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By Patrick Foote
Receiving a bulging disc diagnosis can mean different things to different people. Some patients may find relief simply in knowing what has been causing their discomfort. Others may learn that they have a bulging disc and weren’t even aware of the existence of the condition.
If symptoms are hindering a patient’s way of life, a treatment plan to help alleviate pain should be implemented as soon as possible. Oftentimes patients will find relief through a specific combination of non-surgical therapies; however, since every case is different, patients should expect a period of trial-and-error to occur before the ideal treatment regimen is determined.
Discussing a Treatment Plan with Your Doctor
For individuals who have received a bulging disc diagnosis, the next step is to discuss and determine a treatment plan with the diagnosing doctor or spine specialist. Typically, a course of conservative (non-surgical) methods are recommended first. Conservative treatments can include:
— Physical therapy – Physical therapists can help to educate patients about proper body mechanics and correct posture, as well as exercises and stretching techniques that can prepare muscles to better support the spine.
— Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – NSAIDs are usually used as the first line of defense when it comes to bulging disc treatments. Naproxen and ibuprofen are two types of NSAIDs widely available to patients over-the-counter and in varying strengths by prescription. These medications work to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
— Heat and/or cold therapy – In most cases, the application of cold compresses or ice packs is recommended at the onset of symptoms. When cold is applied to a painful area several times a day in 20-minute increments, it can help to combat inflammation and numb pain. Heat may be more effective several days after the onset of symptoms, working to reduce muscle tension and promote blood flow.
— Low-impact exercise – Exercises such as walking or swimming can not only improve the overall health of a bulging disc patient, but can also increase blood circulation and promote the absorption of nutrients within the intervertebral discs.
A number of patients with a bulging disc diagnosis decide to attempt an alternative treatment plan. Such treatments are also non-surgical, but tend to take a more holistic approach to treatment than conservative methods. Massage, chiropractic adjustments, herbal supplements, acupuncture, and acupressure are all alternative methods that a patient may want to research after a bulging disc diagnosis.
It is helpful to know that no one treatment plan has to be set in stone; in fact, adjustment to some methods often is necessary over the course of several weeks or months to give a patient the best possible chance for pain relief.
The Possibility of Surgery
Surgery is rarely suggested immediately after a bulging disc diagnosis. In most cases, a doctor or spine specialist will only recommend that a patient undergo a surgical procedure if the individual’s symptoms have not responded well to conservative or alternative treatments and they continue to live in extreme pain. Additionally, if a doctor believes that a surgical procedure can be helpful for a particular patient, there will be several factors taken into account before suggesting a procedure, such as the patient’s age and overall health, as well as the severity, location, and frequency of symptoms experienced.
About the Author: 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 several other spinal conditions.
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