What is a spinal bulging disc?
A spinal bulging disc is quite a common injury, where a spinal disc has changed shape due to pressure that was placed upon it. It might also be caused by the aging process. Bulging discs are sometimes also known as protruding discs, but are different from herniated discs.
Sometimes the inner parts of the disc are affected, while the rest is not. This is a definition of a bulging disc. On the other hand, when the outer shell has a tear in it, that is referred to as a herniated disk. There is no tear in a bulging disc.
A bulging disc can cause pain when the disc presses against a nerve root. This happens when a disc is dislodged from its usual position. It can sometimes protrude into the spinal canal and press against the spinal cord. If the pain becomes severe it will have a negative effect on a person’s quality of life.
What causes a bulging disc?
Bulging discs have a variety of causes. Some of the most common causes and risk factors include:
- The wear and tear process that occurs due to aging. This can cause degeneration of spinal structures, and when it comes to spinal discs, they can lose some or most of their water content. Discs act as shock absorbers for the spine, and when they lose this water content they also lose some of the shock absorbing capacity.
- Genetics can also be a factor. If a close relative had or has a bulging disc, you may also be prone to them.
- A fall or accident which resulted in an injury that affected the disc.
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI). If your job involves you making repetitive movements, you can get RSI. Talk with your health and safety representative or your employer and explain your symptoms. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can help.
- Posture. Back and neck pain can be the result of not sitting upright correctly, slouching, pushing your head forward while working over a desk, and even sleeping in an unfavourable position.
- Lifting heavy objects. If you are required to lift heavy objects either as part of your job or your workout routine, you are at risk of suffering back injuries, and even developing a bulging disc.
Symptoms
Bulging discs do not always cause symptoms, which is why some people may be living with one for long periods of time without even knowing. When they do cause symptoms, these may include one or more of the following:
- Back or neck pain, depending on where the affected disc is located. The pain, however, does not come from the disc itself, but rather from nearby nerve roots that become trapped due to the disc pressing down on them.
- Leg pain, if the bulging disc is located in the lumbar spine and if it presses against the sciatic nerve.
- When pain occurs, is it mostly described as shooting pain.
You Can Treat Bulging Disc Using Backrack Device At Home!
Pain Management and Treatment Options
When addressing any sort of back problems (and not just bulging discs), one must take into consideration a few factors before engaging in any form of treatment. Pain management and treatment options may vary depending on the location of the pain, how long it’s been present for, its intensity, as well as other variable factors.
Provided that the pain is not severely debilitating, it can be managed through self-help and non-invasive treatments such as physical therapy and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, rather than through surgical treatments. Although the latter may still be considered as an option in exceptional cases.
In other instances, doctors may also recommend steroid injections, which may be helpful in the short-term, but they are also painful and costly, and require frequent upkeep.
Here are some ideas that you may want to act upon if you have a painful back:
- Exercise regularly with the Spinal Backrack. Keeping active can help maintain back and core muscle strength, but in addition to this, exercising with the help of a tool like the Backrack will add the benefit of decompressing your spine.
- Remaining inactive weakens the muscles and puts undue pressure on the spine. Try to walk every day and if possible, also walk around during breaks at work.
- Swimming is a great exercise that can also help strengthen the muscles in your back. It is even better if you get to swim in seawater, which keeps you buoyant and helps relieve the pressure of weight on your spine.
- Cycling is another type of exercise that is beneficial for those suffering from back pain, even when it is caused by a disc bulge.
- Stretching and bending exercises can also go some way to making your spine feel less painful.
- Maintaining good posture is a must for maintaining a healthy spine.
Author: Spinal Backrack
