The spinal canal is made up of vertebrae stacked with rubbery discs and lined top to bottom with nerves. These discs act as shock absorbers for the spine. Two common injuries associated with back pain are bulging and herniated discs. Often confused as the same condition, each has unique differences in how they affect the body. Here's a closer look at key traits of these spinal injuries and how they can be treated. 

What Are the Differences Between a Bulging and Herniated Disc?

A bulging disc occurs when the outer shell of the spinal disc (annulus fibrosis) becomes weak, allowing the disc to bulge to one side of the spinal canal or the other like a flattened tire. It can affect multiple discs and lead to other disc degeneration-related issues, such as lumbar stenosis. People who have one or more bulging discs experience pain in the buttocks, legs, or back, and it can extend up to the neck, chest, shoulders, arms, or fingers. Difficulty walking is a common complaint as well.

A herniated disc, otherwise known as a slipped disc or prolapsed disc, occurs when the outer shell has a hole or tear that allows the soft center (nucleus pulpous) to leak through into the spinal canal. This condition affects one individual nerve root. 

For this reason, someone with a herniated disc may not even know it if the disc isn't putting pressure on a nerve. When a nerve root is affected, common symptoms include abrupt back pain, typically in the lumbar spine, that can radiate down to the ankles. Numbness or tingling and weakness in the legs are also common. 

How Are These Conditions Caused and Treated?

A bulging disc typically occurs after a spinal injury or as a result of age-related degeneration. Treatments typically involve anti-inflammatory medications or steroid injections for nerve pain. Depending on the state of your condition, you may require targeted physical therapy or surgery if the condition has worsened. 

The causes of a herniated disc are slightly less clear. In some cases, the cause is unknown, and in others, it's caused by twisting incorrectly. It can also be age-related, as spinal discs lose cushioning over time. Treatment for patients with symptoms lasting less than six weeks with no nerve damage may include anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections as needed. An outpatient surgery called microdiscectomy may be utilized to relieve pressure on the affected nerve root.

When residents of St. Charles County, MO, want back pain relief, they turn to O’Fallon Pain Relief Associates. This medical facility provides a range of effective pain management services, which include targeted chiropractic care, goal-oriented physical therapy, and pain medication regimens. This skilled team used a multifaceted approach combining state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and noninvasive treatment options to achieve optimal results. If neck, shoulder, or back pain is keeping you from living the life you deserve, schedule an appointment today by calling (636) 978-3000. For more information about the practice, visit their website.