If you have just been diagnosed with a bulging disc, you may be concerned that the only bulging disc treatment available to you is surgery. However, most patients are able to avoid spine surgery. Opting for a number of conservative bulging disc treatment options is the first option for you. Conservative treatment can include pain medication, physical therapy, and other nonsurgical remedies to ease the pain of this condition.
Alternative Bulging Disc Treatment
As you begin to research the treatment options available to you, be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor. With them, you can discuss the best methods of pain relief for your specific condition and lifestyle. The three most common alternative bulging disc treatment options include:
1. Pain Medication
This is the most common method of conservative bulging disc treatment. The pain associated with this condition is caused by a never that has been pinched or compressed by the damaged disc. Pain medication helps to relieve this pain by blocking the signals sent from the pinched nerve to the brain and other areas of the body.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is another common method of treatment. Often this condition develops as the core muscles in the spine weaken. The reason they weaken is that most of the body’s weight is placed on the spine. This can lead to a bulging disc and other degenerative spine conditions. Physical therapy helps strengthen the core muscles in order to relieve pressure on the bulging disc and subsequently the pinched nerve.
3. Weight Loss
Many times, a bulging disc can develop from too much weight affecting the spine. In some cases, a weight loss program is an effective method of treatment. Your doctor can recommend a diet and exercise plan to help you lose weight and relieve pressure on the damaged disc and pinched nerve in your spine.
What BEST Can Do
In some cases, conservative treatment does not fully relieve the symptoms of this condition. If you are still suffering from pain after several months, you will become a candidate for bulging disc surgery. At BEST Health System, we offer minimally invasive spine procedures performed by our board-certified surgeons, Dr. Girton and Dr. Abbott. Minimally invasive surgery is a much better alternative to traditional open spine surgery. It offers a lower risk of complication and a shorter recovery time while also eliminating the need for an overnight hospital stay.
Contact us today to find out if you are a candidate for one of our minimally invasive spine surgeries.
