What is a bulging disc?
A bulging disc can be called a number of other things including has a slipped disc, a protruding disc, a herniated disc, or a ruptured disc. It is an injury that can cause irritation of a nerve where it exits the spine. The result can be localised or referred pain, muscle spasms, and nerve pain. It commonly occurs in the lumbar spine (low back) but can also occur in the thoracic and cervical spine (middle back, upper back and neck). A bulging disc can irritate a nerve where it exits the spine and can result in pain, weakness, cramps or spasms, and altered sensations such as pins and needles in the area of injury, however, can also refer to further to the arms and legs.
Bulging Disc
How is a bulging disc commonly treated?
In the initial stages following the injury, deloading, anti-inflammatory medication and heat or cold application (depending on which provides pain relief) are best to start with to manage pain. Once pain has settled somewhat, the reintroduction of appropriate exercise is important. A personalised exercise program to improve strength, flexibility, posture and movement control can be extremely effective in reducing symptoms and facilitating a return to normal work and hobbies.
How can an Exercise Physiologist help?
An Exercise Physiologist is best equipped to guide you through the process of regaining your strength and confidence again after injury. We do this with a graded exercise program and aim to have you feeling stronger and more able than before injury occurred.
