The spinal column is one of the most important parts of a person’s body when it comes to maintaining proper health and daily comfort of any individual. In order for a patient to avoid pain and to experience a more positive quality of life, the spine should be evaluated regularly. Part of this evaluation should include checking for any potential bulging disks. An issue with a disc in a person’s spinal column can range from acute to very severe. Bulging discs are one of the most common causes of back pain, and unlike strain injuries or workout injuries, this issue is unlikely to solve itself over time. While strain can create a situation that encourages a disc to slip out of alignment, this can occur without a person having any kind of traumatic injury to the spinal column. This blog post will provide more information about what a bulging disc is, symptoms of a bulging disc, and how to diagnose and treat this ailment.

What Is a Bulging Disc?

There are essentially three different types of bulging discs, categorized by where exactly in the spine the disc is. These are cervical (the neck down to the collar bone), thoracic (the collar bone do the end of the rib cage), or lumbar (from the rib cage to the hips). Each of these areas contains a different number of vertebrae, but just about any of those vertebrae can slip out of place and bulge, putting pressure on the nerves that run along the spine. A weak spot develops, either through normal wear and tear on the column, or through an injury, and the disc moves out of alignment.

Symptoms of Bulging Discs

This can result not just in numbness in a certain area of the body, but weakness and pain, which ranges from acute to severe. Pain is one of the most common symptoms and it is also one of the most debilitating. Even a slight pinch in the back can make standing, sitting, lying down, and walking difficult. Weakness might be less noticeable, but numbness is often one of the more present and most concerning symptoms. Sudden numbness in a part of the body could be the result of a bulging disc, especially if it is accompanied by a burning pain in the back.

How Are Bulging Discs Treated?

Some bulging disc issues have to be treated with surgery. Others can be mitigated with effective chiropractic treatment. Discussing the issue with a chiropractor is the best way to determine whether or not the pain, weakness, or numbness is associated with a bulging disc. Once the issue is identified, the chiropractor will recommend treatment, often in the form of spine alignments and adjustments, to return the spine to a more natural position and alleviate pain.

For more information about chiropractic adjustments for a bulging disk, patients should feel free to contact Horst Chiropractic today. Any of the staff members are available to help set up appointments to make sure patients are properly cared for and comfortable.