Struggling with back pain in your lower spine or shooting leg pain? It might signal a bulging disc. 

At Premier Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Dallas, Texas, Dr. H. Khayal offers nonsurgical treatment options for bulging or herniated discs to reduce your back pain and improve your spinal health. 

Here’s what to look for when it comes to a bulging or herniated disc. 

What causes a bulging disc?

Your spine consists of stacked bones called vertebrae that are cushioned in between by spinal discs. A healthy disc consists of a soft, jellylike center that’s surrounded by a firm outer wall. 

For a variety of reasons, including injury, overuse, and poor posture, this center sometimes bulges, pressing on nerves and causing pain. 

Eventually, a bulging disc can turn into a herniated disc (also known as a slipped or ruptured disc) if the disc wall ruptures and the soft interior starts to protrude. That’s why it’s so important to identify bulging discs and treat them before they herniate. 

Is your back pain caused by a bulging disc?

A bulging disc sometimes causes no pain at all, making it harder to diagnose and treat in the early stages. But if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be a sign that you have a bulging disc: 

Tingling and numbness

Common symptoms of a bulging disc that happen early on are tingling and numbness. These occur as a result of the jellylike interior of your disc beginning to bulge outward and placing pressure on nerves in your spinal column. 

Pain in the lower extremities (sciatica)

If you experience radiating pain in your legs and extremities, otherwise known as sciatica, it may be caused by a bulging disc pressing on your body’s sciatic nerve. This might occur due to direct compression, meaning the disc is pressing directly on the nerve. 

If your bulging disc is left untreated and eventually herniates, the interior chemicals of the disc can cause inflammation and irritation along your nerves. 

Difficulty walking, bending, or lifting heavy objects

If your tingling nerve sensations, back pain, or sciatica worsen with activities that engage your lower lumbar region — such as bending, lifting, or even walking — it might be caused by a bulging disc.

These positions and movements can cause greater strain and pressure along your spine and might cause your bulging disc to press further on your nerves. 

How is a bulging disc treated?

If you’re diagnosed with a bulging disc or other disc problems, it’s important to know that options are available other than invasive surgery or a lifetime of pain medication. Chiropractic care offers a drug-free, noninvasive way to improve your spine health and reduce your pain. 

Here at Premier Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dr. Khayal recommends spinal decompression for bulging discs to gently realign your spine, improve nutrient flow in your discs, and reduce your back pain. 

During your treatment, Dr. Khayal uses a specialized decompression table that involves motorized traction to safely decompress your spine with a gentle rocking motion. He also offers advanced chiropractic options such as the Ultralign G2 and cold laser therapy. 

Don’t suffer with back pain any longer: Call our Dallas office at 972-713-9355 to schedule an appointment or book a free consultation.