A protruding back disc is one of the more common conditions that can occur in the spine, but can also be one of the more difficult to treat. This article will cover what a protruding back disc is, how it occurs, the most common symptoms associated with it, as well as the treatments available.
Before we discuss the specifics of this condition, though, we first need to cover what a normal spinal disc is in order for the rest of the information to make sense.
The spinal discs are cushions that separate each set of bones of the spine. They serve a very important function, because not only do they act as shock absorbers with motion, they also provide space between the bones which allows more room for the nerves to leave the spine.
Each disc is made up of a strong outer covering called the annulus, and a soft jelly center called the nucleus. In the case of a protruding disc in the lower back, the annulus of the disc tears and the nucleus begins to shift from the center of the disc and into the damaged area of the disc.
This creates a bulging in the wall of the disc, which is where this condition gets its most common name – a bulging disc. What’s interesting about the spinal discs is that they are designed to not feel pain sensations.
This may sound odd at first, because if you are dealing with this condition, you know how painful it can be. This fact, though, makes sense when you consider the purpose of each disc – if they are absorbing shock, you wouldn’t want to feel them because you would be in pain with every movement you make.
So, where does the pain actually come from? Well, if you take a closer look at the spine, what you will see is that the spinal nerves often leave the spine where the disc is most likely to bulge. This applies pressure to these nerves, which is where all the pain comes from.
The cause of a bulging disc in the lower back is usually an injury of some sort. Some examples may be a car accident, lifting something heavy, or even a slip and fall. This doesn’t have to be the case, though. Heredity also plays a role, so if you have a family member who suffers with this condition, you will also be more likely to develop a back bulging disc.
This condition can also occur due to deterioration that can occur in the spine when an individual overuses their spine. For example, if you have a career that involves quite a bit of bending, lifting, and twisting from the waist, you can have gradual wear-and-tear on the discs in your lower back and eventually develop this condition.
The symptoms that can occur due to a protruding back disc can vary depending on which nerves are being affected. They can include lower back pain, pain radiating into the hip, leg, or foot, weakness in the lower body, and even a loss of control of the bowel and bladder.
The nerves of the lower back control the legs and most of the organs in the abdominal area, which is why symptoms will develop in these areas when you have a protruding disc in the lower back.
As far as treatment is concerned, most physicians will begin by recommending medications. Usually this will include a pain-reliever in addition to a muscle relaxer. If this fails to provide relief, most physicians will then recommend physical therapy as well as injections (usually cortisone or epidurals).
The final recommendation from most doctors would be surgery, but this is typically recommended as a last resort because the success rate is very low.
Most of these treatments will result in temporary relief, but unfortunately, they often do not provide long-term results. This is because these treatments are designed primarily to relieve the nerve pain – they do not correct the cause of the problem which is the bulging disc itself.
In order for an individual to heal a protruding back disc completely, it requires a focus, not only on reducing the pain from the inflamed nerve, but also on healing the injured disc so the pain doesn’t return.
So, what types of treatments are available for this to occur? After working with thousands of individuals suffering with this condition, I’ve actually come to the conclusion that it is a specific combination of treatments that will provide the best results.
If you would like to learn more about the most effective treatments available for protruding back disc conditions, as well as the combination of treatments that I have found to be the most successful, you can click here (back bulging disc) for the full details.
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