The intervertebral discs are spongy cushions found between the vertebrae in the spine. As we age, these discs dry out and harden, making them more prone to injury. The term “slipped disc” is misleading so instead you will hear your Osteopath say disc bulge. The disc doesn't actually move out of place, but the tough outer fibers of the spinal disc weaken and stretch or tear allowing the “jelly like centre” of the disc to bulge outwards. A disc bulge is the first step to a more serious disc herniation and then prolapse. A herniated disc may put pressure on or “pinch” the spinal nerves as they exit the vertebra, this will often cause initial symptoms of pain referred down the leg(s) or arm(s) depending on spinal level of disc injury.
How do I know if I have a disc bulge or not? Often a disc bulge will have no symptoms at all. In more serious cases you may experience pain down one or both of your legs often called “sciatica”. You may experience anything from dull or sharp pain, numbness, tingling or weakness down the leg and sometimes into the foot. You can also experience local moderate to severe low back pain. Typically these symptoms will appear suddenly after you may have lifted something heavy or twisted in an awkward manner.
Is it serious? Yes and No. The diagnosis of a disc bulge/herniation is not one to be taken lightly. This is because it is really important that you look after the way you move and lift things so that the less serious bulge does not progress to a prolapsed disc. The most important thing to remember is that you can recover from the low back and leg pain cause by a disc herniation as a lot of the initial symptoms are a result of inflammation to the new site of injury. Remember you cannot actually push the contents of that disc back in. A herniated disc is generally considered to be more serious than a disc bulge and a prolapse is more serious again.
What will my Osteopath do to help treat a disc bulge? Like other types of back pain a disc bulge is the result of what is going on in the rest of the body and the pressure being built up around the disc due to muscle and joint imbalances. This is where ongoing Osteopathic management and maintenance treatments are important. Disc bulges are quite a common problem diagnosed and treated by Osteopaths. Normal treatment would include rest from aggravating activity and a specifically tailored hands on and strengthening/stretching treatment aimed to mobilise the surrounding areas. We are aiming to loosen the muscles and to work to take pressure away from the herniated disc. As pressure within the disc is reduced the “pinch” on the spinal nerves is reduced which drastically reduces the pain and it also allows oxygen and nutrients to flow to the injured disc acting to aid in the healing process.
The intervertebral discs are spongy cushions found between the vertebrae in the spine. As we age, these discs dry out and harden, making them more prone to injury. The term “slipped disc” is misleading so instead you will hear your Osteopath say disc bulge. The disc doesn't actually move out of place, but the tough outer fibers of the spinal disc weaken and stretch or tear allowing the “jelly like centre” of the disc to bulge outwards. A disc bulge is the first step to a more serious disc herniation and then prolapse. A herniated disc may put pressure on or “pinch” the spinal nerves as they exit the vertebra, this will often cause initial symptoms of pain referred down the leg(s) or arm(s) depending on spinal level of disc injury.