Bulging discs can have a negative impact on nearly every part of your quality of life, including your ability to sleep soundly through the night. If displaced disc material puts pressure on a nerve in the spinal column, local pain and radiating symptoms can result that can make it hard to get comfortable in bed, or can have you waking up in the middle of the night.

If you are dealing with bulging disc symptoms that are preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep, it can be easy to feel like you’re in a vicious cycle. Sleep is a vital part of overall health, helping our minds rest and our bodies heal. When sleep is disrupted and you aren’t well rested, it can make it even harder to deal with pain during the day and focus on the steps you need to properly treat this condition. Fortunately, there are actions anyone can take to improve their quality of sleep if they have been diagnosed with a bulging disc.

Better sleep for bulging disc patients

Here are some tips for getting longer, more restful sleep in spite of pain and other symptoms related to a bulging disc:

• Talk to your doctor about the possibility of other issues that may be disrupting your sleep
• Make sure you are sleeping on a supportive mattress and pillow that promote spinal alignment
• Do not eat or drink immediately before bed
• Take a hot shower to relax your muscles before bed, or use a heating pad
• Sleep in a dark, distraction free room
• Use medication, such as pain relievers and muscle relaxers, as needed and only as recommended by a doctor

It may take some trial and error to find the right combination of elements that allow you to sleep better if you have a bulging disc, but with some patience you can find yourself more physically and mentally refreshed in the mornings.

Bulging disc treatment options

Lifestyle factors like getting quality sleep, staying active, practicing good posture and eating a healthy diet are essential to the bulging disc treatment process. By combining a healthy lifestyle with options like physical therapy, massage, spinal injections, chiropractic adjustment, heat therapy and cold therapy, a very large number of patients are able to find lasting relief and a return to a good quality of life.

Spine surgery is usually a last resort, but it can become a consideration if symptoms are seriously debilitating and not responding to conservative treatments. If you are researching the possibility of bulging disc surgery, contact USA Spine Care. Our minimally invasive spine surgery is performed by board-certified surgeons and is an outpatient alternative to traditional open neck or back procedures.

Ask a member of our caring team for your free MRI review* that can determine if you are a potential candidate for one of our procedures.