Your spine is made up of vertebrae, and between each vertebra, you have discs. These are there to provide shock absorption, mobility, and support. However, if you have a bulging disc, you could end up needing physical therapy in order to alleviate your pain.
What Causes A Bulging Disc?
Your spinal discs are similar to a jelly doughnut – tough on the outside, but squishy on the inside. This is what allows them to do their job so well. However, as we age, our discs naturally start to degenerate.
As people age, the discs become less flexible and more prone to issues, especially when your body mechanics couple flexion and rotation together. Bending over and twisting at the same time is very difficult for the disc structure to tolerate. This wear and tear can result in bulging discs.
In most cases, people can’t pinpoint what caused their bulging disc. Given that it most often happens due to age-related deterioration, this is no surprise. However, if you use your back to lift things or suffer an injury to your back, this can also lead to a bulging disc.
Many bulging discs are asymptomatic. However, if your disc presses on a nerve, you could end up in a significant amount of pain.
Symptoms
You can have some pain associated with your neck or low back, depending on where the bulged disc occurs. Where your bulging disc is can impact your symptoms, due to the fact that different parts of your spine impact different parts of your body.
Some common symptoms of bulging discs include:
- Numbness or lessened sensation in the area affected by the compressed nerve.
- Sharp, aching, or burning pain, which may radiate into either your upper extremity or lower extremity depending on where the bulged disc occurs.
- Pins and needles sensations. This typically radiate down your upper extremity or lower extremity depending on where the bulged disc occurs.
- Weakness in the muscles of the arm, shoulder, hand, leg, ankle, or foot.
You may also experience spasms, sciatica, reduced coordination, reduced mobility, and more. If you experience a loss of bowel or bladder control, this is a medical emergency, and you should seek medical help immediately.
Risk Factors
Certain factors increase your risk of suffering from a bulging disc, such as:
- Weight. If you are overweight, this places undue pressure on your spine.
- Occupation. People with physically demanding jobs have a greater risk of back problems, especially those who need to lift heavy objects frequently.
- Genetics. Sometimes, you may be genetically predisposed to bulging discs.
- Smoking. This can lessen oxygen supply to spinal discs, causing them to break down more quickly.
- Frequent driving and being sedentary. Being seated for long periods can put pressure on the spine.
Treatment
It is important to note that the majority of patients with a bulged disc will get better over time with conservative treatment. We here at Wasatch Peak Physical Therapy provide treatment options for bulging discs to help you improve your quality of life and reduce your symptoms.
Specific exercises can help to relieve pain, strengthen muscles, and improve range of motion. In some cases, traction can be used to gently stretch the joints and muscles. Physical therapy also informs you of proper body mechanics.
Your physical therapist will work with you to ensure that your working positions, lifting techniques, and more are all done properly. They’ll conduct an ergonomic assessment to see what could use improvement so that you can develop good habits.
Icing can reduce inflammation and heat can alleviate pain. You may also need medication from your primary care provider. Rest can also help to alleviate pain, but bed rest is not recommended. Your physical therapist will work with you in order to ensure that your treatment plan works for you.