What You Can Do About Bulging Disc Symptoms
For most patients with a bulging disc, natural treatment options can help to control symptoms and aid in healing. Natural treatment options for a bulging disc include:
1. Rest
It is important to allow your body the time that it needs to heal. Don’t rest or remain inactive for extended periods of time as this can do more harm than good. Additionally, avoid any activities that aggravate your bulging disc symptoms.
2. Physical Therapy
At times your physician will prescribe physical therapy sessions to help with symptom control. A physical therapist will teach you exercises and stretches which can help with things such as strengthening your core muscles, helping to increase your flexibility, and avoiding disc re-injury.
3. Heat and Ice Therapy
A combination of heat and ice therapy can be useful to help relieve pain and aid in healing. For example, heat therapy increases circulation and soothes sore muscles. Ice therapy helps to reduce swelling and inflammation as well as pain. Your physical therapist or physician can recommend the best rotation of these therapies for your bulging disc.
4. Exercise and Stretching
It is important to stay active and maintain healthy body weight. Low-impact aerobic activities such as swimming, walking, biking, elliptical training, or yoga are all activities that keep you moving while avoiding high impact, contact, or disc re-injury.
5. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Moreover, one way to help control inflammation in the body and relieve bulging disc symptoms is to eat an anti-inflammatory diet. This type of diet is nutrient-dense and avoids processed foods. Consider foods such as leafy green vegetables, fresh fruit, lean protein, healthy fats, and whole grains. All these foods can help you avoid inflammation that fuels neck and back pain.
6. Alternative and Complementary Treatment
Many patients find unsuccessful symptom relief with alternative and complementary treatment options such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, yoga, massage therapy, and essential oils.
In addition to the six natural bulging disc treatments you can do at home, your physician may also encourage you to make lifestyle modifications such as losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, or avoiding participation in contact sports. All these lifestyle factors, if modified, can help to improve the symptoms of your bulging disc.
When Natural Bulgin Disc Remedies Aren’t Enough
If you have tried the natural bulging disc treatment options for a few months, and you find that the symptoms are still interfering with your everyday life, minimally invasive surgical options may be the next step.
BEST Health System’s minimally invasive procedures allow patients to have a safer and more effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery. For more information and to find out if you are a candidate for one of our minimally invasive spine procedures, contact BEST Health System today.
