Receiving a bulging disc diagnosis could be the first step in relieving your back pain. Back pain ails many, many Americans, especially as we get up there in years. Unfortunately, though, back pain is an ambiguous, broad term that can include a plethora of various spinal abnormalities. One of the most common of spinal abnormalities is a bulging disc. Symptoms of a bulging disc include pain and tenderness at the site of the disc bulge, as well as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms radiating into the extremities. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a bulging disc could be the source of your symptoms, but the only way to confirm it is to visit your doctor and receive a bulging disc diagnosis.

What to Expect in the Doctor’s Office

When you visit your doctor to receive a bulging disc diagnosis, be prepared to explain to your doctor the symptoms you have been feeling, and don’t leave out any details, even the little ones. Your doctor will likely start the diagnosis by asking you about your family medical history to gain a better perspective. After that you will be asked when you first started noticing your symptoms, how strong they are, what they feel like, and other questions about your symptoms. After the questioning, it is likely that your doctor will give you both a physical examination and a neurological examination. The physical examination is essentially a physical checkup, in which your doctor will be checking your overall physical condition, taking note of anything unusual. The neurological examination consists of your doctor giving you a command and watching how your body responds to different tasks, noting when you feel pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms. At this point your doctor has probably deduced what your specific condition is, and is most likely ready to provide you with a bulging disc diagnosis.

However, sometimes additional testing is required to reach a diagnosis. It is not uncommon for your doctor to take an X-ray or two of your back to better understand your spinal condition. Your doctor should be certain of your condition after looking at X-rays, but you may be asked to receive additional medical imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan. After diagnosing you, your doctor will explain what the condition means for you and the treatment options that are available to you.

What a Bulging Disc Diagnosis Means For You

A bulging disc diagnosis is not something that can just be overlooked, but at the same token, it is not a terminal illness, either. Sometimes a disc will bulge beyond its normal boundaries and not impinge on any other part of the spinal anatomy, whereby it probably would not cause any symptoms to be felt. Chances are, though, that if you have received a bulging disc diagnosis, you are experiencing symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms. The bad news about that is the symptoms probably aren’t going to go magically away, but the good news is that treatment is available. Bulging discs symptoms may be relieved, and sometimes even eradicated, through the use of nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatments can include bed rest, hot/cold treatment, physical therapy, and pain and anti-inflammatory medications. Your doctor will work with you and put together a treatment regimen that best suits your condition.

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 procedures for the treatment of bulging discs and 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 procedures for bulging discs and other spinal conditions. http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/bulging_disc/

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 procedures for the treatment of bulging discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Bulging disc