Bulging Disc Surgery - Tips To Avoid ItFirst lets analyze the
source of the painWhere does pain come from? Pain can only arise
from the irritation of an innervated structure orfrom a nerve.The
nucleous pulposus of the disc is not innervated, so it cannot be
the source of pain.However, it can precipitate pain if it irritates
an innervated elementor a nerve root. This occurs when the nucleous
bulges and impartstension to the annular fibers (these ones are
innervated) or the nerve root.People feel it in the leg when the
bulging disc irritates the sciatic nerve. This nerve goes down
yourleg to your toes.If you were having symptoms in your arms, that
could indicate a neck herniated/bulged disc.Take a look at the
graphic showing the pressure to the disc.This is to schematize the
following:When a 70 kg person lay supine, the load on the third
lumbar disc is 30 kg.When 30 kg of traction is applied, the load on
the third lumbar disc reduces to 10 kg.Note: "...In conclusion,
lumbar traction is both effective in improving symptomsand clinical
findings in patients with lumbar disc herniation and alsoin
decreasing the size of the herniated disc material as measured
byCT". in: Effect of continuous lumbar traction on the size of
herniated disc material in lumbar discherniation,Bulent Ozturk et
al.When this person is standing up, the pressure is 70 kg.When it
is sitting down, the pressure is 100 kgBilateral full straight-leg
rising increases the pressure to 120 kg (exercise to avoid)Trunk
extension when lying prone increases the pressure to 150 kg
(exercise to avoid)Lifting a 20 kg weight with the back bent and
legs straight increases the pressure to an impressivenumber of 340
kgThink of these facts together with your daily routine: You
probably do the following:Wake up and seat for coffee;Seat in your
car and drive to work;when at work you are working seated at a
computer or doing manual labor that involves assumingbad postures
or lifting weights;After work you seat in your car;When you get
home you seat in a couch and the routine repeats the next
day.Bulging Disc Surgery - You can avoid it!Given the facts above,
there are many reasons for a disc to protrude, but it's much
related with thecompression and tensile strain the disc has
suffered, lifting excess weights, bad posture, weekabdominal and
back muscles together with disc degeneration.Disc degeneration
occurs naturally with aging but can also be caused by chemical
abnormalities inthe disc. This can be derived by nutrition or
hereditary factors.In the long term, degenerative changes in the
disc can cause spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinalcanal)Disc
bulging and degeneration at early ages can arise from a deficiency
in production ofMucopolysaccharide. This deficiency will cause
chemical abnormalities within the disc.If you have a bulged disc
the treatment will largely depend on you. If you have the
will-power tolearn and follow the recommendations you can avoid a
bulging disc surgery.Most of bulging discs can be treated without
surgery.How to reduce the inflammation, pain and start the healing
process?First of all, you have to reduce the pain so you can start
practicing exercise and return to yourroutine. A little pain can be
good to help analyze your posture problems.I do not advise taking
any drugs. They all have secondary effects at the stomach, liver or
otherlevels. Also they are not very effective.Apply cold to your
back to reduce the inflammation.Start doing physical therapy
involvingUltrasounds; Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation;
Massage; Hydrotherapy and Traction orInversion Tables. Each session
should last for about 2 hours.Rest: lay down on your back with 2 or
3pillows underneath your knees. This will reduce the compression
within the disc.You should also use this tip to sleep. If you sleep
sideways put a pillow between your legs;Use an inversion table if
you have one. Otherwise I recommend you to buy one;Do not lift any
weights; And learn on the proper ways lo lift them.Drink plenty of
water. This will improve the hydration of the body, including the
discs. Discs aremade of 79% water in young children, and have
hydrophylic properties. As time goes by, thispercentage decreases.
When the nucleus pulposus of the disc begins to dehydrate, it
limits its abilityto absorb shock. Also, the annulus fibrosus gets
weaker and begins to tear which can cause chronicpain in some
persons. As an indicator, try that your urine is always white. This
will also prevent youto be in the same position for too long - you
will have the urge to go to the bathroom;Take therecommended daily
intake of vitamin C and minerals like magnesium. It is always
better to get thenecessary vitamins and mineral from food - they
are better absorbed. However I recommend you totake mineral
supplements. The lack of some mineral can be helping the
condition.Question: I heard about shark cartilage? My Answer:
FORGET ITPractice swimming: This sport won't have impact to the
spine and will improve your muscles. Also, ina water environment
the compression to the discs will be reduced. It is important to
have good coremuscles - the intra-abdominal pressure absorbs part
of the load, 30 % according to Morris, etal.Practice sports and
exercises with low impact to the spin.Avoid those exercises that
cause impact,put extra-pressure to the spine or require a lot of
torque and torsion. Forexample, you should walk,but when you run
the pressure within the discs increases. So, I don't recommend you
to run in aearly stage. Always use comfortable shoes, with an outer
and inner sole with good impactabsorption. Lifting weights while
you are standing puts more pressure to discs. Golf swings involvesa
great torsion to the spine.If you have excess weight try to loose
it - The excess weight is puttingmore pressure into the discs.These
are just some exercises that you can do - There are plenty more.
Look also for: Side plank, hipbridge, bird dog (preferably with a
exercise ball).You can find more exercises following this link:
Video ExercisesRemember: It is also important to know what
exercises not to do. The ones mentioned at thebeginning are an
example.Don't be in the same position for long.Avoid being seated,
and don't be seated for more than 30minutes.Avoid seating at
couches, and avoid using your car.Always try to keep the lordosis
of yourspine - everywhere we are toldto seat straight - but is this
the best way to seat? Does this type ofseating maintains the lumbar
lordosis? Do the poll on my otherarticle: Spinal disc
SurgeryRemember, bulging disc surgery should only be used as a last
option, when everything else hasfailed over a period of 6
months.Always look for minimal invasive treatments like
Nucleoplasty (or Percutaneous Discectomy). Thisprocedure just uses
a sort of needle that penetrates the disk and emits radio waves
that break up thematerial in the nucleus: This will decrease the
amount of nucleus material putting pressure on thebulging disc wall
and sciatic nerve.The success rate of the procedure is 75%-80%. The
risks(infection) are negligent. Any open surgery is more prone to
infection than this one. You go home thesame or the next day.