Bulging Disc
Most patients make the mistake in thinking that a “bulging disc” is the same as a “protruding disc”. In reality, a bulging disc may be considered as the earliest state in the development of a disc herniation.
A bulging disc is considered as a contained disc disorder. This means that the soft center of the intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) has pushed against the outer fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) so that, without tearing or rupturing the outer layer, it would appear as a swollen mass. Unlike a protruding disc, however, a bulging disc is not large enough to jut into the spinal canal and compress a nerve root or nerve.
Bulging Disc Symptoms
So what causes bulging disc symptoms? Despite the absence of nerve compression, a bulging disc induces the release of inflammatory chemical mediators – most notably Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF) and Interleukin-17 (IL-17) – which irritate the nerve roots or nerves.
Most cases of bulging discs do not present with any symptoms at all. In fact, bulging discs are more often incidental findings on CT and MRI scans done on patients who are being evaluated for other diseases.
The pain of bulging discs is usually limited to the site in the spine where it is located. A cervical bulging disc usually presents with neck pain. On the other hand, lumbar bulging discs are characterized by pain in the lower back or buttocks. With persistent nerve irritation, pain may follow the nerve pathway radiation that is observed with protruding or herniated discs.
Relief Options for Bulging Disc Symptoms
Since bulging disc symptoms are acute, the pain may resolve on its own with a few hours of rest of with the application of ice and hot compresses. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help not only to relieve pain but also to counteract the nerve irritation caused by the inflammatory mediators.
Patients diagnosed with bulging discs are advised to observe good posture habits and not do any heavy lifting so that the condition will not be aggravated any further. Back strengthening and stretching exercises also help to build stability in the spine and flexibility in the muscles and other supportive tissues.
Bulging discs have been found to respond very well to inversion therapy, a type of traction using an inversion table. A more effective bulging disc treatment is spinal decompression therapy, which could pull back the swollen nucleus pulposus to the center of the intervertebral disc.
Bulging disc surgery is rarely performed since this condition can be adequately managed through conservative means.
While a bulging disc should not be a cause of great concern for a patient, he or she must observe good posture and perform regular low-impact exercises that would prevent the condition from progressing to a more painful protruding or herniated disc.
