Understanding Disc Bulges and Herniations

Your spine plays an important role in maintaining your posture and supporting your frame. It is made of several fluid-filled sacs called discs, which act as a cushion to protect the network of nerves in your vertebrae. If any of these discs bulge or herniate, you will likely experience pain. In today’s post, your expert back pain rehab clinic, Terrapin Care Center, explains all about disc bulges and herniations.

Disc Bulges

Discs can become dehydrated over time, causing the cartilage in your backbone to stiffen. This can cause the outer layer of cartilage to bulge, potentially pushing up against your spinal nerves, causing moderate to severe pain. This discomfort may radiate to different parts of your body, particularly your legs.

Herniated Discs

Herniated discs develop when the spine’s outer, tough cartilage layer cracks, which is why this condition is also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc. When this happens, the inner, soft cartilage may protrude, irritating and damaging the surrounding spinal nerves. You may experience debilitating pain throughout your body. When this happens, visit your back pain specialist as soon as possible.

Our Recommended Management

In conjunction with any pain medication prescribed by your doctor, disc herniations or bulges may be effectively managed through massage therapy. This is a natural way to relieve your pain, using manual traction to alleviate pressure and stress in your back. We may also include trigger point therapy and myofascial release in your treatment plan.

A herniated or bulging disc may produce pain, tingling, and numbness in different parts of your body as well. This may compromise your mobility and daily efficiency. Your reliable back pain doctor may administer spinal injections that contain steroids to reduce inflammation, alleviating your pain and letting you get back to enjoying a good quality of life.

To learn more about disc herniations and bulges, as well as our pain-relieving methods, call us at (301) 220-1930. You may also complete our form to schedule an appointment. We serve Silver Spring and Greenbelt, MD.