Bulging disc treatment aims to relieve the pain and other symptoms of a bulging disc, which occurs when a disc — the material that resides in between vertebrae to facilitate movement in the spine — literally bulges out of its intended place. When the bulging disc compresses a nerve root, patients may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. However there are many treatment options, both surgical and nonsurgical, available to manage patients’ symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Nonsurgical bulging disc treatment

Typically, a physician will start patients on a course of conservative treatment aimed at managing the symptoms of their bulging disc. These methods may include one of more of the following:

• Over-the-counter or prescription medication
• Epidural steroid injections
• Hot/cold therapy
• Stretching
• Physical therapy
• Limited periods of rest
• Weight loss, when necessary

Furthermore, some patients choose to explore alternative treatment on their own and have found relief from methods such as massage therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation. Always consult with your primary care doctor when attempting a new treatment method

Surgical bulging disc treatment

Occasionally, a patient will endure several weeks or months of conservative or alternative bulging disc treatment without significant relief from their symptoms. When this happens, his or her physician may recommend surgery to correct the bulging disc.

Before subjecting yourself to the lengthy recovery time and risk of infection associated with traditional open spine surgery, consult with USA Spine Care. Our board-certified surgeons perform thousands of procedures each year, setting us apart as the leader in minimally invasive spine surgery. Our procedures are performed through a less than 1-inch incision and utilize advanced muscle-sparing techniques.

To learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive, outpatient surgery at USA Spine Care, contact us today. Our team will review your MRI at no cost* to see if you are a candidate for our procedures.