Herniated/Bulging Discs Treatment in Bel Air, MD

What does a herniated or bulging disc feel like?

A herniated or a bulging disc will often press on a nerve and cause pain, numbness, and/or weakness. A herniated or a bulging disc can occur at any point in the spine.

• If it occurs in the lower back, it will cause the pain, numbness, and/or weakness in the buttock and down the leg which is similar to sciatica .
• In the neck, patients may feel symptoms through the neck and down the arm to the finger tips.

A herniated or bulging disc can be compared with a jelly doughnut.  If you squeeze the doughnut the inside jelly will start to protrude out of the doughnut. When the jelly touches nerves or the spine this is when the pain and weakness happens.  When therapy is done we are actually trying to suck the jelly back into the doughnut.

Do you have a herniated or bulging disc?

If you are experiencing any pain, numbness, limited range of motion or weakness you may have a disc issue.  A thorough examination by our doctors is the first step to diagnosing a bulged or herniated disc. A MRI may be ordered also.

What is the treatment for a herniated or bulging disc?

Our chiropractors will customize a treatment plan for each patients’ condition and symptoms with a few main goals in mind.  Number one to relieve the pain and disability.  Number two-heal the disc.  Number three is to strengthen the surrounding tissues and prevent the injury from recurring.

• Spinal decompression /mechanical traction
• Gently reduces the pressure within the spine creating a vacuum-effect that reduces or reverses the bulging of the disc.
• Takes pressure off the nerves in that area, causing less pain and symptoms!
• The vacuum-effect also pulls oxygen and nutrients into the herniated disc allowing it to heal.

All this is done while the patient lies comfortably on the Spinal Decompression table. This part of the therapy takes approximately 15 minutes and, since they are virtually painless, most patients fall asleep during treatment!

• Physical Therapy
• Exercises will be introduced as part of the treatment plan after the pain begins to be alleviated.
• Main goal is for strength and flexibility. 

What is a herniated / bulging disc?  What caused it a herniated/ bulging disc?

Discs are the soft, spongy shock absorbs that lie between each of the vertebrae in the neck and back. Overtime and from the stress of life, the discs lose their flexibility. Normal wear and tear on the body can cause the disc to slip out of place, crack or break (herniated disc), or the gel inside the disc can leak out (bulging disc). This may also be called a “slipped” or “ruptured” disc. When the disc material “bulges” out it can press on a nerve which can cause pain, numbness, and/or weakness. Injuries may also cause the disc to become damaged.