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Herniated, Ruptured and Bulging Discs. Are They the Same and How Are They Treated?

When medical professionals talk about a ‘hernia’, they are generally referring to the
protrusion of an organ beyond the cavity, which normally contains it. Such a condition can
also involve the discs in your spine. A spinal disc serves as a cushion between two
vertebrae. If the outer part of the disc degenerates, the inner portion can rupture or bulge.
This bulging is called a herniated disc.

In some cases, herniated discs can recover without any intervention or through medical
treatment. If the problem continues and the sufferer finds themselves still in pain after two
weeks, a medical professional should be contacted.

What are the most frequent causes of disc herniation?

The pain from a herniated disc can appear entirely random and sometimes arrives
completely out of the blue. However, the damage is usually the result of a gradual process.
The spinal discs in children contain a lot of water, which is why kids spines are extremely
flexible. By the time we’re adults, our discs have begun to dry out. They become brittle and
vulnerable to cracks and tears from relatively mild movements.

Working in jobs that are physically demanding, lifting weights to keep fit, picking up a bag
of shopping from the floor, a misjudged swing of a golf club or even something as
mundane as turning to get in the car can cause a disc to herniate.

The people most at risk are between the ages of 35 and 50, with 50% more men suffering
from the condition as women. Other, less common causes of disc herniation are accidents
or injuries, which can put so much pressure on the lower back that a disc herniates.

What are the best non-surgical treatments for disc herniation?

For millions of sufferers all around the world, physical therapy has played a major role in
the treatment of herniated discs. The methods used do not only bring about immediate
pain relief, but they can also teach and condition the body to learn how to avoid such
injuries in the future.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the level of pain and some other important
factors, treatment for a herniated disc can include the following methods:

 Deep tissue massage
 Hot and cold therapy
 Hydrotherapy
 Microcurrent Point Stimulation
 Traction

Besides these treatments, a good physiotherapist will teach the patient exercises to
strengthen the back and to make the return of the condition far less probable. The patient
learns self-care principles to understand better how they can treat their own symptoms.
Plus, they learn the importance of continuing the exercises after the treatment has been
concluded.

If you’re living with the pain of disc herniation, call us today at (281-888- 0047) for a phone
consultation or book an appointment for a discovery visit. We can help you get fast relief
from a herniated disc, and we’ll work with you to ensure you’re far less likely to contract the
condition in the future.

For some easy tips you can use right now to start easing your back pain, click the link to
download my free back pain guide: https://www.nextlevelpthouston.com/back-pain.html

AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Wong

Next Level Physical Therapy

"We Help People Age 40+ Stay Active, Healthy & Mobile Without Relying On Pain Meds, Injections Or Surgery"




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