These names are used interchangeably, which can cause a lot of confusion, but all of them can irritate the nerve and cause back pain. Although these spine conditions can be very painful, many people recover after a few weeks or months with nonsurgical treatment. The spine is comprised of small bones called vertebrae. These are stacked on top of each other and form the natural curves in your spine. The vertebrae provide a protective layer for the spinal cord and nerves.
Between each set of vertebrae, there are small, round discs that act as a cushion between the vertebrae. Each disc has a jelly-like center nucleus that is surrounded by a tough outer ring annulus. If this occurs in the low back lumbar spine , it can put pressure on the nerve root leading to pain in the buttocks, legs, and feet.
Penn Musculoskeletal and Rheumatology Blog. You've probably heard the terms bulging disc and herniated disc before. And, chances are, you know they both have to do with something in your spine. You probably know both can be painful, too — but are they the same thing? In a word: Nope. While they both affect the discs in your spine, bulging discs and herniated discs are not two terms for the same condition, explains Harvey E. Smith, MD , Penn Medicine physician and orthopaedic surgeon.
Smith: Your spine is made up of bones called vertebrae and rubbery discs stacked on top of one another, forming the spinal canal. The bundle of nerves called the spinal cord ru n down the length of the spinal canal. The discs in your spine function like shock absorbers between the vertebrae. These discs are made of two components: a softer center called nucleus pulposus surrounded by a tough elastic-like band called annulus fibrosus.
Because tai chi involves very slow and gentle movements, it can provide temporary pain relief when recovering from a herniated or bulging disc. As well as helping to relax the body and ease tension and anxiety, tai chi also improves blood circulation, which helps the body to release endorphins — natural painkillers. Yes, a bulging disc can become a herniated disc.
If you have a bulging disc, you may experience few or no symptoms. However, if the bulge worsens symptoms will become more noticeable as it reaches the stage where it is near or at herniation. If you have a herniated disc, you may find that the most comfortable way to sleep is on your side in the fetal position. To achieve the position, you should lie on your back then gently roll over onto your side and slowly pull your knees to your chest. Symptoms of a herniated disc may resolve over time, but it could take several months.
If you are still feeling pain, tingling and numbness after a month of nonsurgical treatment, you should talk to our doctors about surgical options. Usually, your symptoms will resolve in weeks. If you are still feeling pain, tingling and numbness after this time, you should talk to our doctor about surgical options.
In some patients with a herniated disc, symptoms may return after surgery. Rest, excercise, and healthy habits will help reduce the risk of injury. There are many non-surgical options for treating a herniated disc.
However, if the disc rupture is causing severe pain due to a compressed nerve, or if the disc needs to be removed, surgery is the best option.
Typically a herniated or bulging disc will resolve over time, but if you have a compressed nerve that is left untreated, this can, in some cases, cause paralysis or urinary and bowel incontinence. To diagnose or to treat a herniated disc please call us at Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. The Difference Between Bulging Disc and Herniated Disc Before we dive into the details of a bulging disc and herniated disc is important to understand the basics of the spine and disc anatomy.
The spine is comprised of 33 bones which are divided into three major sections: Cervical : seven vertebrae that form the neck Thoracic : twelve vertebrae that form the upper and mid-back Lumbar : five vertebrae that form the lower back Each vertebra is separated by a fibrous intervertebral disc IVD which is made up two parts: Nucleus pulposus : This is the jelly-like inner core of the disc.
Its elasticity allows each disc to act as a shock absorber for the spine. Annulus fibrosus : The annulus is made up of seven to 15 layers of fibers surrounding and protecting the nucleus. Regions of the Spine. Normal Disc. Bulging Disc vs Herniated Disc. I like to describe to patients a "bulging disc" is something to a car tire that loses its air pressure.
If you can imagine if your car tire is full of air, the sidewalls of a car tire is nice and flat and straight. But what happens when you lose air in that tire? With enough air leaking out of the tire, you'll start seeing the sidewalls start to bulge out. To me, that is the bulging disc. The bulging disc is the sidewall of the disc starting to bulge out because there's lack of water pressure inside the disc to hold that wall nice and straight, just like a car tire. A "slipped disc" can be a bulged disc, or a herniated disc, but what that describes is when the disc starts to degenerate, it no longer can perform that function of a ligament, which is to hold the bones on top of each other in a uniform manner.
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