Working and experiencing severe back pain down the spine is extremely common among working people and those who are in their mid-20s to 30s. Every back pain may not be due to bulging discs. But disc bulge is often the reason for back pain in aging people and people who have encountered back or spine injuries. It is a relief that disc bulges can be cured with proper treatment. It is often good to know the problem rather than saying no to it. So, in the following article, all the causes, home remedies, treatments and recovery processes are listed to provide a better understanding.
Our backbone is made up of units called vertebrae. These vertebrae are connected with the help of discs. When the gel in the disc center starts to wear off and reduce, it leads to the problem of disc bulging. Less gel causes the discs to get compressed, and they bulge out. Reduction in the amount of gel is a common phenomenon while aging. A disc bulge can also be caused due to spinal injury caused by accident like a car or motorcycle accident.
The treatment and healing process is quite simple. Sometimes most of the patients get their bulged discs healed comfortably with proper treatments and medications, that too without any complications. The symptoms usually get better within two to three months of the treatment.
A disc bulge can result due to many factors. The most common and widely seen causes are listed below:
Aging is the most common cause of a disc bulge: with the growing years, the gel in the disc starts to decrease, which causes more wear and tear of the discs, often resulting in bulging out.
A very impactful accident like a car crash, motorcycle crash, etc.
Impacted due to any kind of sports activities.
Calcium deficiency.
Improper diet and health.
Stress and tension
Exercising in the wrong postures.
Working in the wrong postures.
Arm and leg pains: if the disc bulge is in the lower region of the vertebral column then the pain is most likely faced in the buttocks region. The pain can go down to one or both legs. If the bulging is in the upper part of the vertebral column the pain can spread to the neck, shoulder and arm region. The pain can often become sharp while changing or shifting positions, coughing and sneezing.
Numbness and tingling sensation: while working or doing any activities the region may often feel numb and senseless. There might be a tingling sensation. The tingling sensation and numbness are experienced due to the affected nerves.
Weakness in the affected region: the muscles around the disc often become weak due to the affected nerves. It causes difficulty in lifting heavy weights, climbing stairs, indulging in heavy tasks and the person can stumble down.
Back and leg pain: due to the affected nerves in the region, there is no proper signaling. This creates pain in and around the affected areas. The pain can be felt in the buttock, legs, arm, neck and shoulder region depending on the position of the disc affected.
Herniation: a bulging disc is an early sign of spinal disc degeneration. Due to the continuous wear and tear of the gel in the disc, the gel might crack through the exterior portion of the disc causing it to herniate. It can cause damage to the nerve roots.
Permanent nerve damage: without any proper or delayed treatment the damaged nerve roots can cause permanent damage to the entire nerve. Which might lead to chronic back pain, numbness, tingly sensation, weakness and loss of sensation.
Apart from receiving or undergoing any treatment, here are some of the things that can be done at home to help the healing or curing process:
Building bone strength: eating healthy and nutritious will help to build bone strength and will make the healing process smoother.
One should take the prescribed painkillers if experiencing any sudden pain. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications).
Regular exercise: regular exercises help to keep the bone and muscle stronger, prevent any early deformities and help to heal faster from any impact.
Proper intake of medications prescribed by the doctor. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medicines)
Regular and scheduled visits to the doctor or physician.
Keeping a healthy and balanced weight: obesity can create stress and pressure in certain body parts like the spine, spine discs, legs, etc.
Practicing good posture: while working, eating, or sitting, an overall good posture should be maintained. The posture in which the spine is kept straight without putting any extra stress. The posture should feel comfortable to work with.
Stretching frequently: early morning or evening stretches are best to prevent many bone and muscle-related problems.
Going for walks: early morning or evening walks are good ways to increase blood circulation and keep the bones and muscles working.
Living a healthy lifestyle: eating healthy, working out regularly, no smoking, and drinking plenty of water.
The doctor might perform certain neurological tests to confirm the disorder, which include:
Imaging tests like X-Rays, CT scans, MRI, etc. can also be performed for confirmation.
Nerve examinations are performed to see the extent of nerve damage.
It is essential to provide the doctor with any previous history of chronic illness or disorders like high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers, kidney problems, etc.
Over-the-counter medications are prescribed, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), and naproxen sodium (Aleve). (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
If the pain doesnāt improve with oral medications, the doctors often give cortisone injections. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
For muscle spasms, muscle relaxers are prescribed. Dizziness and sedation are the common side effects. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
If the condition becomes severe, opioids are often given. As opioids are known for their strong side effects, it is often ignored by doctors. (note: it is advisable to contact a doctor before trying out the medications)
The treatment can include certain therapy sessions.
For a few people often surgery is required to get the disorder under control. Surgery is usually performed in cases when the numbness, weakness, pain, and inability to stand correctly donāt go away.
In most cases, the disc bulge is appropriately healed with the help of regular medications and therapies.
The bulged disc improves over the period with proper medications and treatment. It takes almost three to four months to get rid of the symptoms. The period of recovery depends from person to person and on many factors like the extent of herniation, location of the bulging, eating habits, and lifestyle. Some people often experience sudden pain during the recovery process. In most cases, the disc resolves to its normal state, on its own without any complications.
After the treatment, the person should immediately contact their doctor to avoid further complications if they have increased pain, swelling, discomfort, bruising, and any signs of infection.
Resolve360 is a promising online platform where one can receive treatment at the comfort of their own home.Ā
Sick patients donāt need to worry about traveling long distances to get diagnosed.
The patients can save time and utilize that time to take care of themselves.
Live sessions are conducted so that the patients can have a face to face interaction with their assigned doctors.Ā
Building trust is really important. So, we always try our best to provide the maximum support to the patients to make them feel comfortable.Ā
We always schedule the timings of the meetings based on the patientās preference. Rescheduling can also be done if there are any problems.
When a patient comes to our doctor, it becomes the responsibility of our doctor to give them a healthy life.
We guarantee that the doctors will never leave their patients.Ā
The patients can openly talk about their problems, and we assure them that the information will be between them and the doctors.Ā
Our doctors plan every step necessary for their patients, from planning exercises to drafting their diet charts.Ā
The doctors on the platform are highly reliable and are certified professionals with experience.Ā
It is a platform that provides solutions to every problem, starting with home remedies to prescribed medications.Ā
The patientās trust is our confidence!
There is free access to knowledge and consultation. For further details, donāt forget to contact us! We will take extreme pride in serving you! Happy recovery!
Disclaimer: The above-mentioned remedies and medicines; are over the counter medicines and are effective in most cases. It is advisable to contact your doctor before taking any medications.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelorās from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
Dr. Nidhi
She has persuaded her bachelorās from SGT University, Gurugram, she has done her internship at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and persuade her Master in Physiotherapy from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut. She has previously worked with Orthocure clinic, Dr.Nasir physiotherapy rehabilitation, Quantum physiotherapy, and wellness center.
If you have more questions.
If you would like to know more about any of the health conditions, please fill up the form below and talk to Doctors on Resolve360 directly by asking a question.
We are your doctorās first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctorās first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
We are your doctorās first choice and trusted by 50,000+ patients.
Resolve360 is great platform for online physiotherapy.
I was suffering from scapula dyskinesia and had lot of pain in right shoulder movement. I was introduced to Resolve 360 by my oncologist.
Within a month (26 sessions) there was a considerable improvement. Sessions are very cost-effective and doctors are very kind and efficient.
Doctor David has been really great and helpful. I would highly recommend Resolve 360.
I took prenatal care program from Resolve 360. Dr. Preyrna was assigned to me and she has done commendable job. I did prenatal exercises under her supervision, she designed program according to my body need. With her help my pregnancy was healthy and I got good dilations at the time of delivery. I am blessed with a healthy baby girl and very happy with Resolve 360.
Best therapy sessions that too at home and timings are very flexible. I had a issue in my neck and lower back since almost 4 to 5 years, taken so many treatments and physio sessions. But all gave a temporary relief. Then my friend referred me this Resolve 360 in 2020, in starting i was hesitant as everything was online, but after taking almost 10 sessions i got much relief, and now i am almost free of pain. Thanks to the team of Resolve 360.
I had online Physiotherpy sessions by Prerana for my heel pain. ( Tendo Achilis Sprain).
Though virtual, it was more interactive.
She was very observant throughout the sessions, correcting me while doing the exercises and was assertive in her outlook.
I found her instructions and methodology very helpful. She is updated in her academic knowledge in the field of Physiotherpy. She clarified my doubts about the role of Laser and Ultrasound treatment quoting evidence based data. With my personal experience I agree with her opinion that these are more of placebo effect.
Physiotherpy though not a miracle treatment, is a compelling necessity to most of the musculoskeletal and neurological illnesses. It needs to be accepted as healthy way to live.
From being a couch potato with poor cardio respiratory system to reaching pre-athlete levels of fitness in a span of 3 months, my journey with Resolve360 and Dr.David (Physiotherapist) has been anything but magical!
About 3 to 4 months ago, my blood report showed very high bad cholesterol levels, I was low on stamina and had frequent breathing issues. My GP prescribed me cholesterol meds for a month but I felt that alone wouldnāt get me back in shape because I needed a major lifestyle overhaul.
Dr.David educated me about my condition in detail and where it could lead me to if I donāt take action in the long run. He put me on a balanced workout regime being easy with cardio workouts in the initial days and gradually upgraded it observing me closely. He also advises me on dietary choices and follows up frequently. During the initial days, my ears used to get blocked within 5 wall squats and I stop right away but now I do over 20 in one shot and hardly feel a thing. I used to lose balance and fall off over my face within 6 push-ups or 20 seconds of plank and now I do about 24 push-ups in one shot. My heart rate used to raise above 150 bpm doing jumping jacks or other cardio workout within 20-30 seconds. You wonāt believe I donāt do any of these cardio workouts without additional weights on my feet these days and my heart rate and recovery are as steady as they could get. I couldnāt run for over 2 min without stopping and gasping and now I cover about 4.6 km in 30 min and follow-up with a 20 min walk. Not convinced yet? My VO2 Max (I use an Apple Watch to measure this stat) was just about 33 while I started with Resolve360 and David. That reflects a very poor cardio respiratory fitness for a 34 year old. Itās 43.5 today ! Easily above average. Please read upon about VO2 Max and how it directly relates to cardio respiratory fitness so you get an accurate picture about my monumental progress in the last 3 months. Iāve been trying to get into a regular physical workout and balanced diet discipline since my 20s but Iād never been so motivated as Iām now. Give these guys a try. After all, the best investment you could ever make is on your health !
We contacted resolve360 for our child speech issue and I must say Resolve 360 team and Apoorva doing a wonderful job.
Our speech therapist Jaslia from Resolve360 is having a excellent knowledge and it helps our child a lot. Jaslia understand child psychology very well. Due to her efforts, we are seeing tremendous improvements in our child. She has a strong dedication towards her work and her nature towards kids makes her a very special one. She has given us enough confidence, due to her efforts and excellent service, we are seeing good improvements for my child speech & communication skills.
I would highly recommend Jaslia & Resolve360 team for their excellent work. God bless you!!