The discs between your vertebrae perform as shock absorbers, offering flexibility and spine support. According to Dr. Jason Winseck of Cascades Laser Pain Center in Sterling, VA, when a disc bulges, that refers to a condition where the outer layer of the disc becomes weak, which allows the inner core to stick or protrude beyond what is considered its normal position. Unlike when a disc becomes herniated, a bulging disc does not break through the outer layer but merely stretches or protrudes against this outer layer – although both conditions cause a variety of symptoms.
Bulging Disc Symptoms
The symptoms of a bulging disc (which refers to the tough, rubbery cartilage that sits between the spine’s vertebrae) will vary and be contingent on its exact spinal location and whether the bulging disc has moved to a position that presses on a surrounding nerve. Not everyone with a bulging disc will be symptomatic; however, those who are might feel sharp, shooting, or dull pain, which can be localized or radiate and follow nerve pathways. Other symptoms include –
- Tingling/Numbness – nerve pressure can cause numbing sensations and localized tingling in the regions served by affected nerves.
- Muscle Weakness – potential weakness in surrounding muscles can limit movement or even specific activities.
- Changes to Your Reflexes – if compressed nerves are responsible for controlling reflexes, the bulging disc may cause reflex responses to become modified.
Causes of Bulging Discs
Bulging discs are often related to the human body’s natural aging process because the intervertebral discs become less flexible and more vulnerable to structural changes. Other causes include -
- Wear-and-Tear – repeated motion and spinal stress will contribute to natural wear and tear.
- Family History/Genetics – some individuals may be genetically predisposed to the development of a condition related to a spinal disc.
- Injuries: Trauma or injuries to the spine cause the disc to bulge/weaken.
- Lifestyle Factors
- o Poor posture or poor ergonomic choices.
- o Carrying excess weight.
- o Smoking may increase the risk of disc degeneration.
Laser Therapy Solutions for Bulging Discs
As an experienced chiropractor, Dr. Winseck understands and uses many techniques to reduce pain and related bulging disc symptoms. Cascades Laser Pain Center offers non-surgical and drug-free options using Class 4 near-infrared laser wavelengths that provide effective therapeutic relief. The benefits include –
- Decreased Swelling.
- Increased Circulation.
- Reduced Pain.
- Accelerated Tissue Repair/Healing.
Contact a Sterling, VA, Pain Center Today
If you or someone you know suffers from discomfort that might be caused by a bulging disc, contact Dr. Winseck or a staff member at Cascades Laser Pain Center at 703-404-0350 or online.