| -> | | | | inflamed, do you really want to put more heat on |
| Alleviating bulging disc pain can be a very | | | | it? Of course not! |
| frustrating thing for many people, particularly | | | | Now, in order to get the best results with ice, you |
| because disc problems in general are very | | | | need to follow these rules: |
| stubborn to heal. After helping people alleviate | | | | - Ice for 15 minutes every hour - consistency is |
| bulging disc pain over the past 7 years, I've found | | | | the key here! It's not likely that you'll experience |
| that there are certain things people can do at | | | | relief after the first time using the ice, but if you |
| home to alleviate even the most stubborn pain. | | | | stay consistent and do it every hour, you'll start |
| Before I detail the top 3 things you can do at | | | | to see improvement in the pain level after the |
| home to relieve your L5 / S1 bulging disc pain, | | | | 3rd or 4th treatment. |
| however, I need to explain the cause of the pain | | | | - Use real ice - no frozen vegetables! |
| you are experiencing. | | | | - Apply directly to the skin - most people want to |
| The discs of the spine are cushions between the | | | | put a towel under the ice, or place the ice on top |
| bones. Their primary purpose is to act as shock | | | | of their clothing because it is uncomfortable. |
| absorbers, and prevent the bones from rubbing | | | | Applying the ice directly to the skin will numb the |
| together, which would be very painful. I often | | | | area more quickly, and slow the inflammatory |
| refer to the discs of the spine as "jelly | | | | process more effectively. |
| doughnuts," because they have a firm outer | | | | - For an L5 / S1 bulging disc, apply the ice over |
| covering (called the annulus), and a jelly center | | | | the low back (where the disc is) first, and then |
| (called the nucleus). | | | | apply the ice pack to other areas where you are |
| When a disc bulges, the annulus tears partially, and | | | | experiencing pain (such as the leg). |
| the jelly starts to shift where the disc is weakest. | | | | The second tip I'll recommend is to use a |
| In most cases, the tear occurs at the back of | | | | pain-relieving gel called Biofreeze. Biofreeze can be |
| the disc, which is right where the spinal cord and | | | | found in most chiropractic clinics, as well as online, |
| the nerves of the spine are located. | | | | but basically it is a lotion that you apply to the |
| The reason a bulging disc is so painful is because | | | | skin over the injured area, and it provides relief |
| the disc bulge applies pressure to the nerves of | | | | for about 4 - 5 hours. |
| the spine, which can not only be incredibly painful - | | | | The way this works is that the biofreeze has an |
| it can also be very disabling. If there is pressure | | | | herb inside of it called Ilex. This herbal remedy |
| on a nerve, the area will get inflamed, which | | | | reduces inflammation and swelling, numbs painful |
| means that the body will send a lot of blood to | | | | nerves, and helps muscles to relax. Obviously, |
| the injured nerve to try and fix it. | | | | these benefits are exactly what we're looking for |
| Well, although that sounds like a good plan, in | | | | when trying to alleviate bulging disc pain! |
| reality, what actually happens is that the increased | | | | You can use biofreeze over any painful area, so |
| blood causes a lot of swelling and heat around the | | | | feel free to not only apply it over the low back, |
| injured nerve, which just aggravates the nerve | | | | but also wherever you are feeling pain. |
| even more. | | | | My third tip is to bounce on a therapy ball. Now, I |
| In the case of an L5 / S1 bulging disc, the nerves | | | | know this may sound a little silly, but this simple |
| in this area control the bowel, bladder, and legs. So | | | | exercise really makes a big difference for many |
| it's very common for a person with this condition | | | | people suffering with an L5 / S1 bulging disc. |
| to experience changes in their bowel and bladder | | | | Basically, you want to buy a therapy ball (those |
| (not being able to go to the bathroom like normal, | | | | are the large balls that you see in physical therapy |
| having pain while going to the bathroom, or losing | | | | clinics, or at the gym), and simply sit on it and |
| control of the bowel or bladder), as well as to | | | | bounce up and down gently for 4 - 5 minutes |
| experience pain, weakness, and muscle cramps in | | | | every day. |
| the legs. | | | | Here's the reason this will help with the pain - the |
| The 3 steps I'll teach you here will reduce the | | | | disc itself does not get very much blood going to |
| inflammation around the nerve, which will | | | | it normally, which is really a problem because |
| effectively reduce the pain. | | | | blood is what transports oxygen and nutrients |
| The first thing I would recommend you use is ice. | | | | throughout the body for healing. So, how does |
| Now, although I know that sounds pretty simple, I | | | | the disc get the oxygen and nutrition it needs to |
| can't even tell you the number of times I've | | | | be healthy? Through the jelly in the center of the |
| heard a bulging disc pain sufferer tell me that they | | | | disc (the nucleus). |
| are using heat. Heat is one of the worst things | | | | The only way new oxygen and nutrition can enter |
| you can do when you are experiencing pain - | | | | the disc for improved healing is by physically |
| think about it - if the area is swollen, hot, and | | | | pumping the disc. |