Bulging Disc Treatment
Bulging Disc Treatment Albany, OR
Bulging disc treatment helps not only alleviate pain but prevents more severe spinal complications. A bulging disc refers to a condition that affects the back and neck, causing pain, weakness, and numbness in the arms and legs. Bulging discs can cause tremendous pain without treatment, affecting how a person walks and performs their normal daily activities.
At Better Pain Solutions, we offer bulging disc treatments for patients in Albany and the surrounding area. Our team can properly diagnose your condition and treat you while helping you learn to manage your symptoms and condition. To learn more about a procedure or schedule an appointment, call (541) 249-7317 today.
Bulging Disc Treatment Q&A
The spinal cord is a cylindrical column that consists of a band of tissues, nerves, and cells. The outer layer of the spinal cord, called the vertebral column, consists of vertebrae and discs. The vertebrae are stacked one on top of the other along the spinal cord, with discs between each vertebrae. Each disc contains a hard protective shell and a gel-like substance in its interior, which acts as a cushion for the vertebrae and entire spinal cord.
A bulging disc, also called a herniated, ruptured, or protruding disc, refers to the “bulging” of one or more discs in the spinal cord. The condition typically occurs when the outer shell of the spinal disc weakens, allowing the internal substance to “bulge” out from the spinal canal or flatten out. In most cases, bulging discs occur at the bottom of the lumbar spine due to excessive pressure, weight, and undue stress.
Bulging discs result primarily from a change in the gel-like substance within the discs, due to compression. This causes the discs to flat out, bulge, and leak. The most common cause of bulging discs is aging due to constant wear and tear. Bulging discs can also occur from an injury, such as a car accident, or damage to the spinal cord.
Although bulging discs are quite common and can happen to anyone, especially with age, there are certain risk factors that make one more susceptible to developing the condition. These risk factors include:
- A job that includes lifting heavy objects
- A sedentary lifestyle with limited physical activity
- Driving and sitting frequently
- Engaging in physical activity that includes repetitive motion
- Obesity or being overweight
- Smoking (may accelerate degeneration by reducing oxygen supply to the disc)
It is important to stretch properly in the mornings and throughout the day, without overstretching or putting unnecessary pressure on the discs. We may recommend certain exercises that offer relief for back pain while keeping the spinal column safe.
Three tell-tale signs of a bulging disc include pain while sitting, radiating pain in the leg (Sciatica), and pain aggravated by physical activity. Although these signs can occur for a variety of reasons and with various conditions, experiencing all three often indicates a problem with the spinal discs.
Additionally, bulging discs can affect other parts of the body and negatively impact a person’s physical activity, including how they move, walk, and sit. Symptoms of a bulging disc can include one or more of the following:
- Leg, arm, or hand pain, numbness, and weakness
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Spasms
- Stiffness
- Tingling
Chiropractic care and non-invasive procedures can greatly reduce these symptoms, alleviate pain, and relieve discomfort. We first determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms and diagnose their condition before discussing possible treatment options.
Incorporating regular, basic physical activity for 20 to 30 minutes daily can greatly improve your condition and alleviate pain. Heating pads and cold compresses also work; switch them out for 20-minute intervals each. Stretching and chiropractic exercises can help you maintain pain management at home. We will recommend these based on your unique needs.
A bulging disc can push against the spinal cord and nerve roots, leading to severe pain and problems with mobility. In severe cases, a person may need surgery. Getting treated early and learning to manage your condition can prevent further progression and ease symptoms.