A bulging disc can be the source of a great deal of pain and discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to treat bulging discs.The technical definition of a bulging disc is where the outermost layer of the disc (the cushion-like ‘disc’ of material between two vertebrae) weakens, causing the inner nucleus pulposus to bulge outward. The resultant bulge of tissue can sometimes irritate nearby nerves, causing pain and discomfort.
Treatments vary depending upon the severity of the condition. Often, although not always, conservative treatments are sufficient to heal and reverse the condition. Chiropractic care, for example, serves to realign the spine which, in turn, serves to reduce or eliminate any misalignment of vertebrae that may be contributing to the condition. This lets the body heal naturally. However, it is not the only avenue available.
The following list details a large number of treatment methods that can be used to help heal a bulging disc:
Non-Invasive Treatments
1. ABPP
The Alaska Back Pain Protocol is a proprietary treatment plan developed by Dr. Brent Wells, Chiropractor, of Better Health Alaska. It consists of a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, massage therapy, and the DRS system. When combined these techniques piggy-back on each other and provide a powerful tool for relief healing of a bulging disc.
Available at:
- The ABPP is only available at Better Health Alaska a chiropractic office with physical therapists and massage therapists on staff.
2. Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment for bulging discs usually consists of spinal manipulation. Here, the doctor of Chiropractic seeks to realign the spine. Spinal misalignment is, after all, a common cause of bulging discs. Eliminate the cause, and the body can often eliminate the problem.
This case study posted by the National Library of Medicine on Pub Med details the treatment of a 34-year-old woman with a herniated disc (a severe example of a bulging disc where the outer layer has ruptured allowing inner material to extrude). The study found that the use of spinal manipulation in conjunction with acupuncture proved to be an “effective treatment.”2
Available at:
3. Physical Therapy
Physical Therapy uses specific exercises under guidance of a trained physical therapist to strengthen the muscles surrounding the disc in question. The idea is that stronger muscles will hold the disc more firmly in its proper place. This will help to eliminate slippage – which would aggravate the condition – and also serve to help realign the spine.
A case study from the Academic Physiotherapy Conference Proceeding by Rindang Rizky Nastiti and Umi Budi Rahayu found that physical therapy consisting of hamstring stretches, core exercises, and other PT methods led to a reduction in pain and improved mobility in a 37-year-old housewife1.
Available at:
- Better Health Alaska
- Advanced Physical Therapy – Anchorage
- United Physical Therapy
- Alaska Physical Therapy Specialists
4. Pain Management Medications
Medications are often used to deal with pain. The most common ones are NSAIDS which serve to reduce both pain and inflammation. This makes the patient more comfortable and gives other treatment modalities time to work.
On occasion other meds are also used for similar purposes. These run the gamut from muscle relaxants to even powerful opioids in extreme cases.
5. Epidural Steroid Injections
Epidural Steroid Injections, or ESIs, involve injecting corticosteroids into the tissues surrounding the nerve affected by the disc bulge. These can serve to reduce inflammation and pain allowing other methods like physical therapy and spinal manipulations to do their work.
A narrative review posted on the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that “several studies have proved that ESIs are able to increase patients’ quality of life, relieve lumbosacral radicular pain and finally, reduce or delay more invasive interventions, such as spinal surgery.”3
Available at:
- Advanced Pain Center – Alaska
- AA Spine & Pain Clinic
- Neuroversion
6. Rest and Lifestyle Modifications
One of the first conservative treatments given to patients is rest. It is usually only limited to a day or two. Beyond that, it’ll likely do more harm than good. Additionally,
Chiropractors often suggest lifestyle modifications because the underlying cause of many bulging discs can be traced back to certain lifestyle choices and habits. Often, patients are encouraged to give up smoking, invest in a chiropractic pillow, and/or begin a new exercise regimen.
Minimally-Invasive Treatments
7. Spinal Decompression Therapy
This treatment involves use of a specially designed machine that provides very gentle traction to the spine. It is designed to slowly and gently pull the vertebrae apart just a fraction so that the natural spacing between them can be restored. This allows the discs to settle back into place.
Available at:
- Better Health Alaska
- Denali Injury and Spine Center
- Alaska Back Care Center
- Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic
8. Percutaneous Discectomy
Another minimally invasive treatment option is Percutaneous Discectomy (or Nucleoplasty). In this procedure, a tiny incision is made which allows the doctor to remove a small amount of tissue from the nucleus of the disc. This serves to reduce the size of the bulge and the resulting pressure it is putting on the nerve in question.
Available at:
- Alpine Surgery Center
- Providence Alaska Medical Center
Surgical Treatments
9. Discectomy
Sometimes surgery may be required to fix the disc. One option is a discectomy in which a portion of the disc that is pressing against the nerve is removed. This should, in theory, eliminate the pressure on the disc.
Available at:
- Alaska Spine Center
- Anchorage Neurosurgical Associates
- Alpine Surgery Center
10. Spinal Fusion
Spinal fusion is one of the more extreme forms of surgery for a bulging disc. In this situation, the vertebrae surrounding the disc are fused together. This is intended to stabilize the patient’s spine and decrease his/her pain.
Available at:
- Alaska Regional Hospital
- Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
11. Artificial Disc Replacement
Artificial disc replacement is another option when conservative measures fail. It involves replacing the disc in question with an artificial one. The idea is to artificially provide stability and greater movement to the patient.
Available at:
- Atlas Disc and Spine Center
- Alaska Spine Center
- Arctic Spine
Alternative Therapies
12. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a discipline that comes from Eastern Medicine. It involves inserting special needles along energy lines/nerve routes throughout the body. It has been shown to be effective in reducing pain.
Available at:
- Point North Physical Therapy
- Snow Blossom Acupuncture LLC
- Relaxupuncture
- National Health Center LLC
13. Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy is another alternative treatment option. A trained massage therapist can perform special massage techniques to relax muscles and restore mobility in patients.
Available at:
- Better Health Alaska
- Alaska Massage Clinic
- Anchorage Massage Therapies
- Northern Lights Massage Center
14. Yoga
Yoga is another alternative treatment modality with origins in Eastern Medicine. It involves a lot of stretching and working of muscle groups to revivify the body. It works by strengthening the muscles throughout the body. As a result, it can help bulging discs wherever they occur – be it the neck, the back, the pelvis, or anywhere in between.
- Anchorage Yoga
- Open Space Yoga Studio
- Studio – Hot Yoga
Conclusion
Although bulging discs are frequent and very aggravating problems, there are treatment methods to help heal them. As a rule, the medical profession suggests exhausting conservative treatment methods first before resorting to more invasive, high-power methods (i.e. opioids and/or surgery) that may bear more substantial risks. However, they also suggest seeking treatment sooner rather than later.
Bulging discs are a disease of the spine. As such, chiropractors – experts in the musculoskeletal nervous system – are well-suited to treat them. At Better Health Alaska, we have on staff multiple chiropractors, physical therapists, and massage therapists. If you need assistance with a bulging disc, we can help.
Scientific Sources and Journals:
https://proceedings.ums.ac.id/apc/article/view/175
