The spinal column is a complicated arrangement of vertebrae (bones), ligaments (connective bands of tissue), and discs. Spinal discs are specialized tissue that serves to separate the vertebrae and absorb the shock regularly applied to the spine. They are composed of a gelatinous center, called the nucleus, and a firmer, almost rubbery, outer shell. Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably incorrectly, herniated and bulging discs are spinal disc injuries differentiated by the kind of damage the disc sustains.
Bulging Discs
A bulging disc results when, as the name implies, a spinal disc bulges. Due to stiffening associated with dehydration, the disc compresses, usually uniformly but not always. This squeezes the edges of the disc outward, which can lead to pain if surrounding nerves are irritated. Often bulging discs affect multiple discs at once.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs may also be called slipped or ruptured discs, which can be misleading. The entire disc does not slip out of its place in the spinal column, nor does the whole disc rupture.
The outer layer of the disc (the annulus) rips, and some of the softer internal cartilage emerges. Herniated discs are often more painful than bulging discs since the cartilage of the nucleus can stick out further from such a concentrated rip and aggravate surrounding nerve roots. Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spinal column, but they are most common in the lumbar region (the lower back).
Both herniated and bulging discs are spinal disc injuries that can lead to pain and even loss of functionality.
Causes
Either of these spinal disc injuries can occur as the result of injury, though a disc is more likely to herniate under such localized trauma. Degeneration as a natural part of aging is the greatest risk factor for spinal disc injuries, especially bulging discs.
Symptoms
The spectrum of symptoms that stem from a nerve root in the spinal column being compressed is referred to as radiculopathy. Though the exact symptoms produced by one of these spinal disc injuries depend on the location of the disc and the severity of the damage, radiculopathy typically includes numbness, weakness, and pain in affected areas. Generally, only one side of the body experiences symptoms. A person with herniated or bulging disc may not experience pain until the protruding nucleus compresses a nerve.
Treatment
With proper care, spinal disc injuries can generally be relieved in 4-6 weeks. They may even heal themselves. Our chiropractors at Rock Creek Spine and Rehabilitation have a variety of techniques to aid in the healing process and to alleviate pain.
Flexion-distraction technique. The flexion-distraction technique uses a moving table to—in conjunction with the chiropractor’s skilled adjustments—stretch and decompress the spine. Segments of the table lower and let gravity assist in realigning the patient’s spine. Meanwhile, the patient does not actively engage any soft tissues or muscles.
Pelvic-blocking treatments. The goal in the case of spinal disc injuries is to move the damaged disk off of the nerve sending pain signals. Pelvic blocking treatments use padded wedges under either side of the pelvis to draw the injured disc away from the nerve being compressed.
Laser therapy. Laser therapy serves to target affected areas of the spine and promotes the body’s own natural healing processes. It has been shown to significantly improve the range of motion previously inhibited by spinal disc injuries.
At-home stretching. Ask your chiropractor to suggest some stretching and strengthening exercises to retain mobility after other disc treatments and prevent damage in the future.
Your chiropractor will look over any diagnostic scans and imaging to be fully informed as he or she proceeds with a treatment plan, and will only utilize spinal manipulation after determining by assessment that doing so will fit your spinal needs. If surgery or other invasive care options have been recommended to you, consider seeking the counsel of a chiropractor first.
Contact Rock Creek Spine & Rehabilitation Center in Broomfield, CO to schedule an appointment for your herniated/bulging disc with our Chiropractors!