The human spine is a solid, stable, and durable structure consisting of vertebrae and their intervertebral discs. Painful conditions including bulging discs can occur, however, for numerous reasons including trauma and age. The result is chronic pain in the neck or back that can debilitate an individual's quality of life.
The disc requires medical intervention, but surgery is not necessarily an immediate response for a bulging disc. Conservative treatment including reaching out to find relief and recovery through personalized chiropractic care is usually recommended before taking that step.
Chiropractic treatment is a gradual process that works to heal bulging discs, with the duration of treatment depending on the individual and the severity of the condition.
Many people can see some relief following a session; however, a full recovery will take a few months, usually roughly 12 weeks, before re-engaging in strenuous activities.
We'll examine bulging discs more in-depth and how conservative chiropractic care can relieve the symptoms to see improvements in mobility and function and avoid the need for heavy pain meds.
Understanding Bulging Discs
The vertebrae within the spinal column support the musculoskeletal system, protecting the body from injury while allowing flexibility in performing essential movements. The intervertebral discs act as cushioning between the vertebrae, absorbing any impact or pressure.
When the disc slips from its original placement along the spine, it protrudes or results in a bulging disc. The intervertebral disk consists of a solid outer layer with a "spongy" inner material.
This inner nucleus erupts from the spinal disc driving it out of its natural placement. When a disc protrudes this way, it can result in nerve roots being pinched and symptoms of exceptional pain.
Numerous factors can contribute to a disc protrusion, including excessive wear and tear, such as constant and improper heavy lifting; middle age sees a higher incidence of changes and abnormalities within the discs; trauma from personal injuries like car crashes; and other factors like genetics, obesity, and being routinely sedentary.
Relieving Bulging Discs Through Chiropractic Care
Alleviating the symptoms from a bulging disc doesn't immediately imply a need for meds or injections, or surgical intervention. Conservative, noninvasive treatment including chiropractic sessions proves effective in alleviating symptoms and treating musculoskeletal issues including bulging discs.
A chiropractor adjusts the discs and the spine using gentle movements to encourage returning to the original position. Chiropractic treatment addresses the underlying cause, helping to bring lasting relief and restore range of motion.
Once the practitioner determines the diagnosis and evaluates muscle strength/tone, the professional will develop a care plan that could incorporate some of the following techniques:
Flexion-Distraction
The flexion-distraction technique is among the most effective adjustments under chiropractic care. This involves a gentle pumping force being applied rhythmically to the spine while in lying.
Spinal adjustments boast being effective for reducing pain symptoms and improving a patient's mobility when suffering from disc degeneration. Studies performed in 2021 on flexion-distraction indicated the manipulation was immediately effective in patients.
Spinal decompression
Chiropractors further employ spinal decompression as an effective modality to manage protruding discs. Decompression culminates to the disc ultimately being returned to its original position.
The technique relieves pressure from the pinched nerves, and stretching the spine offers the patient instant pain relief with the potential for recovery.
It's important to remember that surgical intervention is a must in some severe cases of bulging or protrusion of the disc. The precursor, however, will be seeing the chiropractor for an initial assessment and a final decision on pursuing an invasive intervention.
How Long Before Chiropractic Treatment Fixes a Bulging Disc
Numerous variables contribute to the duration at which a bulging disc heals. The recovery time can be impacted by the protrusion's position. Other factors include the individual's propensity for smoking or alcohol and the patient's level of activity.
People living a relatively sedentary life and smokers experience delayed responses to treatment. Additionally, underlying comorbidities such as diabetes will increase swelling and inflammation leading to a slower healing process.
In that same vein, patients seeking bulging disc treatment with a chiropractic clinic will receive an effective, noninvasive care plan that reduces reliance on pharmaceuticals and can prevent the need for more invasive interventions, including surgery.
Final Thought
Despite the variables, a complete recovery is possible within a several-month time frame, depending on the severity of the condition. It can take roughly 12 weeks before a patient can re-engage in strenuous activities while the disc is being repaired.
Patients can often taper pain med dosages following a few days noting improvements in mobility and function allowing a return to activities of daily living, particularly walking comfortably.
Visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1529943005008338 to find research showing the improvements in significant disc protrusion with a personalized chiropractic care plan with no adverse effects.
It's important to remember that a bulging disc won't subside in the blink. The care regimen requires time and patience for the best result.
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