At Right Path Pain & Spine Center in Davenport, FL, we take a great deal of pride in our ability to help our clients get back to doing what they love. We understand how debilitating back problems can be, and we offer several treatment methods designed to address a wide array of problems. Today, we will be looking more closely at a problem we see often, bulging discs, and what can be done to recover from them.
How Can You Recover From Bulging Discs?
Each case of bulging discs, otherwise known as herniated or slipped discs, is unique. Therefore, each treatment plan for this condition is tailored to the individual. Some steps you can take to recover from discs that are bulging include resting, attending physical therapy, taking analgesics, making lifestyle changes, and getting mesenchymal stem cell therapy.
Resting
Resting is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you suffer from bulging discs. You should not twist or bend unless it is absolutely necessary, and you should never lift anything with your back. Additionally, you should refrain from engaging in any hobbies that aggravate your symptoms.
Attending Physical Therapy
Attending physical therapy is another great thing you can do if you have herniated discs. A licensed physical therapist can teach you how to improve your posture to reduce back pain. They can also guide you through exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Some exercises you may benefit from include:
- Standing lumbar extension
- Standing row with resistance band
- Prone on elbows
- Cobra pose
- Sciatic nerve floss
Taking Analgesics
Taking analgesics may also help you recover from bulging discs. Sometimes, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can ease pain and reduce inflammation effectively. However, if you have pinched a nerve in your back, your pain may be so severe that you need to take a prescription painkiller until your herniated disc has healed.
Making Lifestyle Changes
You also may be able to help yourself recover from discs that are bulging by making lifestyle changes. For example, if you are currently sedentary, getting regular exercise can help strengthen the core muscles that support your spine. Additionally, if you are overweight or suffer from obesity, you can take a significant amount of pressure off of your spine by getting down to a healthy weight.
Getting Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy is another way you may be able to recover from herniated discs. This form of regenerative medicine was designed to repair and regenerate damaged tissues by harvesting stem cells from your bone marrow and injecting them into your spine. All told, the process only takes two to four hours, and it can help treat herniated discs by reducing inflammation, stimulating tissue regeneration, and regulating the immune response.
What Causes Herniated Discs?
Herniated discs occur when the outer layer of the spinal disc becomes damaged or weakened. When the damage or weakness occurs, the gelatinous core that makes up the interior of your discs protrudes outwards. This can result in such problems as weakness, numbness, or pain in the affected area, especially if pressure is placed on nearby nerves.
Age-Related Wear and Tear
One of the most common causes of slipped discs is age-related wear and tear. Our spine naturally becomes more brittle as we age. After decades of wear and tear and years of becoming less flexible, your discs are very likely to become damaged and herniated.
Trauma
Traumatic injuries are also known to cause slipped discs. Usually, when trauma is responsible for slipped discs, a fall is involved. However, motor vehicle accidents can also cause slipped discs.
Repetitive Strain
Another potential cause of slipped discs is repetitive strain. For example, you may develop one or more herniated discs if you lift heavy weights on a regular basis. Heavy weight lifting puts a lot of pressure on the spine.
Poor Posture
Disc herniation can also be caused by sitting or standing with poor posture for extended periods of time. If you sit or stand for hours at a time, make sure that you are maintaining proper posture. You may want to set alarms in your phone to go off and remind you to check your posture for at least a few weeks. After roughly 21 days, practicing proper posture will become a habit, and you won’t have to think about it anymore.
Genetics
Your genes can significantly increase your risk of developing herniated discs. For example, certain genetic markers affect how strong and flexible your spinal discs are.
Obesity
Obesity can also put too much chronic pressure on your spine, leading to slipped discs. Generally, the more weight you carry in your stomach and chest, the more likely it is that you will develop slipped discs. Additionally, it is important to note that being overweight also increases your risk of developing slipped discs.
How Are Herniated Discs Diagnosed?
Most of the time, herniated discs can be diagnosed with just a physical exam and discussion of medical history. During your physical exam, you will be asked to lie supine and reposition your legs several times. This helps us determine what is causing your pain. However, there are some cases that necessitate a neurological exam.
In addition to the aforementioned diagnostic tools at our disposal, we can also perform imaging tests to rule out other potential causes of your symptoms. For instance, it may be advisable for you to get an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Herniated Discs?
Herniated disc symptoms can vary significantly from one individual to another. In some cases, herniated discs are not symptomatic, and you would never know you had one unless you had a spinal imaging test performed. In other cases, you may experience burning or sharp pain in the affected area. For instance, a slipped disc in your lower back can result in pain affecting your:
- Lower back
- Buttocks
- Thigh
- Calf
- Foot
A herniated disc in your neck may result in such symptoms as shoulder pain or arm pain. You should not be surprised if your pain is exacerbated by coughing, sneezing, or shifting a certain way. If your nerves are affected by a slipped disc, you may experience radiating tingling or numbness in the area. Additionally, you may experience muscle weakness that makes you stumble, lose your grasp on objects, or prevents you from picking up an object.
What Complications Can Slipped Discs Cause?
In rare cases, herniated discs can compress the whole spinal canal. This can result in paralysis or permanent muscle weakness. It is extremely important that you schedule an appointment as soon as possible if you are having such trouble as worsening symptoms, bladder or bowel dysfunction, or saddle anesthesia.
For instance, you should schedule an appointment if your pain, muscle weakness, or muscle numbness is so bad that you can’t perform your usual activities. You also need to schedule an appointment if you experience bladder or bowel incontinence or difficulty urinating even when your bladder is full. Moreover, medical attention is necessary if you start to lose sensation in the areas of your body that would make contact with a saddle, like your:
- Rectum
- Inner thighs
- Hamstrings
What Can I Do to Reduce the Chance of Future Slipped Discs?
One of the best things you can do to mitigate the risk of slipped discs in the future is to exercise your trunk muscles regularly. Your spine needs as much support and stability as you can give it. It is also very important that you maintain a healthy weight. The more excess weight you carry, the more pressure is exerted on your spine and discs.
Additionally, you can reduce the likelihood of developing herniated discs in the future by not consuming any products that contain nicotine. Nicotine consumption constricts your blood vessels, resulting in less oxygen being delivered to your discs. Furthermore, you can help protect yourself from slipped discs in the future by keeping your spine straight, supported, and properly aligned, especially if you will be sitting for extended periods of time.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Each treatment plan for bulging discs is unique. However, you may benefit from resting, attending physical therapy, taking analgesics, making lifestyle changes, and getting stem cell therapy. If you have discs that are bulging and need help with pain relief, schedule an initial consultation with us now at Right Path Pain & Spine Center in Davenport, FL.
