Do You Have a Bulging Disc?
By Sara Butler
So, you’ve got back pain. It’s probably the reason you’re going to see your chiropractor at The Joint, in order to see what can be done about this pain that may be interfering with your everyday life. If this sounds like you, rest assured you’re not alone. Quite often, the source of back pain can be traced back to a problem in your spine. You may be having difficulty due to something called a bulging disc, but what is it and how can your chiropractor help?
What is a Bulging Disc?
The bones in your spine are stacked one on top of the other, from your neck to your tailbone. Between the bones are soft discs that help to cushion the bones and keep your spine mobile. As you age, the discs between the spinal bones become less flexible, making them more susceptible to injury – an injury just like a bulging disc. Basically, one of the walls of this donut-like disc has weakened and the soft inner core of the disc is pushing out, causing a bulge. This can press on the nerves that exit your spinal canal right next to the discs and cause quite a lot of pain.
What Can You Do
There are several things you can do to help keep your spinal discs healthy as you age and avoid bulging or herniation. You can:
- Maintain a healthy weight – Extra weight puts pressure on your skeleton, including your spine. This is especially important as you age since it’s more difficult to maintain muscle and keep your metabolism up after the age of 40.
- Exercise – A great way to maintain a healthy weight is to get your body moving. You should try to do moderate exercise at least 30 minutes a day in order to help keep your body and spine flexible, build muscle, and burn calories. Walking is a great way to exercise.
- Practice good posture – If you spend a lot of your day sitting, it’s important to work on your posture. Take a break every 30 minutes or so to get up and stretch.
What Your Chiropractor Can Do
Your chiropractor can help pinpoint the reason for your back pain, and if they find that you do have a bulging disc, then they can begin treatment to help you find relief. They will do an exam and realign your spine, helping to take some of the pressure off your spinal discs and restore normal range of motion.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.