Bulging Disc Problems – Causes, Symptoms and Recovery

A bulging disc is a common injury at the spinal column in the intervertebral disc because of trauma or injury in the neck or back or any age-related injury. It can happen in the lumbar spine, thoracic spine and cervical spine. The disc becomes so much weakened that it protrudes into the spinal canal of the neck that is often known as cervical bulging disc. The problem in the mid-back is known as thoracic bulging disc and the lower back problem is called lumbar bulging disc. This bulging disc pinches the nerve roots though out the spinal cord and puts pressure on the surrounding nerves and nerve roots. The back pain and the back spasms with bulging disc start spreading to the upper and lower back extremities on which you should immediately start treatment for bulging disc in lower back or other areas.

Bulging Disc Causes

• Car accident

• Existing weakness in annulus

• Poor posture and body mechanics putting pressure on the spinal discs

• Disc torsion because of repetitive work because of lots of bending, lifting or twisting

• Old back injury due to a deVere fall

• Sitting, driving or standing for prolonged period

• Forceful motions and movements in sports

• Poor techniques of heavy lifting

• Repetitive forceful motions in certain sports

• Fat around abdomen and lack of core stability

• Less strength in lower limb

Symptoms

Pain or tingling sensation in the hands, arms or fingers or on the neck or shoulders. It indicates cervical bulging disc.

Painful feet, lower spine, thighs and buttocks are another symptom. This is one of the most common symptoms at the lumbar region.

Problems to walk or feeling impairment to lift or hold things.

Treatment of Bulging Disc

A patient must change the positioning of the body and the behaviors. The behaviors include sitting, sleeping or other posture positions. It helps reduce the bulging disc symptoms or the pain induced by the affected disc. Addressing the factors would help to slow down the worsening condition.

A healthy plan for weight reduction along with exercise can help to control weight.

Often times, as a part of treatment for bulging disc, a doctor can recommend physical therapies for muscle strengthening in the back or to recover lost muscle immobility.

You can also use ice packs, heating pads, massage therapy or other exercises for pain reduction. Sometimes patients are recommended to use braces or tapes for supporting the affected area. When this is an emergency case, a doctor can perform a surgery.

Over the counter medications such as NSAIDs or prescribed pain relievers can help in reducing the pain along with muscle relaxants or epidural steroid injections.

Ask a physical therapist for exercises and therapies to strengthen your muscles, core, relief stress from the neck and back. The techniques may include TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation stretching exercises, soft tissue massage, acupuncture for controlling injury and inflammation.

Visit us at the Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers for this treatment. See us for bone health, joint health and spinal health.

**Disclaimer: This blog post does not establish terms of a doctor-patient relationship and is not intended to be taken as a doctor's advice.