Disc Bulge treatment in Physiofitguru
Disc Bulge
Damage to the intervertebral (spinal) disc that causes it to bulge out of its alignment
- Are you suffering from low back pain?
- Do you want to diagnose the reason for the back pain?
Well, Physiotherapy can treat acute low back pain safely and efficiently at affordable costs. Visit us at Physio Fit Guru Physiotherapy Clinic in Mulund and get Physiotherapy for Disc Bulge in Mulund, Mumbai, from Dr. Ajay Yadav.
Dr. Ajay Yadav, the Founder of Physio Fit Guru, is a well-known Consulting Orthopaedic Sports Physiotherapist, Manual Therapists, and Fitness Consultant with 11+ years of experience.
Personally, Dr. Ajay is an extremely motivated and confident person with exceptional multitasking and healing skills. Furthermore, he provides a high standard of physiotherapy services, including physiotherapy for a disc bulge.
35% of patients with back pain suffer from disc-bulge or disc degeneration, and most of them are affected in the lower back. Read on to know about disc bulges, diagnosis of disc bulges, the role of physiotherapy in treating disc bulges, symptoms, and causes of a disc bulge.
What is a Disc Bulge?
Bulging disc is a broad term describing specific changes in a lumbar disc. A disc is a soft, rubbery structure located between the vertebral column that acts as a cushion or pad for the bone.
The gel-like material inside the vertebrae that absorbs any shock from impact loses its shape and position, leading to disc bulge. Disc bulges occur mostly between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral column or between the fifth and the sacrum.
Symptoms of Disc Bulge:
The gel-like substance inside the vertebrae that absorbs any shock from impact loses its shape and position, leading to disc bulge. 35% of back-pain patients suffer from disc-bulge or disc degeneration and most of them are affected in the lower back. Read more about back and neck conditions among adolescents and young adults. Disc bulge does not always show symptoms of pain, but depending upon where the disc bulge is located, you may experience the following symptoms.
Disc bulge does not always show symptoms, but you may experience a few symptoms, including:
- Persisting neck pain and low back pain
- Radiating pain to your buttocks, thighs, knees, and feet
- Back pain when coughing or sneezing
- Numbness in the hands or legs along with muscular weakness
DISC BULGE CAUSES
If there’s sciatica or a pinched nerve in the spine, it will interfere with your daily functioning Other than sudden injury, disc bulge happens over time and with age. Some of the reasons are:
- Degeneration: Over a period of time, the hard exterior of the disc weakens, leading to disc bulge.
- Axial overloading (lifting): Among younger patients, a sedentary lifestyle leads to a constant static load on the back, causing a disc bulge.
- Body weight: Excess body weight, especially around the abdomen, put pressure on the lower back that the discs cannot sustain.
- Gradual wear and tear: Intense physical activity like engaging in contact sports, aging, any physical trauma, and even poor posture can lead to disc bulge.
DIAGNOSIS OF A DISC BULGE
- A comprehensive examination from a physiotherapist is mostly sufficient to diagnose a disc bulge.
- A physiotherapist may order a diagnosis such as an MRI or CT scan to confirm the condition.
- As experts in movement and musculoskeletal disorders, we know how the spinal structures of discs, joints, ligaments, and muscles function together and how injuries occur.
- Physiotherapists have the training to accurately evaluate the problem associated with a disc bulge and provide safe and effective treatment.
DISC BULGE TREATMENT
If disc bulge isn’t treated on time, it can lead to disc herniation (commonly known as slipped disc). The treatment is often based on the patient’s age and the severity of the condition:
- Conservative treatment methods: Disc bulge and the pain it causes can be managed spine rehabilitation and isolation treatment (an advanced device-based therapy)
- Surgical intervention: This step is only taken if the pain cannot be managed in 6-8 weeks and the condition is intolerable for the patient. Most cases can be managed with conservative treatment methods only and only about 5% of cases require surgery.
- Cell Repair Treatment has formulated this treatment where microcurrents of a specific frequency is administered to the patient. It reduces pain and inflammation of the tissues around the spine and speeds up cell, restoring it to normalcy requires for 6 weeks of treatment spinal rehabilitation.
GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF
- The pain is debilitating
- You lose bowel and bladder control
- There’s numbness and weakness in your limbs
- The pain doesn’t improve with medication or treatment
- Difficulty in performing small tasks involving fingers, wrists, feet, and toes.
- Constant night pain with reduced sleep.
- Loss of balance
- Blackout or ringing in ears
Role of Physiotherapy in Treating Disc Bulge
- Physiotherapy aims to reduce inflammation by incorporating mobilization and soft tissue release, integrated with low back strengthening exercises.
- Physio is an effective modality in treating acute low back pain associated with a discogenic injury in the lumbar spine.
- Physiotherapy is safe, effective, and based on the most up to date research.
- Low back pain is among the most common ailments treated by Physiotherapists.
- As Physiotherapists, we see an increase in a disc bulge and herniated disc injuries. It is associated with an increase in the amount of time people sit at home and office, weak abdominal muscle, and poor low back stability.
- Physiotherapy treatment is an evidence-based clinical statement for the management of low back pain.
- Evidence recommends Physiotherapy for a lumbar disc bulge to ensure an optimal outcome and may comprise:
- activity modification advice-remaining active and encouraging regular activity leads to faster recovery, avoid bed rest or exacerbating activities such as lifting or prolonged sitting
- exercise to improve mobility and reduce pain
- practical restoration program and advice
- McKenzie Therapy
- massage as an adjunct to spinal mobilization
What to expect from Physiotherapy for a Bulging or Herniated disc?
- Your physiotherapist designs each patient’s physiotherapy plan based on their clinical presentation and specific needs.
- For this reason, it is impossible to describe a ‘typical physiotherapy program for bulging discs.’ However, most physiotherapy programs will include some combination of the below elements:
- Pain relieving techniques
- Manual therapy
- Strengthening the core muscles
- Neural mobility techniques
- Stretching of shortened structures
- Activity modification
- Exercises to restore range of motion
There are several options to treat the pain and symptoms of a bulging disc. It is essential to ensure that you undergo a thorough evaluation by an experienced Physiotherapist who can plan a treatment program that will satisfy your specific needs.
If you’re looking for safe and effective Physiotherapy for a disc bulge, then book an appointment with our expert Physiotherapist Dr. Ajay Yadav to seek the best Physio for a disc bulge.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A disc bulge is not permanent. The disc is a fluid-filled structure and, hence, can heal, fix, and be reabsorbed.
A herniated disc’s pain will mostly get better within a couple of days and completely resolve in four to six weeks. Limiting your activity, ice, or heat therapy, and using OTC medications will help your recovery.
It may cause pain in the back, buttocks, or legs. It can also affect your walking ability. Bulging discs typically involve multiple discs. This condition develops over time and may cause other disc degeneration-related issues, like lumbar stenosis.
