| Disc bulging occurs when one of the discs of the | | | | return, becoming more and more stubborn with |
| spine is damaged, usually from some type of | | | | each episode of pain. |
| traumatic injury. The spinal discs are located | | | | This makes disc bulging a very tricky condition to |
| between each set of spinal vertebrae (bones of | | | | treat. Most people are under the impression that if |
| the spine), and their purpose is twofold. First of all, | | | | there is no pain, there is no problem. This is simply |
| they act as ligaments, which hold the bones | | | | not the case with a bulging disc. |
| together. Secondly, they act as cushions or shock | | | | It can take 2 - 5 years for a spinal disc to heal |
| absorbers, preventing the bones from touching. | | | | completely, and it is very important that you take |
| A spinal disc is composed of a firm outer layer | | | | the appropriate steps for complete healing. Here |
| (called the annulus fibrosus) and a jelly-like center | | | | are 3 things you can do today to start the healing |
| (called the nucleus pulposus). I like to refer to | | | | process. |
| them as jelly doughnuts, because of their | | | | First, I would recommend you use ice over the |
| structure - this also makes it easier to understand | | | | injured disc. Apply the ice directly to the skin |
| what happens when disc bulging occurs. | | | | (don't place a towel or clothing between the ice |
| A bulging disc will occur when the outer layer | | | | and skin), and be sure to use real ice - don't use |
| tears, and the jelly center starts to push through | | | | frozen vegetables. Leave the ice on for 15 |
| this weak area. In other words, the jelly starts to | | | | minutes or until you feel numbness in the area. |
| push out of the doughnut. | | | | Wait at least 1 hour before you repeat the ice |
| What's interesting about the discs of the spine is | | | | treatment. |
| that they do not have the ability to feel pain. So, | | | | In order for ice to provide relief, you need to be |
| the question becomes - why is this condition so | | | | consistent with it. Repeating the ice treatment |
| painful and debilitating? | | | | multiple times throughout the day will provide the |
| Well, the true cause of the pain you experience | | | | fastest results. You will typically experience relief |
| with disc bulging is from the nerves of the spine. | | | | after just a few treatments, but it can take a full |
| The nerves of the spine control everything in the | | | | 3 days before you experience significant relief. |
| body, and they exit the spine directly behind each | | | | The next tip I would recommend is that you |
| spinal disc. | | | | adjust your sleeping position. First of all, make |
| When a disc bulges, it usually applies pressure | | | | sure you sleep on your back or on your sides - |
| directly on at least one of the nerves of the | | | | sleeping on your stomach is generally not a good |
| spine, which is very painful. The pain, however, is | | | | position for the spine. |
| usually the least of your worries with a bulging | | | | If the disc bulging is occurring in your neck, it is |
| disc. | | | | important that you have a pillow that supports |
| Because the nerves of the spine control | | | | your neck properly. Use only one pillow, and make |
| everything in the body, there tend to be other | | | | sure the pillow is not too thick - a thick pillow will |
| complications that occur in the body. For example, | | | | force your head up, which puts a lot of pressure |
| if a person has a bulging disc in the neck, they | | | | on the discs of the cervical spine. |
| may also experience arm pain, weakness or | | | | If the disc bulging is occurring in your low back, |
| numbness, headaches, vision problems, chest | | | | place a pillow under your knees when you're laying |
| pains, etc. All because the nerves of the neck | | | | on your back, or between your knees when |
| control all of these other parts of the body. | | | | you're laying on your sides. These positions will |
| It's the same in the low back - a person with disc | | | | relieve pressure off the spine, and make it easier |
| bulging in the low back will also tend to experience | | | | to sleep comfortably. |
| leg pain, weakness or numbness, bowel and | | | | My final recommendation would be to bounce on |
| bladder problems, problems walking, etc. | | | | a therapy ball. Therapy balls are those large balls |
| So, what can you do about this problem? Most | | | | you see in health clubs or physical therapy clinics. |
| doctors will recommend medications, pain | | | | Simply sit on the ball and gently bounce up and |
| injections (such as cortisone or epidurals), physical | | | | down for about 5 minutes a day. |
| therapy, and surgery (as a last resort). | | | | This activity pumps the discs of the spine, which |
| The success rates of these treatments are not | | | | forces toxins out of the discs and pumps new |
| excellent, primarily because their purpose is not to | | | | nutrition and oxygen into the discs for faster |
| heal the disc - it is to numb the painful nerve. | | | | healing. This is a very simple exercise that will |
| Although that sounds good on the surface, if the | | | | provide faster relief. |
| disc doesn't heal completely, the pain will inevitably | | | | |