Symptoms Of Disc Problems
The symptoms of an irritated disc can vary according to its location and severity. Back scans are often unhelpful for determining whether a persons back pain is coming from a disc issue, as discs change with aging and use. However, symptoms may include:
- back pain
- increased back pain when repetitively bending or with prolonged sitting
- increased back pain with coughing, sneezing, laughing or straining
- pain, numbness or pins-and-needles radiating into an arm or leg if a disc has caused irritation of a nearby nerve.
How Long Does A Bulging Disc Take To Heal
The primary question that comes to mind of an individual with a bulging disc mind is that how long will it take for the bulging disc to heal.
The answer to this question depends on the various factors ranging right from the genetic makeup of the individual, the extent of the disc bulge and the severity of it, diet and the rehab program that has been designed for the patient for faster recovery of bulging or herniated disc.
For some individuals it may take up to a year or two to completely recover from disc bulge while it may take far less time for another individual to recover from the same injury. This article gives a brief overview of how long does it take to heal from bulging disc and what are the factors that play a key role in the recovery process.
Prerequesites For Sleeping Well With Sciatica And Herniated Or Bulging Disc
Me, I sleep on a high quality latex mattress and I use a large latex pillow. You can sleep on another type of mattress, but it must be fairly firm in order to provide sufficient support.
PS: Its not me on the picture, its Walt: maybe youve seen him in other articles or videos on this blog. Wakt is affected with degenerative disc disease, double herniated disc and of course chronic back pain.
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Explore Conservative Treatment Options First
Upon diagnosing a bulging disc as the source of neck pain, back pain or radiating pain in the extremities, doctors will usually begin with a course of conservative treatments. Since a bulging disc can improve with time, initial treatment is generally aimed at pain management while the progress of the condition is monitored. Factors like weight, nutritional habits and smoking can also contribute to disc degeneration, so most treatment plans may try to address these factors as well.
Commonly prescribed conservative treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Lifestyle changes, including losing weight and quitting smoking
Pain From A Bulging Disc
About 90 percent of herniated discs occur in the lumbar region of the spine or the lower back. Those who do experience pain feel it because the bulging part of the disc is pressing against the longest nerve in the body the sciatic nerve. Ninety percent of sciatica, pain along the sciatic nerve, cases occur due to a herniated disc.
Since the sciatic nerve runs over the buttocks on both sides and down the legs, the pain tends to radiate, usually on just one side. For example, you might feel a stabbing pain in one buttock and then down the leg on that side. There may also be tingling in the legs or feet along with muscle weakness.
Bulging discs can pop up in the cervical region of the spine as well. In those cases, pain radiates down one arm. The hand on that side might tingle or feel numb, too. The pain from a herniated disc can be chronic in other words, it might come and go. You might feel it after sitting too long or trying to lift a box. You might wake up with pain in the middle of the night for no apparent reason.
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Learn More About How To Heal A Herniated Disc
If you are struggling with chronic back pain, we encourage you to learn more about how to heal a herniated disc. The skilled physical therapists and pain management specialists here at Metro Healthcare Partners in Brooklyn, NY, can analyze your case and provide you with a herniated disc treatment recommendation. We accept no-fault insurance, PIP , workers compensation, and other health insurance plans. To get started, contact us today. Same-Day appointments may be available.
What Are The Causes
Discs can bulge or herniate because of injury and improper lifting or can occur spontaneously. Aging plays an important role. As you get older, your discs dry out and become harder. The tough fibrous outer wall of the disc may weaken. The gel-like nucleus may bulge or rupture through a tear in the disc wall, causing pain when it touches a nerve. Genetics, smoking, and a number of occupational and recreational activities may lead to early disc degeneration.
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The Best Bulging Disc Treatment For Pain Relief
Lower back pain is one of the most common health complaints worldwide. Approximately 31 million Americans are struggling with this issue at any given time. In some cases, the pain can worsen and become chronic.
This condition can have a variety of cases, from poor posture to arthritis and injuries. Sometimes, it results from a bulging disc.
Also known as a disc protrusion, bulging discs typically occur in the lower back between vertebrae L5 and S1 or L4 and L5. Their symptoms vary from one individual to another.
Some people may experience no symptoms at all, while others report excruciating pain.
Bulging disc treatment involves medications, physiotherapy, massage, or spinal manipulation. In severe cases, surgery is the only option.
Before discussing these options, lets see what a bulging disc is in the first place.
Bulging Disc Treatment Options
Unless your condition is severe, you may able to treat a bulging disc with rest and physiotherapy. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs can help.
Bulging disc treatment options depend largely on your symptoms. Doctors often recommend acupuncture, electrotherapy, ice packs, or soft tissue massage for minor and moderately bulging disc injuries. You might also want to consider chiropractic treatment.
Another option is stem cell disc regeneration. This procedure stimulates the formation of new disc cells, which helps restore and rebuild damaged discs. Patients experience a reduction in pain and discomfort and improved quality of life.
Surgery is only recommended in severe cases. If your back pain doesnt settle with a conservative approach, this may your only option.
Lets take a look at the best ways to treat a bulging disc and what to expect.
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What Is The Treatment For A Herniated Disc
conservativesurgeryphysical therapy including exercise
Spinal injections are also a non-surgical option. They may be recommended for short-term pain relief. Most people have relief from pain and other symptoms with conservative treatment.
Surgery is recommended for only a small number of people with herniated disc disease. It may be appropriate when a person continues to have severe or worsening pain or neurologic symptoms. There are both minimally-invasive and open surgery techniques.
As mentioned, exercise is a part of treatment for a herniated disc. The type and method of the exercise is important in order to support recovery and to avoid further injury.
There are many different exercises to help with back pain due to a herniated disc. We provide 5 effective ones. Also, you may know of other ways to perform these exercises. We provide one method for each.
Physical Therapy Guide To Herniated Disk
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A herniated disk occurs when the cushion-like cartilage between the bones of the spine is torn, and the gelatin-like core of the disk leaks. Often mistakenly called a slipped disk, a herniated disk can be caused by sudden trauma or by long-term pressure on the spine. This condition most often affects people aged 30 to 50 years men are twice as likely to be diagnosed as women. Repeated lifting, participating in weight-bearing sports, obesity, smoking, and poor posture are all risk factors for a herniated disk. The majority of herniated disks do not require surgery, and respond best to physical therapy. Physical therapists design personalized treatment programs to help people with herniated disks regain normal movement, reduce pain, and get back to their regular activities.
Physical therapists are movement experts. They improve quality of life through hands-on care, patient education, and prescribed movement. You can contact a physical therapist directly for an evaluation. To find a physical therapist in your area, visit Find a PT.
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What Is A Herniated Disk
A herniated disk is an injury of the spine . You have a series of bones in your spine, stretching from the base of your skull to your tailbone. Between your vertebrae are round cushions called disks. The disks act as buffers between your bones, allowing you to bend and move with ease. When one of these disks tears or leaks, its called a herniated disk.
What Is A Herniated Disc
The condition is often an outcome of natural, age-related wear and tear, also known as disk degeneration. Herniated discs may result from an accident or injury to the back. Minor injuries or simple movements may also result in disc herniation.
Disc herniation is most common in the lower back , followed by the neck , but it can occur anywhere along the spine.
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Bulging Disc Vs Herniated Disc: Whats The Difference
Disc problems go by many names: herniated discs, slipped discs, collapsed discs, ruptured discs, etc. This can become confusing for patients, especially since different health care professionals dont always agree on the different definitions and various causes of disc problems.
The good news is that despite the confusion about different terminologies, the underlying causes of most disc problems are usually very similar. Doctors might refer to your disc pain by different names depending on what they observe during a physical exam or when questioning you about your back pain, leg pain, medical history and lifestyle, but the same treatment options work for almost all types.
If youve been given several different diagnoses and are confused about what is causing your back pain, heres what you need to know:
A herniated disc is more like a disc opening and spilling its insides out, while a bulging disc is the disc stretching and protruding outward. Herniated discs are also called ruptured discs or slipped discs more often than bulging discs are. Compared to herniated discs, bulging discs are more common, and they might also go unnoticed more often since they can cause less pain. Then again, each persons symptoms are different.
Common symptoms of a bulging disc can include:
The type of pain caused by a bulging disc is a clue to where the abnormal disc is located:
How Can A Physical Therapist Help
In all but the most extreme cases, conservative care often produces better results in treating a herniated disk than surgery or pain medications, such as opioids.
Your physical therapist will work with you to design a specific treatment program that will speed your recovery, including exercises and treatments that you can do at home. Physical therapy will help you return to your normal lifestyle and activities. The time it takes to heal the condition varies, but results can be achieved in 2 to 8 weeks or less, when a proper posture, pain-reduction, stretching, and strengthening program is implemented.
During the first 24 to 48 hours following your diagnosis of a herniated disk, your physical therapist may advise you to:
- Rest the area by avoiding any activity that causes worsening symptoms in the arms or legs.
- Avoid bed rest.
- Stay active around the house, and go on short walks several times per day. Movement will decrease pain and stiffness, and help you feel better.
- Apply ice packs to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours.
- Sit in firm chairs. Soft couches and easy chairs may make your problems worse.
- Consult with a physician for further services, such as medications or diagnostic tests.
Some exercises are better for individuals with herniated disks. Your physical therapist will educate you about them. For example:
Your physical therapist will work with you to:
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How Is It Diagnosed
Your physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation that includes taking your health history. Your physical therapist will also ask you detailed questions about your injury, such as:
- How and when did the pain start?
- At what time of day is it worse?
- What type of discomfort do you feel, and where do you feel it?
- What canât you do right now, in your daily life, due to the pain?
Your physical therapist will perform tests on your body to find physical problems, such as:
- Difficulty moving.
Exercise Routine For Herniated Disc In Lower Back
According to a clinical appraisal for treating herniated lumbar disc, the McKenzie program is tagged as a highly effective exercise routine. It is tailored to the symptoms and focuses on workouts that diminish or consolidate exuding pain. Even the core stability exercises are known to minimize low back pain due to a herniated disc in the lumbar portion. Thus, both types of exercises, which are simple to perform, are described below.
Note: If any of these workouts increases pain, just stop doing it and consult your doctor immediately. These exercises are not meant to replace the medicines you are taking.
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Other Causes Of Back Pain
There are other causes of back pain, so see your doctor if pain is strong, persistent or continues throughout the night. Other reasons for back pain include:
- muscular pain this is common, and usually does not spread into the legs. It is very likely to resolve on its own without the need for specific treatment
- fractures occur more commonly in:
- older people
- people with osteoporosis
- people taking medications that cause bone loss .
Fractures can also happen after direct injury or trauma to the back
Scoliosis may:
- develop due to a person having increased soft tissue elasticity
- develop with increasing age.
Bulging Disc L4/l5 Treatments
Bulging disc treatments can be divided into several categories. A good thing is that they start with basic and non-invasive procedures and are usually successful. If you are lucky, you wont need a complicated treatment but you will feel better. Anyway, here are all known treatments for bulging disc l4/l5 issues, you can find today.
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Minimally Invasive Microendoscopic Discectomy
Minimally invasive microendoscopic discectomy is a bit more complex surgery that is being used more and more often these days. A small incision is still made at the back of a patient. A doctor will use small tubes in order to make the tunnel to the vertebra larger. A part of the bone is removed in the procedure. Ruptured disc is removed as well. This surgery is less-invasive and requires a shorter recovery.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc
The disc may press on the nearby nerve roots or spinal cord causing symptoms. A person may not have any symptoms or they may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms.
The symptoms of disc herniation in the lumbar spine may include sciatica or numbness, weakness, and/or tingling or other sensations in the leg and/or foot pain in the lower back and/or buttocks and pain in the leg and/or foot. Symptoms of disc herniation in the cervical spine are similar, but they affect the neck, arm, and hand.
A person with a disc problem in the lower back may also have difficulty bending forward at the waist and worsening pain when sitting or straining, or with sudden movements .
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Causes Of Bulging Discs
While they can develop at any age, bulging disks are most common in people over the age of 30, and for reasons not totally understood theyre twice as common in men as in women.
Discs act like soft cushions that buffer the space between vertebrae, which are the small bones in the spinal column. Normally, discs serve as our natural absorbers of shock, allowing us to move around and remain flexible. In healthy adults, discs have a soft, gel-like center made up of flexible cartilage, surrounded by a tougher layer that keeps them held in place.
As someone becomes older, experiences more inflammation or becomes injured, the outer layer of the discs becomes more susceptible to being stretched, pulled or bulged out of the normal place they occupy. Once bulging, a disc becomes wider, stretched and also might become slightly squashed at the same time. Some experts say a bulging disc looks almost like a hamburger thats too big for its bun.
Growing pressure around a disc and poor posture are two common reasons why discs can start to bulge. When a normal disc experiences accumulating pressure, it starts to expand abnormally outward where it can come into contact with sensitive neural tissues. Eventually the bulging disc protrudes into the spinal canal, which is what triggers the sharp pain or tingling sensation thats associated with disc problems.
Bulging Disc Takeaways
