Bulging disc describes a protruding disc outside of the normal radius in the spine. Chiropractic care has become a popular alternative treatment for neck and back symptoms associated with a bulging disc. This is because properly performed chiropractic treatment can take pressure off of a bulging disc and give it the opportunity to heal itself. Before chiropractic manipulation, it is crucial to consult a doctor to avoid possible injury. Read on to learn about the benefits of chiropractic therapies and the alternative treatment options available.

Benefits of chiropractic treatment

Chiropractic care for bulging disc symptoms is attractive to many patients because it:

• Is noninvasive
• Does not involve pills, injections or any other controlled substances
• Is performed by a licensed professional who is trained to recognize serious health issues that should be referred to a doctor
• Is holistic, which means a chiropractor will look at your condition as a whole-body issue and offer advice on stress relief, nutrition and other lifestyle factors

If you decide to go to a chiropractor for the treatment of your bulging disc symptoms, your chiropractor will want to verify your bulging disc diagnosis. This might involve a physical examination, questions about your symptoms and health history, along with testing of your muscle tone, reflexes and nerve function. In addition, your chiropractor might send you to get diagnostic imagery like an X-ray or an MRI to get a clearer picture of your condition.

How a chiropractor treats bulging disc symptoms

Once a bulging disc diagnosis is confirmed, your chiropractor has several procedures available to treat your symptoms. For example, he or she can gently stretch your spine. This treatment is designed to increase the space between vertebrae, thus relieving pressure on compressed nerves. Furthermore, your chiropractor might have you lie down on specially arranged cushions that put your spine in an ideal position and then let gravity balance out your pelvis and spinal column.

As mentioned before, chiropractic care only provides temporary relief from bulging disc symptoms. However, it can be part of a comprehensive conservative treatment plan that can help you get back to a higher quality of life. Most specialists, including chiropractors, will begin to consider surgical options when weeks or months of conservative care do not bring lasting relief and a return to normal activity.

If you have been recommended for surgery but are worried about the risks and difficulties of a traditional open spine procedure, consider seeing if you are a candidate for the minimally invasive surgeries offered at USA Spine Care. Our minimally invasive outpatient surgeries use a less than 1-inch, muscle-sparing incision that leads to a shorter recovery time and less risk of infection than traditional spine procedures performed in a hospital.^

For more information, please contact USA Spine Care. Our dedicated team can schedule a no-cost MRI review* to learn if our procedures would be effective in relieving your bulging disc symptoms. Since 2005, we have helped more than 75,000 patients find relief from chronic neck and back conditions.

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