Many people have back pains, but not many will know if it is because of a bulging disc located in their vertebrae. Before you can try fixing, relieving or simply easing the pains of a bulging disc, let us find out what it really is. A bulging disc, also called a, “herniated disc”, is an occurrence, “When one of the discs between your vertebrae develops a weak spot and pops out.” This sounds painful but a lot of people will not be able to distinguish what is happening in their backs. Sometimes if the bulging disc does not come into contact with any major tissues the person will not notice it at all. It is only when the actual vertebrae or muscles in the lower back start acting up when the person will realize they have a back problem. When rehabbing a bulging disc, make sure to consult a physician to know exactly where the pain is coming from, what you can do to relieve the pains and how to help the bulging disc heal properly. Things like, when the pain started, how long the pain has been a problem, and where it hurts the most, will most definitely be helpful when seeking medical attention.

Herniated Disc Exercises

Relieving pain and rehabbing a bulging disc will include a number of tasks. Doctors will want the patient to start with a conservative recovery first hand. This recovery method includes a,”combination of bed rest, physical therapy, stretching exercises, back or neck braces, pain killers and more to manage a patient’s symptoms.” First off, bed rest, this is simply the matter of lying down and allowing your vertebrae to rest horizontally compared to its’ vertical position. This rest will put less strain on the vertebrae, preventing some of the pains that the bulging disc may be causing. It also allows the vertebrae to slowly go back into place or heal. Second is the act of physical therapy. Physical therapy will include exercises that will work the vertebrae in a way that promotes its’ movements. The exercises will include walking and hip movements. Third is closely related to physical therapy, which is stretching exercises. Doing simple and gentle stretches to try and align the vertebrae. Stretching out the legs, hips and back will work the vertebrae sometimes allowing the bulging disc to pop back into place. However, depending on the status of your injury, the doctor might not allow you to do the exercising, but will instead apply a back or neck brace instead. The back and neck brace will act as a supporting mechanism that will take control of the job of the vertebrae. The brace will hold the spine straight, so it can go back into place or heal gradually over a certain time period. The back and neck brace will restrain the movements of the patient, turning the neck or twisting the waist will not be possible without moving the whole body.

 Along with all of the mentioned methods above, the doctor will most definitely prescribe a painkiller for the pain that the patient will be experiencing. Painkillers will calm the muscles and relieve the pains that are being caused by the bulging disc. Common prescriptions for bulging disc pains will include, “acetaminophen, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin.” Drugs are an effective way to ease the pain but it will not solve the problem. Rehabbing a bulging disc is not an easy task. Again elaborating on the fact that rest is very important in the recovery process of this medical condition. Give yourself plenty of time to rest your vertebrae. If all the methods do not seem to help there is the last resort of surgery. There are two types of these for treating a bulging disc. They are, “intrusive open back surgery or minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.”

Surgery Of Defective Disc

With open back surgery, the surgeon will usually remove the defective disc entirely. After the removal, the vertebrae is fused together again, this will damage many of the tissues in the vertebrae. With damage to a very sensitive and important part of the human body, recovery from open back surgery will be a long process. Having a bulging disc is never something you would want your physician to tell you. Yes, there are treatments to try and lessen the pain or heal the condition. Do not, however, take bulging disc lightly, treat it as soon as possible. The longer you wait to treat the problem the bigger the problem will grow. Though you may just want to relieve pain make sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid further injury. Bulging discs usually occurs in older persons. As we all know, “there is a lot of gravity pulling the spine down over the years”, which leads to the collapse of the exposed discs, “leaving the vertebrae rubbing against one another.” From my personal experience, I have never heard of bulging discs before, but now that I am aware I will think twice now whenever I have a pain in my back. My mentality is and always has been, take care of your body and eat right and you will not encounter so many illnesses and medical conditions. After learning a bit about bulging discs I have figured that gravity and time can be factors as well in determining a persons’ wellness.