If you’ve been diagnosed with an intervertebral herniated or bulging disc, treatment for your condition is probably of paramount concern. Before you perform too much research on your own, keep in mind that every patient is unique and that no two cases of herniated or bulging discs will be treated exactly the same. That said, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various treatments your physician may ultimately recommend.

So What Are Intervertebral Discs Anyway?

Before you can have a thorough understanding of how the various herniated and bulging disc treatment options work, you should first know a little bit about the spinal anatomy, particularly the intervertebral discs themselves. A disc has two components: the annulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. The annulus fibrosus is a disc’s tough – yet flexible – outer shell, while the nucleus pulposus is the disc’s jellylike center. When weight or pressure is placed on a disc, its annulus fibrosus is tasked with absorbing the load in order to keep its adjacent vertebrae (the bone structures that house and protect the spinal cord) protected from the impact. The nucleus pulposus is responsible for evenly distributing the load in all directions within the disc so as to prevent one portion of the annulus fibrosus from receiving an intense blow.

Over time, the intervertebral discs can break down as a result of the constant strain they endure. As an individual reaches middle age, his or her discs can suffer a number of degenerative changes that can negatively affect the health of the spine. The annuli fibrosi can become brittle and less elastic while the nuclei pulposi can dehydrate and become less adept at evenly distributing pressure. It is these degenerative changes that are typically to blame for bulging and herniated discs.

What Are Bulging and Herniated Discs?

A bulging disc occurs when an unstable nucleus pulposus shifts too much of the disc’s internal pressure toward one side of the disc. The weakened annulus fibrosus buckles under the pressure (so to speak) and is unable to maintain its proper shape. As a result, the disc’s nucleus pulposus bulges to one side, causing the disc to become misshapen.

In the case of a herniated disc, the nucleus pulposus escapes from the confines of the annulus fibrosus. When an annulus has become dry and brittle, it can easily tear or crack when the nucleus pulposus presses against it. In turn, the nucleus pulposus seeps through the crack and enters the spinal column.

What are the Symptoms of Bulging and Herniated Discs?

The nucleus pulposus contains inflammation-causing enzymes that can severely agitate the tiny nerves that traverse the annulus fibrosus. When the two come into contact with one another as the result of a herniated disc, the patient can experience sharp pain and inflammation in the neck or back. If the escaped nucleus pulposus comes into contact with the spinal cord, spinal nerve, or spinal nerve root, the patient can experience a variety of symptoms that radiate along the length of the affected nerve, and the same can be said when a bulging disc presses against these neural structures. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness that may appear in the head, neck, upper back, shoulders, and/or arms when the compression occurs in the cervical spine (neck). Compression in the lower back (lumbar spine) can cause symptoms to appear in the lower back, hips, buttocks, and/or legs.

What Treatments Are Available?

The vast majority of patients can find relief in the form of conservative, nonsurgical treatments. This can include a combination of over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); physical therapy; the application of heat/and or ice; and others. In rare cases, patients may require surgery if conservative treatments fail to provide relief after several weeks or months.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient herniated disc treatment and procedures for several other spinal conditions.

Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient herniated disc treatment. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/bulging_disc/bulging_disc_treatments/

Author Bio: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient herniated disc treatment and procedures for several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Disc Treatment