Bulging disc in back

Introduction to bulging disc in back

A bulging disc in the back can cause a great deal of pain for people. It is a spinal problem that occurs in the lower back region of the lumbar. This condition occurs when the disc in the spinal cord protrudes from an opening in the spinal cord, and it is characterized by a bulging disc of the spinal cord.

It usually occurs in older people because of years of wear and tear to the spinal muscles, and it can also happen as a result of some type of injury or trauma which puts pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord.

When pressure is being put on these nerves, inflammation results and there can also be irreparable damage done to the spinal nerves if the condition is not treated on time.

Symptoms

The symptoms usually depend on the location of the bulging disc.

The main symptom of this condition is pain in the lower back area. The back pain will radiate however, and spread to other regions of the body where nerves have been affected.

People might also experience numbness as a result of this pressure on the nerves.

Pain in the neck could also be experiences, especially if a pinched nerve is present as well. A person might feel a shooting pain in the neck and a tingling sensation that is moving sideways around the neck.

People who have problems with bulging discs will probably have a hard time bending over, and twisting their spines and backs in different directions.

Another symptom, although fairly rare, is cauda equina syndrome, which is caused by compressed nerves of the spinal cord. If the nerve damage is not treated in time, a person can experience extreme and permanent damage in other parts of the body, for example, they can lose their ability to control their bladder and bowel functions.

Along with general numbness in the back area, the numbness can also spread to the arms and legs, making them feel weak as well, but this depends on where the bulging disc is located and what nerves, if any, it is affecting.

Treatment

When people are having problems with pain that results from bulging discs, then they are usually given painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to help with these issues. In order to actually remedy the problem, physical therapy is probably the best solution, especially visiting trained back specialists and people who are familiar with healing technique and physical exercises that will help to get the bulging disc to return to its regular position.

In the most serious cases surgery could be needed to remedy the problem.