedure can help you. And if he/she hasn’t, it may be a good idea to seek a second opinion before moving forward.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.