Bulging Disc Treatment - Surgery is the Last Option

spinal stenosis

Most people do not really understand what a bulging disc is all about, even when talking about the bulging disc treatment that is needed to address the pain. This is simply because not a whole lot of people know that there are discs in our bodies. Most simply think that discs are in connection to DVDs and computer storage.

Biology 101 will inform us that all mammals are vertebrates. That is the spinal column or our back bone. The flexibility of the human species is far more advanced compared to other mammals. This is because the human spine is constructed of several interconnecting segments that are cushioned from friction by a gelatinous material that is called the spinal disc. This gel-like disc acts to absorb whatever shock or trauma a back has to endure, especially if the activities done mostly involve the back. When the discs get inflamed due to age or even spinal arthritis, the core of the disc will bulge outward causing a thinning on its outer wall. When this happens, sometimes there is no pain, other times the pain can be uncomfortable and debilitating and this can call for a good bulging disc treatment.

Other people may say the bulging disc is not the proper term. Well, actually, bulging disc can also called herniated disc, herniated being a bulge, so the term is still correct. Whatever the term may be one thing for certain, there is painful sensation, there is a tingling on the extremities, there is discomfort. For some it is so severe that even the most macho of men can cry crocodile tears without feeling shame. And the only way for a proper diagnosis is through a scan: MRI, CT or X-ray.

With the proper scanning, the physician will be able to properly diagnose the extent of the damage on the discs and be able to rule out simple back pain as sometimes the symptoms can be mistaken for. Surprisingly, mild anti inflammatory medications may be all that are needed for a successful treatment. That and proper rest and exercise should be effective. When people hear exercise they usually look at the doctor in curiosity until the doctor explains to them that immobilization will only worsen the condition.

Some people do not like taking the drugs for a bulging disc treatment. This is understandable as pain killers can be addicting, but if the patient is conscious of this and is under supervision of the doctors then the risks are few. That and the full awareness that they should not fall into dependence is the only way to consider medications. There are very few who get addicted and those who do probably did not follow the doctor's instructions faithfully.

Surgery would be the last course of action to take when discussing bulging disc treatment with the doctor, however, sometimes cases of the condition can be so severe and the disc ruptures that surgery may be the only curative treatment here. It should also be pointed out that there are a lot of people who dislike the knife actually beg to be put under it just to get over the pain. Whatever alternatives are out there, it is optimum that a good and thorough bulging disc treatment should be utilized just to get rid of the pain.