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By Patrick Foote
With professional supervision, incorporating exercises into a treatment plan can help ease pain caused by a bulging disc in your lower back. It may seem counterproductive to exercise when suffering with a bulging disc, particularly if you are in a lot of discomfort, but the right kind of activity can provide several benefits.
Benefits
Not only is exercise good for your overall health, low impact exercises also can help treat a bulging disc in your lower back by increasing your blood flow. The blood carries vital healing nutrients, oxygen, and water to the tissues and organs of the body, and removes toxins from damaged areas. Even though intervertebral discs do not receive a direct blood supply, exercise can help pump (alternately compress and decompress) the discs, thus enhancing the natural process of diffusion that replenishes the oxygen and nutrients stored at the center of each disc. Additionally, strengthening and balancing the core (abdomen and back) muscles will help provide better support to the lumbar (lower back) region of the spine and lead to improved posture and body mechanics. Exercising to treat a bulging disc in your lower back can also help you increase spinal flexibility, reduce stress, and ease muscle tension. Be sure to consult with your doctor before you start any exercise plan.
Types of Low Impact Exercises
There are many low impact exercises that a doctor or physical therapist may recommend as part of your bulging disc treatment regimen, including:
— Swimming – buoyancy in the water removes gravitational stresses placed on the spine when walking or standing.
— Stretching – yoga, tai chi, and Pilates are known for their great stretching techniques that can help ease lower back pain.
— Bouncing on a therapy ball – this helps to pump the intervertebral discs in the spine, increasing oxygen and healing nutrients
As one of the easiest exercises to complete, simply walking for 20 to 30 minutes will get blood flowing and strengthen gluteal and leg muscles.
Other Treatments
In addition to exercise, your doctor may also suggest other conservative methods to treat a bulging disc in your lower back. Such methods might include anti-inflammatory medications, rest, hot/cold therapies, massage, or epidural steroid injections. As you research your condition on your own, you might also learn more about alternative treatments like chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, or aromatherapy. It is estimated that, in about 10 percent of bulging disc cases, no conservative or alternative treatments provide relief. For this small percentage of cases, surgery is typically recommended.
Understanding Your Surgical Options
If you are considering surgery to treat a bulging disc in your lower back, you should take the time to thoroughly understand each of the surgical options your doctor presents to you. Don’t be afraid to ask your physician or spine specialist direct questions before you consent to any surgery. You should be 100 percent comfortable with not only the advantages of a particular procedure, but also with any associated risk factors, recovery periods, success rates, and potential lifestyle changes you may face.
About the Author: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for
bulging discs
and several other spinal conditions.
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