Wei Laboratories, Inc.
| ........................................................................................................................... |
| Toll Free: 888.919.1188 International 408.970.8700 |
| Email: wei@weilab.com |
What Is Bulging Disc?[1]
"Bulging disc also known as a Contained Spinal Disorder, is a condition that occurs
usually in spinal or lumbar region, lower back and in few cases witnessing with neck
region. It commonly occurs as the human body ages and with the increase in age
degeneration of inter vertebral disc occurs. Discs are soft material that engulfs the
vertebrae of spinal chord and provides a cushioning support. When the disc moves out of
its normal location or radius bulging disk occurs.
To understand the phenomenon of bulging disk, we have to understand the anatomy and
physiology of intervertebral disc.
Intervertebral Disc
Spinal chord is encased by spine made up of intervertebral discs whose primary function
is supporting the body weight. The repeated daily stress over time results in degeneration
of the disc. Each vertebra of a spine contains intervertebral disc. The stress of every day
movements is transferred to these discs. They act as shock absorbers to absorb any kind
of impact and provide a cushioning support.
A healthy intervertebral disc contains a great amount of water in its center known as
nucleus pulposus. This water content provides a spongy behavior to disc. An excessive
pressure or injury can be harmful for the structure of outer ring of ligament covering
nucleus pulposus. This ligament is better known as annulus.
Pathology and Mechanism
Because of aging factor the scars received by annulus over time lead to small cracks to
this ligament and make it weaker. Eventually this leads harm to nucleus pulposus and it
starts loosing its water content. Due to the loss of water content, intervertebral disc starts
loosing its spongy nature and degeneration occurs. This leads to further development of
cracks due to increased impact and more loss of water. So the cushion effect diminishes
and spine can’t absorb stress any more.
The space between two intervertebral discs decreases, even collapses which results in
the movement of two adjoining disc to come closer. Because of this movement, there is a
considerable shift in location of facet joints at the back of spine. Bone spurs by activities
of osteophytes which began to accumulate around the disc spaces and facet joints. This
spurring process is a natural response by spine to reduce the excessive motion of that
typical segment of spine.
Pathologically, this condition is known as Bulging Disc. When this bones spurs start
growing towards spinal canal, exerting and protruding pressure on spinal nerve, the
condition become much more painful. This condition is also known as spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
In case of bulging disc, the nature of the symptoms usually depends upon the precise
location of the affected intervertebral disc in the spine. Person may suffer pain and
discomfort in their legs and hips if disc at lower back is affected while others may suffer
such pain in arms if the intervertebral disc is located near shoulder region in upper back.
The symptoms from this degenerating disc include discogenic pain.
Diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans and X-rays can confirm the presence of
bulging disk. The diagnosis is made only after getting or identifying the complete case
history by the physicians. Here X-rays can be used to confirm that the intervertebral disc
space has been decrease. MRI tests are carried out to decide a loss of water content in
the intervertebral disc.
Treatment
The treatment of bulging disc can be of following types.
Alternative Medicine[3]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does
not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[4]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please
contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] Buzzle.com
[2] San Francisco Injury Lawyer
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp.
7. ISBN 1565656261.
"Bulging disc also known as a Contained Spinal Disorder, is a condition that occurs
usually in spinal or lumbar region, lower back and in few cases witnessing with neck
region. It commonly occurs as the human body ages and with the increase in age
degeneration of inter vertebral disc occurs. Discs are soft material that engulfs the
vertebrae of spinal chord and provides a cushioning support. When the disc moves out of
its normal location or radius bulging disk occurs.
To understand the phenomenon of bulging disk, we have to understand the anatomy and
physiology of intervertebral disc.
Intervertebral Disc
Spinal chord is encased by spine made up of intervertebral discs whose primary function
is supporting the body weight. The repeated daily stress over time results in degeneration
of the disc. Each vertebra of a spine contains intervertebral disc. The stress of every day
movements is transferred to these discs. They act as shock absorbers to absorb any kind
of impact and provide a cushioning support.
A healthy intervertebral disc contains a great amount of water in its center known as
nucleus pulposus. This water content provides a spongy behavior to disc. An excessive
pressure or injury can be harmful for the structure of outer ring of ligament covering
nucleus pulposus. This ligament is better known as annulus.
Pathology and Mechanism
Because of aging factor the scars received by annulus over time lead to small cracks to
this ligament and make it weaker. Eventually this leads harm to nucleus pulposus and it
starts loosing its water content. Due to the loss of water content, intervertebral disc starts
loosing its spongy nature and degeneration occurs. This leads to further development of
cracks due to increased impact and more loss of water. So the cushion effect diminishes
and spine can’t absorb stress any more.
The space between two intervertebral discs decreases, even collapses which results in
the movement of two adjoining disc to come closer. Because of this movement, there is a
considerable shift in location of facet joints at the back of spine. Bone spurs by activities
of osteophytes which began to accumulate around the disc spaces and facet joints. This
spurring process is a natural response by spine to reduce the excessive motion of that
typical segment of spine.
Pathologically, this condition is known as Bulging Disc. When this bones spurs start
growing towards spinal canal, exerting and protruding pressure on spinal nerve, the
condition become much more painful. This condition is also known as spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
In case of bulging disc, the nature of the symptoms usually depends upon the precise
location of the affected intervertebral disc in the spine. Person may suffer pain and
discomfort in their legs and hips if disc at lower back is affected while others may suffer
such pain in arms if the intervertebral disc is located near shoulder region in upper back.
The symptoms from this degenerating disc include discogenic pain.
Diagnosis
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scans and X-rays can confirm the presence of
bulging disk. The diagnosis is made only after getting or identifying the complete case
history by the physicians. Here X-rays can be used to confirm that the intervertebral disc
space has been decrease. MRI tests are carried out to decide a loss of water content in
the intervertebral disc.
Treatment
The treatment of bulging disc can be of following types.
- Conservative treatment- According to the assessment of seriousness and severity
of the pain treatment is decided. Some problems need an immediate medical
attention while others do require a plenty of rest with a supplement of anti
inflammatory, analgesic pain killers like cortisones. In some cases, if the protrusion
of disc is much more in the spinal canal then the surgery is required. The treatment
is aimed at making the patient comfortable as quickly as possible, getting him/her
back to normal state in a time bound carefully designed rehabitation program to
reduce further wear and tear of the disc. - Rest – Rest plays the most important role in the treatment of bulging disc. In most of
the cases, a complete, sound rest is what your body is craving for. It is used to
reduce the stress and pressure off your spine. Sometimes a placement of pillow
under knees can help a lot. Although, rest is most important parameter you should
not get stucked with a complete bed rest and should try to return to normal activities
gradually. Rest combined with a small amount of recommended exercises can do
wonder. - Physical Therapy – In most of the cases a physical therapy proves of immense help
in rehabitation program. Workout with an expert physical therapist helps in reducing
inflammation and pain, improving and rebuilding your strength, and returning back
to normal activities with a greater ease. A well rounded physical therapy is aimed at
controlling symptoms, practicing mobility and safe exercises. In case of patient
suffering from back pain gradual physical exercises is the best way to combat the
pain. It also teaches you to maintain a correct posture to offer maximum rest and
less stress to spine. - Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI) – They are used as pain killers. They are of great
help to control inflammation."
Alternative Medicine[3]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does
not fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[4]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please
contact us either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] Buzzle.com
[2] San Francisco Injury Lawyer
[3] Wikipedia
[4] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp.
7. ISBN 1565656261.
| Bulging Disc |
| Click Here |
| To Have a Referral |
