How painful can a bulging disc be?

How painful can a bulging disc be?

Most commonly, bulging discs create pressure points on nearby nerves which create a variety of sensations. Evidence of a bulging disc may range from mild tingling and numbness to moderate or severe pain, depending on the severity. In most cases, when a bulging disc has reached this stage it is near or at herniation.

Can a bulging disc cause severe pain?

Understanding Disc Herniations If disc material herniates, or squeezes out, this can put pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This can cause severe pain in the path of the nerve being pinched. Pressure against the nerve root from a herniated disc can cause numbness and weakness along the nerve.

Is it common to have multiple bulging discs?

First, it is quite common to have multiple herniated discs in the lumbar spine. In studies of people who were not experiencing back pain, many had disc herniations that caused no pain symptoms. Second, the term “disc herniation” is very broad, and can describe mild bulges to extreme protrusions that cause pain.

How long can bulging disc pain last?

Self care: In most cases, the pain from a herniated disc will get better within a couple days and completely resolve in 4 to 6 weeks. Restricting your activity, ice/heat therapy, and taking over the counter medications will help your recovery.

How long will I be off work with a bulging disc?

You need to fully heal before returning to exercise or a physically strenuous job, usually a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. However, if you have a herniated disc that needs surgery and also have a physical job, chances are that the disc would cost you much more than a few weeks in lost wages in the long run.

When does a bulging disc need surgery?

Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.

Can a chiropractor fix a bulging disc?

Yes! Chiropractic care is the preferred treatment method for many patients suffering from a bulging disc. It is non-invasive and does not require drugs or injections of any kind. Chiropractic can help provide you with improved mobility, decreased pain, and overall better quality of life.

How long does it take for a bulging disc to reabsorb?

The average amount of time it takes for a herniated disk to heal is four to six weeks, but it can get better within a few days depending on how severe the herniation was and where it occurred.

Are bulging disc permanent?

One of the most significant complications of a bulging disc is permanent nerve damage. Without treatment, compressed nerve roots in the spine can be permanently damaged, leading to chronic pain, weakness, and loss of sensation.

Should I go to work with a bulging disc?

Severe pain that originates in the back can radiate down the legs and limit your ability to walk or stand significantly. If you experience numbness and tingling, that can also impact your ability to do normal tasks, such as bathing or dressing yourself, let alone work.

How long does it take to recover from bulging disc surgery?

Most people return to work within about a week, and make a full recovery in about 6 weeks. To minimize your recovery time from any surgery, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations following surgery.

What kind of surgery is done for bulging disc?

Discectomy is the most common surgery used for herniated disc in the lumbar region. In this procedure, the portion of the disc that is causing the pressure on your nerve root is removed. In some cases, the entire disc is removed. The surgeon will access the disc through an incision in your back (or neck).

Can a bulging disc cause no pain at all?

If a bulging disc has not yet reached the stage of herniation, a patient may have little to no pain involved. A bulging disc may have no pain at all because it has not reached a certain severity level, and this can make it difficult to identify the bulging disc symptoms before the condition becomes more severe.

Can a bulging disc in the neck be a herniation?

Stress and tension have been found in the neck even if it isn’t in the form of a herniation, but a bulging disc would produce significantly different symptoms. If you have pain mainly in your neck, wrists, or hands, you may have a herniated discs.

How long does it take for a bulging disc to heal?

( 2 ) Luckily for many people, disc problems heal within several months (sometimes as little as within one month) and pain will subside, especially if you take steps to lower swelling and inflammation. On the other hand, for some people pain can linger on for many months or come and go.

Are there any natural treatments for bulging discs?

Chiropractic adjustments have been well-researched for treating symptoms of bulging discs, including sciatic nerve pain, stiff neck and chronic lower back pain.