What is bulging discs and what can be done about it?

Question

Bulging discs of the lower spine (back).

Answer 1

Think of your disc as a jelly doughnut. If it is pushed down, the jelly will start to squash out towards the edge of the doughnut - this is a bulging disc. If the jelly squirts all the way out, this is a herniated disc. The outer wall of the dics, called the annulus, has fibers which form a crosshatch type pattern. These fibers can become weakened and allow the once bulging disc to become herniated.

A bulging disc commonly travels a backwards type direction (posterolateral to be exact). Depending upon how close it is to the annular wall depends on how far down your leg you can feel the symptoms. The outer third of the disc has its own nerve supply and can send pain all the way down to your ankle. When you feel it in the foot, typically you have a herniated disc.

I am a physical therapist who specialized in treating spinal problems, such as yours. One of the most powerful techniques for treating bulging discs is called the McKenzie Method. It is the most researched method for treating these problems. Look on the following website: www.mckenziemdt.org. You can type in your zip code and find the closest certified therapist to you. Ask your doctor for a physical therapy referal and go see the therapist. They will be able to help you tremendously! Also, on the website, you will see exercises that you can start doing yourself.

Typically, only a portion of disc problems respond to Williams Flexion exercises - an anterior bulging disc. If you disc is protruding to the back, the flexion exercises will make it worse.

Good luck!

Answer 2

A bulging disc is when the bony vertebrae squeeze the disc (a shock absorber) a bit. Bulging discs alone are no problem - most everyone over the age of 30 have some.

If the disc bulges too far (disc protrusion) or fragments (disc extrusion) and these parts start touching nerves, or causing pressure in the fluid of the spinal canal, that is when pain happens.

In order to minimize disc bulges, abdominal and back exercises are the way to go. Curls, crunches, sit-ups, stretches, etc. If you know a physical therapist, or can find them on the Web, find out about the Williams flexion exercises. Easy to do and not hard on your body, but good for keeping the back in shape.

Answer 3

Surgery should be the last resort. Back strengthening exercises help. About 20 years ago I had a bulging disc in my lower back and the chiropractor was able to stretch my spine enough to allow it to go back in place within a week. The M.D. had treated it for over a month and was ready to put me in the hospital in traction.

Answer 4

Hi! my name is Stephen and I have bulge discs at l4\5 s1. I go to a pain clinic for a IV once a week. Every three months I get an epidermal in my back at these points. The IV lasts any where from hours to days, depending weather and other factors. The epidermal lasts six weeks plus.

Good luck I really know what you are going through. Take it one day at a time.

Answer 5

There is gel like cushions between your disc. If spine or disc are compressed this gel like bulges out causes pain.
Bed rest .

Answer 6

Sometimes therapy will ease the swelling of a bulging disc. Hopefully it is not ruptured, that would require surgery. Also, there is no such thing as a slipped disc.

Answer 7

discs are the cushion between your vertebra.It bulges from some type of trauma that compresses the material and then impinges onto the spinal cord(herniated)which causes back pain and or numbness into the arms or legs

Answer 8

There is a therapy reducing the pressure on the discs and allowing them to recover in short notice.

The one-time treatment is called Atlasprofilax - just it's available in California and Europe only, costing approx. 220 dollars.

I've experienced the treatment myself! :-)

Answer 9

it is when a piece of your backbone is bulging and it usually puts pressure on your nerves. Surgery seems to be the best thing to do for it.

Answer 10

My doctor has just diagnosed me with the same thing (as well as condensans ilii). He recommended physiotherapy, just a few sessions, and to ask the physio to recommend back-muscle strengthening exercises.