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Lower back pain caused by bulging discs is one of the most common forms of back pain. Intervertebral discs between vertebrae help us move smoothly and comfortably – until they don’t. Fortunately, there are treatment options for bulging discs to improve not only the health of your spine, but also your overall well-being. Here’s what you should know.
Healthy vertebrae and discs are crucial to movement. The spine consists of 33 vertebrae, each separated by an intervertebral discs. These intervertebral discs are composed of a tough, fibrous outer layer called the annulus fibrosus.
Discs have three roles:
When discs are compressed, they become misshapen and press down on the nerves of the spinal cord. If you imagine a disc as a jelly donut, a bulging disc has jelly being pushed out on either side. It isn’t a fun image, but it is accurate. That “jelly” is actually a soft, gelatinous inner layer called nucleus pulposus. The tough outer layer keeps the disc together, but the nucleus pulposus may press on the nerves near the disc as it bulges.
This compression can cause bulging disc symptoms that include:
Some people may not experience pain unless the bulging disc is untreated and the disc herniates. Once herniation occurs, more aggressive treatment may be required.
Most bulging discs occur in the lower back, but they can also occur in the neck and upper back, too. An estimated 52% of those patients with a bulging disc in any area of the spine experience no symptoms or pain.
For the other 48% of people, your doctor can determine which disc or discs are bulging with an MRI or CT scan. Diagnostic imaging is suggested for those who have had four to six weeks of severe pain and haven’t benefited from conservative therapies.
Bulging discs are most often caused by time. As we age, the muscles of the back and abdomen weaken, and gravity takes its toll. This simple action of increased gradual pressure on the intervertebral disc can cause the disc to bulge.
This disc bulging due to aging is often referred to as degenerative disc disease, but certain risk factors can speed it up. Obesity, genetics, smoking, and certain repetitive motions can increase your chances of degenerative disc disease and the bulging discs that come with it.
As noted above, many people with bulging discs will not require treatment, but for those that do, there are options.
While bulging discs can cause pain, most doctors start with conservative care that includes lifestyle changes and exercise.
Here are six bulging disc treatments from least to most interventional.
Acupuncture and chiropractic care are also proven strategies for lower back pain management.
Surgical treatment is usually not necessary. If all conservative treatments do not relieve pain or improve the condition, your doctor may want to discuss surgical options. A percutaneous discectomy is typically restricted to herniated discs but may be an option if your pain is not responding to other treatments.
The most important part of back pain treatment is looking at the whole patient and designing an individualized treatment plan that addresses diet, exercise, the root cause of your back pain, and any other factors that might affect outcomes.
If you have any questions or are simply looking for more information please contact us and our friendly team will be happy to answer your questions and help in any way we can.
