A bulging disc causing lower back pain is more common than any other bulging disc problem. Medical experts have estimated that 90 percent of all bulging discs and their associated pain occur in the lower back. That’s not surprising since the lower back, or lumbar region, supports most of our body weight and is used in so many of our daily movements, including sitting, standing, walking and running.

Additionally, we often rely on the weight-bearing capability of our lower backs when we perform heavy lifting. As a result, many back conditions can develop from wear on the lower back, including a lumbar bulging disc. This condition most often occurs because spinal 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 small spaces in the spinal column 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 confined to 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. Read on to learn about the treatments available for this debilitating condition.

Treatment options for a bulging disc in the lower back

No matter what has caused your bulging disc, if it is triggering lower back pain, it probably requires treatment. Some bulging disc treatments include:

• Rest
• Physical therapy
• Low-impact exercise
• Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
• Chiropractic treatment
• Epidural steroidal injections
• Open back surgery
• Minimally invasive procedures, including laminotomy and discectomy

Am I a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery?

If a physician determines that a bulging disc is causing your lower back pain and other treatments have failed to offer relief after several weeks or months, you may want to discuss your treatment options with USA Spine Care. Contact us today to learn if our minimally invasive spine surgery would be effective in providing your relief from a bulging disc in your lower back.

USA Spine Care is the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and has helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck or back pain. Our surgeons use a less than 1-inch incision and muscle-sparing techniques in order to alleviate symptoms while resulting a safer and effective alternative compared to traditional open back surgery.^

Reach out to USA Spine Care today and request a no-cost MRI review* to determine if you are a potential candidate for our minimally invasive spine surgery. We are here to help you on the road to recovery.