I work with a lot of patients who have back pain, and when I say a lot, I mean a LOT. When it comes to pain, it’s probably the most common type I treat. In some cases, their back pain comes from problems with one or more discs. Often a patient will come to me with a diagnosis of a bulging disc or a herniated disc, and most of the time, the patient isn’t clear as to exactly what that means. In this post, I answer some of the most frequently asked questions that I get about disc conditions.
Q: First of all, what exactly is a disc?
A: Good question! Discs are flat, round cushions made of cartilage. They’re found between each of the bones in your spine (vertebrae). Discs consist of an outer layer of tough cartilage, which encloses a core of softer cartilage. The structure of your discs makes it a good shock absorber, but they also protect your spinal cord and give your spine flexibility.
Q: So, what goes wrong with discs?
A: Throughout your life, your discs take a lot of punishment. With age, they can dry out, become less flexible, and begin to compress and flatten. These changes in a disc are what causes them to bulge or become herniated.
Q: What’s the difference between a bulging disc and one that’s herniated?
A: One difference is severity. When a disc becomes flattened or compressed on one side, part of the tough fibrous outer layer can begin to expand into the spinal canal. This is called a bulging disc.
A herniated disc occurs in one of two ways. One is when the tough outer layer of the disc becomes so flattened and thin that a large portion of the inner core is pushed out of the disc and into the spinal canal. The other is when a hole or crack in the outer layer allows a large part of the inner core to get into the spinal canal. A herniated disc is also sometimes called a slipped disc or a ruptured disc.
Q: What causes a disc to bulge or herniate?
A: Age is definitely a factor, simply because of the years of wear and tear on your discs that occurs over time. Other things that can raise your risk of disc issues include poor posture, repetitive strain on your spine or an injury to the spine.
Q: Are there differences in the symptoms between a disc that’s bulging and one that’s herniated?
A: Both conditions can cause back pain, pain radiating down your leg, numbness and tingling, and poor range of motion. That said, it’s more likely that a herniated disc will cause more severe symptoms; due to nerve compression, irritation and structural changes. That’s because a bulging disc frequently affects only part of the disc, and the inner core of the disc is not affected. In contrast, a herniated disc means that part of the inner core has escaped and has migrated out of the space where it should be. Interestingly, it’s possible to have no adverse symptoms with a bulging or herniated disc, but a lack of symptoms is more common with a bulging disc.
Q: How are disc problems diagnosed?
A: The only way to clearly diagnose a bulging or herniated disc is through an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). In some cases, a bulging or herniated disc may show up on an MRI, but not actually be the source of your pain.
Q: What are the treatments for disc problems?
A: Treatment for a bulging disc tends to involve more conservative measures, such as physical therapy, muscle strengthening exercises, pain relief medications and modifying your daily activities. Treatment for a herniated disc may involve pain medications, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. In the majority of cases, both bulging and herniated discs calm down after a period of time. However, when standard treatments don’t work, surgery is an option. There are several rehab movements you can do to improve your symptoms and the disc bulge.
Q: Can acupuncture help with disc pain and symptoms.
A: I’m glad you asked! There’s a great deal of research that acupuncture treatments can provide relief for patients experiencing disc herniations. In fact, an analysis of 30 research studies concluded that acupuncture was more effective in reducing disc symptoms than traction, anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids.
Acupuncture works to reduce inflammation in the area where the needles are placed, increase the circulation of blood and healing nutrients to the area, inhibit chemicals that promote inflammation and increase the circulation of certain neurotransmitters that reduce pain. Acupuncture can also help calm and relax the muscles in the area so the joint space allows the disc to move back into it’s normal place.
When I’m working with a patient who is experiencing disc pain, I may add electro acupuncture to their treatment. It involves adding a painless electric current to the acupuncture needles in the affected area through the use of a small device. This gently stimulates the needles to enhance the effects of the acupuncture treatment and helps the surrounding tissue relax. I also like to use cold laser therapy on disc herniations and bulges to speed the healing process. The light therapy gives the cells energy to heal more quickly.
If you are experiencing disc pain or related symptoms and would like to know more about how acupuncture can help you become pain free and get your life back, please give me a call.
Click here for a free 15-minute consultation!
Dr. Jeda Boughton is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Registered Acupuncturist in Vancouver. She is also a Registered Herbologist and the founder of BodaHealth.
