Bulging disc refers to a tear in the spinal disc that can occur in any part of the spine. This spine injury commonly surfaces in the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine, more commonly known as the upper and lower back. It is considered to be a normal part of the body’s aging process.
As you age, the spine begins to wear down due to years of pressure on the discs. This constant pressure in turn causes the disc to flatten and protrude outside its normal boundaries.
Bulging Disc Symptoms
You can have a bulging disc in any part of the spine, but the injury commonly occurs on the lower back and neck. Here are some indicators of a slipped disc:
- Pain and numbness felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands
- A feeling of heaviness in the legs which can cause difficulty in walking
- Loss of motor skills
- Pain in the upper back that extends to the stomach or the chest
- Muscle weakness
- Tingling and burning sensations in the affected area
- Discomfort that spreads to the buttocks and thighs
Main causes of Bulging Disc
A bulging disc occurs when the outer ring becomes torn, allowing the disc to slip out through it. The injury generally occurs due to the following causes:
- Repeated trauma due to bad posture, improper lifting, poor ergonomics, and repetitive heavy work
- Obesity and lack of physical activities
- Sudden injury or trauma
- Smoking
- General wear and tear due to aging
- Spinal degeneration which causes a gradual loss of function in the spine
Treatment
The good news about slipped disc is that in most cases, it can be resolved without surgery. With that being said, the treatment will be based on your level of discomfort and on the symptoms, you are experiencing.
Most people find that the disc injury can be treated using exercises that strengthens the back, as well as the muscles surrounding it. But if your slipped disc does not respond to these type of treatment, consider doing the following:
- Visit a Chiropractor for an all-natural treatment
Chiropractic care focuses on the body’s ability to naturally heal itself without the use of surgery or medications. It is used primarily to provide relief for injuries related to the back, the muscles, joints, connective tissue, and ligaments. Chiropractors can help pinpoint the underlying causes of a bulging disc and determine the type of disc issue you have. By using hands-on spinal manipulation, they are able to reduce pain associated with the spinal injury by realigning the spinal disc.
Chiropractors perform physical examinations and use diagnostic imaging to come up with a proper diagnosis. After which, they will create a treatment plan that is appropriate for your disc injury. The treatment plan may involve more than one manual adjustment in which the chiropractors will use a controlled force to improve your range of motion.
- See a physical therapist
There is typically little to no pain associated with slipped disc, but if you find that pain has developed to the point where you find it difficult to move around normally, then you may want to consider seeking the help of a physical therapist.
There are many different types of physical therapy techniques that help address the symptoms of bulging disc. At the start of your therapy program, your physical therapist may begin with passive treatments to relax your body. Once your condition improves, then that is the time you will progress to the active treatments where you will do exercises that are aimed to build strength and prevent further pain. Active treatments are focused on strengthening the core, building strong muscles, and promoting proper stretching and flexibility so you can move easier without stiffness.
Seek advice from a local physiotherapist, like Trained Physio Perth, for specific advice to help you recover from injuries and to put a management plan in place.
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