A bulging disc causing lower back pain is more common than any other bulging disc problem. Medical experts have determined that 90% of all bulging discs and their associated pain occur in the lower back.
But, that’s not surprising since the lower back, or lumbar region, supports most of our bodily weight and is used in so many of our everyday movements, including sitting, standing, walking, and running. Additionally, we often rely on the weight-bearing ability of our lower backs when we perform heavy lifting.
As a result, many back conditions develop from wear and tear on the lower back, including a lumbar bulging disc or discs. This condition most often occurs because intervertebral discs can grow weak and lose their elasticity with age, use, and/or injury. When this happens, discs may collapse and “bulge,” or protrude, into the tiny spaces in the spinal canal where nerve roots and the spinal cord are located. As nerve tissue is inflamed and compressed by bulging discs, reactive nerve signals result in feelings of pain, numbness, and tingling. This pain and discomfort can be localized at the site of the nerve root or it can radiate to other parts of the body, including the hips, legs, buttocks, or even the feet.
No matter what has caused your bulging disc, if it is causing lower back pain, it probably requires treatment. Some bulging disc treatments include:
- Rest, physical therapy, low-impact exercise, or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
- Chiropractic treatment
- Epidural steroidal injections
- Open-back surgery
- Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures offered by Laser Spine Institute (LSI), including laminotomy and percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.
If a doctor determines that a bulging disc is causing your lower back pain and other treatments have failed to offer relief, you may want to discuss your treatment options with Laser Spine Institute. Contact us today to learn more about our gentle outpatient procedures. We will be happy to review your MRI or CT scan free of charge.
