Introduction

The body is home to the spine, where it is allowed to move, twist, bend, and run around without being in pain. When a person suffers from a back injury or pulled a muscle, the pain can range from a dull ache to a sudden sharp pain that hinders and affects their quality of life. Luckily many treatments can help manage back pain and possibly reverse the effects. One of the treatments is spinal decompression, and it can help alleviate back pain issues like bulging discs. In this article, we will be looking at what is bulging disc is, its symptoms, and its factors, as well as how spinal decompression can help alleviate bulging disc. By referring patients to qualified and skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression therapy. To that end, and when appropriate, we advise our patients to refer to our associated medical providers based on their examination. We find that education is the key to asking valuable questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer

 

Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.

What Is A Bulging Disc?

The spinal discs in the spine are flat circular cushions between the spine’s vertebrae and help protect the spine from any injuries. As the body ages naturally, the spinal discs will begin to lose their function through wear and tear. Research studies have shown that when the spinal discs begin to wear and tear with age, it can cause the disc to be dehydrated and cause the cartilage to be stiff. When this happens, the outer layer of the spinal disc will begin to protrude out and will not touch the nerve. If the protruding bulge continues to get worse and starts to crack the outer wall, the inner wall of the spinal disc will begin to come out and touch the spinal nerve root causing pain to the individual. This is known as a herniated disc.

 

Other research studies have found that when the spine has bulging discs, it is one of the causes of low back pain as about 80% of many individuals suffer from some back pain. Low back pain has many different diagnoses when this happens to the back, and DDD (degenerative disc disease) and disc herniation/bulging are the most common symptoms. These two common symptoms usually go hand in hand and, if not treated, will begin to cause a hindrance to the individual, leaving them with low back pain.

 

The Symptoms & Factors

The symptoms and factors of disc herniation/bulging vary depending on how severe the pain is. The pain from disc herniation can range from a dull, mild ache on the lower back to a sharp, sudden pain that travels from the lower back down to the leg. Research studies have shown that the primary symptoms of lumbar disc herniation are radicular pain, sensory abnormalities, and weakness in the lumbosacral nerve root. This will increase the pressure on the spinal disc causing the individual to be in pain while sitting. Other research studies have found that other common symptoms and factors that are caused by disc herniation/bulging include:

• Excess weight: Can be compressed onto the spinal disc, causing disc herniation
• Aging: Can naturally cause wear and tear on the spinal disc
• Leg pain
• Nerve pain
• Neurological symptom

 

---

Spinal Decompression Therapy Affecting Bulging Discs- Video

The video above shows how spinal decompression therapy can help alleviate bulging discs by using traction to stretch the spine gently. Spinal decompression is when individuals are lying down on the traction table and are strapped in as their spine is being pulled gently, causing the spinal disc to receive the beneficial nutrients back into the spine and allowing any herniation or bulging disc to go back to normal on the spine. Research studies have shown that utilizing physical therapy and spinal decompression therapy can help many individuals suffering from low back pain, herniated disc, or leg pain. By incorporating spinal decompression therapy into their wellness journey, many individuals will begin to feel relief and be pain-free. If you want to learn more about spinal decompression therapy, this link will explain the benefits of spinal decompression and how it can alleviate low back pain symptoms.

---

The Effects Of Spinal Decompression On Bulging Disc

 

Research studies have found that a lumbar herniation/bulging disc on the spine can induce neurological signs that can hinder a person with muscle weakness. One of the many treatments that can help alleviate bulging discs is spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression therapy and physical therapy can help stabilize the spine and can help improve muscle strength while providing a gentle stretch on the spine to allow the bulging discs to retreat to the spine, causing instant relief. Other research studies have shown that incorporating the two treatments are effective for many individuals by improving their pain and disability. This will allow their spine to be pain-free and restore their original function in the body. 

 

Conclusion

The spine’s primary function is to make sure that the body is moving around without feeling any pain. As the body naturally ages over time, so does the spine as the spinal disc start to wear and tear, causing them to bulge out of the spine. If they start to press against the spinal nerve root, it can lead to herniation and cause shooting pain down from the lower parts of the body. Luckily some treatments allow the individual to feel relief, which is spinal decompression. Spinal decompression helps the spine by gently stretching it with a traction table, causing the nutrients and fluids to enter the spine and cause instant relief. When spinal decompression is combined with physical therapy, many individuals will notice that they are feeling no pain in their back and can continue their wellness journey.

 

References

Al Qaraghli, Mustafa I, and Orlando De Jesus. “Lumbar Disc Herniation.” StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 30 Aug. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560878/.

Amin, Raj M, et al. “Lumbar Disc Herniation.” Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, Springer US, Dec. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5685963/.

Choi, Jioun, et al. “Influences of Spinal Decompression Therapy and General Traction Therapy on the Pain, Disability, and Straight Leg Raising of Patients with Intervertebral Disc Herniation.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2015, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25729196/.

Härtl, Roger. “Lumbar Herniated Disc Symptoms.” Spine, Spine-Health, 6 July 2016, www.spine-health.com/conditions/herniated-disc/lumbar-herniated-disc-symptoms.

Medical Professionals, Cleveland Clinic. “Herniated Disk: What It Is, Diagnosis, Treatment & Outlook.” Cleveland Clinic, 1 July 2021, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12768-herniated-disk.

Shelerud, Randy A. “Bulging Disk vs. Herniated Disk: What’s the Difference?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 23 Apr. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/herniated-disk/expert-answers/bulging-disk/faq-20058428.

Disclaimer