Can a Bulging Disc Turn into a Herniated Disc?

In between the bones of your spine, the vertebrae, are the shock absorbers of the spine – the discs. Acting as cushions between the vertebrae, they are composed of cartilage. The outer layer of cartilage is tough, with a softer center like a hard candy. These doughnut-shaped rings of cartilage exist between each vertebra of the spine. Damage to these discs can be exquisitely painful, but in others, it cannot be detected without imaging such as an MRI.

Is a Bulging Disc Worse Than a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured disc or slipped disc, is the more severe of the two conditions.

A bulging disc occurs when the annulus, or outer layer, of the disc loses flexibility and begins to bulge outward. This bulge causes pain when it presses on the nerves around it. Only the strong cartilage of the outer layer is affected.

A herniated disc occurs when the outer layer of cartilage cracks, allowing the softer inner cartilage to stick out through the opening. Slipped discs are more prone to causing pain because when the inner cartilage slips out, it can aggravate the roots of the nerves either through direct pressure or by causing inflammation in the root of the nerve.

An untreated bulging disc can worsen and become a herniated disc, so if you suspect either, make an appointment to get diagnosed.

Can a Chiropractor Help with a Bulging Disc?

Chiropractic procedures realign the spine, which can reduce nerve compression and the pain that accompanies it. At Total Chiropractic Care, we have extensive experience with treating herniated discs and bulging discs. Gentle spinal adjustments can drastically improve your quality of life in these cases.

What Should You Not Do with a Bulging Disc?

There are a number of common household activities or daily actions that can aggravate the discomfort of a bulging disc. Generally, any activity involving bending, rotating, twisting, or lifting movements falls into this category. Some common things to avoid include:

• Sitting too much. This increases the pressure on your spinal discs.
• Doing laundry. Twisting, folding, reaching to hang things, and carrying heavy baskets of clothes can all put uncomfortable stress on the spine.
• Vacuuming involves repeated pushing, twisting, and pulling motions that put stress on the spine.
• Bending down to feed pets causes stress to the spine. Try kneeling down to do it.
• Shoveling snow and gardening both involved heavy lifting as well as twisting and bending motions.
• Strenuous exercise such as running or jogging, golf, tennis, squats, weightlifting, and similar activities.
• Heavy lifting puts significant pressure on your lumbar discs.

Total Chiropractic Care Can Relieve Your Back Pain

Whether your back pain is caused by a bulging disc, a herniated disc, or some other cause, Total Chiropractic Care’s holistic approach provides the best chance of lasting relief. Our team will work directly with your diagnosis and in developing a custom treatment plan designed specifically for your individual case. Don’t let back pain slow you down, contact us today!