The concentric rings made from cartilage and other materials that are located between your vertebrae are known as discs. These discs provide a cushion between the vertebrae, preventing them from grinding against one another while your spine is moving. Boise chiropractors have very good results when treating this type of problem and this article will help to shed some light on the problem.
What is a bulging disc?
If you receive a diagnosis of a bulging disc, it means that a portion of one of your intervertebral discs is protruding past the outer edge of the vertebra. When this happens, the likelihood of the disc pressing on a nerve or other tissue increases. Bulging discs are common, and while they often remain asymptomatic, they do have the potential to cause debilitating pain in some cases.
A bulging disc can be caused by sports injuries or other trauma such as a bad fall or car accident. Regular aging can also cause a bulging disc because the outer portion of your discs can become weaker over time. When pressure from the center of a disc stretches to the outer perimeter, a bulging disc may be the result.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a bulging disc begin when the disc puts pressure on nerves in your spine. Almost 90% of bulging discs occur in the lumbar region of the back. In certain cases, pain can radiate from that area to your hips, buttocks, legs, and down to your feet. If you happen to have a bulging disc in your cervical spine, you may notice pain radiating downward from your neck through your arms and to your fingers. In a worst-case scenario, a bulging disc can cause severe pain that almost limits mobility completely.
When do I need surgery vs. treatment?
A bulging disk is a common spinal condition in which the outer layer of the intervertebral disk protrudes beyond its normal boundary. Most people with a bulging disk can recover without surgery, and conservative treatment such as physical therapy, pain management, and activity modification can be effective in relieving symptoms. Surgery is usually considered as a last resort when other treatments have failed or in cases where there are severe neurological deficits, such as muscle weakness, numbness, or bowel/bladder dysfunction.
There are some situations where surgery may be necessary to treat a bulging disk, including:
If conservative treatments fail: If non-surgical treatments such as physical therapy, medications, or injections fail to provide relief of symptoms, surgery may be considered.
If the bulging disk is compressing a nerve: If the bulging disk is pressing on a nerve root or spinal cord, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure and prevent permanent nerve damage.
If there is significant loss of function: If the bulging disk causes significant loss of function, such as weakness, numbness, or difficulty walking, surgery may be necessary to prevent further damage.
If there is a spinal instability: If the bulging disk has caused spinal instability, surgery may be required to stabilize the spine and prevent further damage.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo surgery for a bulging disk depends on a variety of factors, including the severity of symptoms, the level of impairment, and the individual’s overall health. It’s important to discuss all treatment options with a qualified medical professional to determine the best course of action for each individual case.
Bulging Disc Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment for a bulging disc may include gentle spinal adjustment at the site of the problem and exercises. Each patient is treated as an individual and treatment plans are customized for maximum effectiveness. Usually, several sessions are required to ensure the disc is successfully improved back to where it needs to be and that the patient is making steady progress.
We hope this information helps you to make the best choice for your health. Our chiropractic team at Thrive Chiropractic is here to assist you in any way we can. Feel free to contact us today for more information.
