disc bulge

A bulged disc is a common spinal injury. It can occur in your lumbar spine (lower back), thoracic spine (upper and mid back) or your cervical spine (neck).
A bulging disc can commonly be referred to as a slipped disc or a protruding disc. However, when the disc bulge is significant enough for the disc nucleus to come out of the annulus, it is known as a herniated disc. 
A herniated disc can present in two ways, the nucealus can either be spill out on the side of the vertebrae (Lateral canal stenosis) or at the back of the vertebrae (central cancal stenosis). Once our chiropractors have finished their examination, they will be able to distinguish between the two.
Symptoms:

• Low back pain 
• Referred or shooting pain down your  or arms either unilateral or bilateral. 
• Neck stiffness 
• Pain is great when bending forward or side to side. 

Causes

• Repetitive Microtrauma (overweight, poor posture etc) 
• Sudden unexpected load 
• Genetic factors 
• Type of occupation 

Please note: If you have the following symptoms please contact your medical professional immediately. 

• Severe or progressive bilateral neurological deficits of the leg such as unable to strighthen  your leg or pointing your toes up or down
• Recent onset urinary retention or urinary incontinence
• Resent onset faecal incontinence or unable to feel your leg
• Unexpected laxity of the anal sphincter

​Treatment: 

This injury is commonly seen at a chiropractic clinic.

Our Chiropractors will assess the lower back pain with a detailed history, followed up by a postural, neurological and orthopaedic testing to eliminate any neurological changes. ​

Our chiropractors will then discuss the reasoning behind the lower back pain, and once determined safe, our chiropractor will use a series of treatments which includes but is not limited to gentle spinal manipulations, soft tissues treatment, muscle rehab and corrective exercises.

Research:

1. Leemann, Serafin et al. "Outcomes Of Acute And Chronic Patients With Magnetic Resonance Imaging–Confirmed Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniations Receiving High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude, Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study With One-Year Follow-Up". N.p., 2017. Print.