Bulging Discs and the Pain They Bring

Do you know that bulging discs in your spine can bring pain? Yes they can. Well, a bulging disc is the result of the dislocation of the cartilage found between two spinal vertebrae. Usually, the people who suffer from bulging discs are those who lift heavy things or those who pick things up with bending at the knees and without keeping their backs straight. Another cause of a bulging disc is an accident that hurts the spinal column. 

Budging discs bring pain because the dislocated cartilage put unnecessary pressure on the nerve endings. Thus, the first-aid given to somebody with a bulging disc involves minimizing the pain so that he may not become immobile when the nerve endings are swollen. Here are the usual measures take to tackle bulging disc problems. 

Treat the inflammation

The pain from a bulging disc gets worse every time a patient moves. This means that he must take a rest after physical exertion. Taking a rest is the most effective way to prevent the injury from getting worse. In the first 48 hours that the pain appears, a patient should try his best to reduce pain and lessen the inflammation. What can be done? Putting ice on the affected part is needed in order to get the blood vessels to constrict. Constriction of the blood vessels leads to the reduction of the swelling. When that is achieved, the patient can apply hot packs to get the blood flowing again for healing. 

Tackle the Symptoms

The pain resulting from a bulging disc can be remedied by taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as naproxen sodium and ibuprofen. These substances lessen the body’s natural reaction to injury, thereby reducing the swelling. But for acute pain, a patient will be prescribed to take steroids or cortisone, stronger drugs for pain. 

A natural pain-reliever is the herb called Ilex. This herb is known to lessen inflammation and swelling through its analgesic properties and muscle-relaxant properties. However, anyone who wants to give these substances a try should talk to a medical practitioner to ensure safety. 

Make the muscles stronger

When the swelling caused by a bulging disc goes away, the patient can perform light exercises to strengthen his back muscles. Exercise is needed to get blood flowing to the affected part in order to start the healing process. On the other hand, elastic tendons and ligaments are better in reducing the pain in the area around the bulging disc. Regarding light exercise, walking, stretching, low impact aerobics, and swimming are great exercise for lower back pain in Tampa. 

Using the non surgical remedies for middle back pain can let a patient get relief from pain caused by a bulging disc. However, if a patient has been experiencing the pain for quite some time, it would be better for him to visit a chronic pain management center that can help him deal with his back and joint pain in Tampa. Because pain can also cause lightheadedness in a patient, it is also advisable to enroll in a fall prevention program in Pinellas County for safety.

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