What is a Bulging Disc?

A herniated disc is a general term that is used to describe an inter-vertebral disc in the spine that has become damaged in some way and part of it is now pushing out into the spinal spaces in the back. Not all herniated discs are the same though; they can be classified 4 different ways, from least to most damaged. These categories are bulging, prolapsed, extruded, and sequestered explained by spine surgeon in Chennai.

Bulging disc

This occurs when the discs in our spine weaken causing a small bulge to appear on the outside of the disc. Since this bulge is often very small it would rarely cause any symptoms at all and most people with a disc bugle would not even know it was there.

Prolapsed disc

This is the next step and is very similar to a disc bulge, the only difference being that this bulge is larger but it is still contained inside the tough outer shell of your inter-vertebral disc. It is at this point you may start to notice back pain as well as other symptoms.

Extruded disc

Stage three as your disc bugle tearing though the tough outer shell, at this point the soft gel center is pushing into the spinal spaces. If enough of this gel material escapes it can compress the nerves or spinal cord and you may feel pain, numbness or weakness.

Sequestered disc

This is the last stage and at this point the soft gel center has now broken free from the rest of the disc and is floating in the spinal canal. Since it is floating free it is possible to see a reduction in your pain and other symptoms if it is no longer pressing up against something.

What causes a disc to bulge?

Most times it is not possible to pinpoint the exact time that a bulging disc occurred since many times this is very gradual and you would only notice the problem when symptoms started to occur. There are risk factors that may make you more susceptible to a herniated disc and this are:

• Obesity - The heavier you are the more stress you place on your spine and its structures

• Sedentary lifestyle - Lack of exercise can lead to weak back muscles that cannot properly support the spine making it easier for it to become injured

• Injury - An injury such as a fall, blow to the back or a car accident can all cause a herniated disc

• Age - As we get older the structures in our spine become worn out, our discs start to dry out, cartilage becomes thinner, back muscles may weaken. When you add all of these things together it can lead to back injuries or herniated discs

What are the symptoms of a bulging or herniated disc?

What types of symptoms you have and where you would feel these symptoms will depend on what part of the spine is injured. If it is located in your neck you would have pain in your neck, arms, hands and chest. But if you where to have a disc bulge in your lower back you may have pain in your lower back and legs.

If you are feeling any sort of back pain it is always best to consult with a doctor; only they will be able to give you a proper diagnosis so that you can move forward with a treatment and pain management plan.

Back Exercise Stretches For Back Pain

Back exercise stretches the lower back muscles to help bring relief to back pain caused by over-stressed back muscles. Spine rehabilitation too is done through back exercise which is suggested by neurosurgeon in Chennai. People suffering from back pain are put through an exercise regimen, as exercise stretches the back and promotes better blood circulation in the area.

You will hear many people complain of back pain occasionally. About 75% to 85% of the people experience back pain at some point of time in their life. The most common area of back pain is the lumbar region of the spine. This is the region that bears most of the body weight. Sudden twisting and bending can cause injury to the back. Back pain also occurs when the muscles get stiff because of poor posture. Back exercise stretches the stiff muscles to provide relief.

Back Exercise Stretches - For Back Pain Relief

Back exercise stretches need to be performed softly. You should treat your back gently and not subject it jerky and violent movement. The exercise routine that you follow should start gently, and gradually build over a period of a few weeks. You could cause more harm than good, if you do not follow expert advice in matters of back exercise.

Warm up your body before you embark on the stretching routine. Exercise stretches the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the area surrounding the back. The muscles and tendons associated with the spine are designed for movement. Hence, they need to be stretched everyday to perform optimally. The hamstring muscles are an important factor in back pain problems. Most people with back pain have stiff hamstring muscles.

Stand comfortably with your feet shoulder width apart. Now slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes with your hands without bending your knees. Your action should be smooth and not jerky. Be careful not to overdo the stretching part. Stop when you feel pain. This exercise stretches your hamstring muscles. Your back pain will improve gradually, as you continue with the exercise. The exercise can also be performed while lying down.

Microdiscectomy Spine Surgery or Physiotherapy?

Located in our spine are intervertebral discs who acts as the cushioning system for the spine. It helps to balance the forces experience by the spine through actions like standing, jumping, lifting and sitting. It also helps to protect the vertebrae and brain by limiting the amount of movement allowed by each individual disc. Repeated actions over time can cause the disc to weaken and sudden impact or trauma can cause shearing of the discs, resulting in the semi-liquid substances to impinge onto the nerves, causing pain. When things get more serious, daily actions such as bowel and bladder control may not be possible and thus, surgery is often recommended by spine surgeon in chennai. However, should you really consider surgery or other options like physiotherapy?

Microdiscectomy

During microdiscectomy, a small part of the bone is removed to create a space between the vertebrae which helps to relieve internal pressure, reduce pain and relieve neural impingement. As a small piece of bone is removed, it will not cause any instability issues with it. Neural impingement can cause pain in places such as the leg and after microdisectomy, an almost instant relief can be felt by the patient. As with all spine injury, there is a certain risk level. It is often the last resort as no surgery is 100% risk free. Unless patients suffer from bowel and bladder incontinence or other neural problems, doctors will not recommend surgery and will often suggest physiotherapy to try to find a solution to the problem. However, risk level is still generally low compared to other forms of surgery.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the options doctors will recommend initially together with pain relief medication. Physiotherapy is non-invasive, relatively safe and helps to strengthen the muscles in the body. Through stabilisation and strengthening exercises, some patients are able to find relief and are able to continue to lead a good quality lifestyle without surgery. Strong muscles are able to help take on some of the burden from the spine and distribute the weight much more evenly, reducing the stresses placed on the spine and reducing pain. Even if surgery is required after physiotherapy, it helps to reduce the recovery time as physiotherapy helps to keep them in a tip top condition and with strong muscles and body functions, they are able to recover faster.

When you suffer from spinal pain, you should consider going for physiotherapy first. There is always a chance that you can recover and lead a pain free life without surgery. However, only when things start to become more serious should you consider surgery.

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