What is a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

What are the Symptoms of a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

What are the Causes of a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

What are the Treatment Options for a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

Bulging and Herniated Disc Success Stories

What is a Bulging or herniated disc?

The Healthy Disc:

Your body is a complex, intricate and perfect system. The spine, in particular, is an engineering marvel.

From the base of your brain extend delicate nerves (which carry vital information from the brain to specific destinations throughout the body, and back again). These nerves come together and exit out of the brain collectively forming the spinal cord, which then passes down through your spine. The nerves of the spinal cord are comfortably encased in a protective, strong outer casing.

In between each vertebrae of the spine is a tough but flexible disc made primarily of water, collagen and cartilage, with a gel centre for shock absorption. The discs act as spacers in such a way that they provide space through which the nerves may pass from the spinal cord and branch out to organs, muscles and tissues of your body. Hence, the critical information that originates in your brain is smoothly transmitted through your body via the nerves to intended destinations and back again. This keeps your body functioning and makes your muscles and limbs move when and where you want optimally.

It’s a perfect design.

The Bulging or Herniated Disc:

Every day you twist, turn, stretch and stress your back. It moves in kind, and it protects the delicate nerves. However, as strong as the spine is, it is not impervious. Daily contortions and compressions can be wearing. The intervetebral spinal discs, in particular, bear the brunt of the stresses and compressions that naturally occur.

How is the disc affected? Think of a taught balloon. When you press your fingers on one end of it, a bulge appears on the opposite end. When you release your fingers from the balloon, the bulge retracts. In a simplified way this is how your spinal discs function.

If the pressure on a disc is excessive (eg: rotating while lifting something extremely heavy), repetitive single direction movements (eg: golf) or traumatic (eg: a bad slip and fall) the wall of a disc can begin to weaken and become inflamed. The gel centre moves towards the weakened wall, causing a bulge. This bulge then extends to the natural openings of the spine, often pressing directly against a nerve. The pressure on a nerve can cause pain, ranging from mild to extreme. There may also be problems with the functioning of your organs. Very serious conditions may develop as a result.

What are the Symptoms of a Bulging or Herniated Disc?

A disc bulge or herniation can cause serious pain when it extends into the spinal canal and presses on one of the adjacent sciatic nerve roots. It can cause inflammation and swelling of surrounding tissue. This almost always results in further compression of the nerve root, and more pain.   A herniated disc is one of the more common causes of sciatica pain.

A disc bulge or herniation can cause serious pain when the disc extends into the spinal canal and presses on an adjacent nerve root. It can cause inflammation and swelling of surrounding tissue. This almost always results in further compression of the nerve root, and more pain.

If the affected disc is in the lower (lumbar) spine, symptoms can include pain, muscle weakness, numbness and tingling in the legs. If the affected disc is in the neck (cervical), symptoms can include pain, headaches, deep pain that goes into the shoulders.

Common Causes of Bulging/Herniated Disc

Spinal discs are found along the spinal cord, in between each set of vertebrae. The discs are an essential part of the overall structure of the spine. They create a secure channel through which the spinal cord passes and branches out to all parts of the body. They allow for movement of the spine. They’re nature’s shock absorbers.

Causes of a bulge or herniation (tear in the disc wall) include:

• repetitive strain
• injury caused by intense lifting or forceful twisting

Bulging/Herniated Disc Treatment Options

Pain of sciatica can be alleviated if the disc inflammation is reduced and the disc bulge heals and retracts off the nerve.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is advanced technology that does this. It targets the specific spinal disc requiring care. Forceful, safe, targeted decompression forces create space for the injured/damaged disc to retract, re-oxygenate and re-hydrate.

Non-surgical spinal decompression is a component of the High Performance Healing System™, designed by Dr. Nusbaum for Back Clinics of Canada patients. Patients benefit from powerful, targeted healing. Treatment is safe, non-invasive, non-surgical, and highly effective.

Regardless of what it is that led to a serious, painful bulging or herniated disc, the High Performance Healing System has proven time and time again that healing is possible and a pain-free life is attainable.

Contact Back Clinics of Canada today and schedule a consultation/examination with Dr. Nusbaum. Learn if you are a candidate for this program. And begin your path a pain-free life!

Bulging and Herniated Disc Success Stories

Caitlin K. had a incredibly herniated disc in her lower spine that caused intense pain when standing, bending, and trying to lift things. She tried physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, massage, and medication, but nothing seemed to help. She was told by numerous doctors that her only option was surgery. Through the treatments of spinal decompression and laser therapy that Caitlin received with Dr. Nusbaum and his wonderful staff she is grateful to be back on her feet again. Click on her image to learn more about Caitlin’s inspiring story!

 

Peter L. was diagnosed with a bulging disc after having lower back pain that gor progressively worse. He was unable to stand straight or walk. Every step caused pain. His quality of life was ground to a halt, he could no longer do the things that he enjoyed doing. After completing the Back Clinics of Canada program, he feels GREAT and can now go back to sailing and boat racing which he so enjoys. Click on Peter’s image to read more!