Alternative treatments for a bulging disc are methods outside of mainstream medicine such as chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, yoga and herbal remedies. When used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, these therapies can help patients manage bulging disc-related pain, tingling and muscle weakness that can interfere with daily activities from work to walking your dog.

Reasons that patients explore these options range from personal beliefs to making sure all options are fully explored. Even though there is disagreement among doctors about the effectiveness of alternative methods, it is recommended that you discuss these methods with your doctor to complement a more conventional course of conservative treatment.

Chiropractic care and massage therapy

When first considering alternative treatment options, two of the most common methods patients turn to are chiropractic care and therapeutic massage. A licensed and professional chiropractor can make manual adjustments in an effort to align the spinal column. This can potentially release pressure that has been placed nerves that have been compressed by a bulging disc.

The goal of therapeutic massage is to release tension on the supporting muscles in the area around the disc. Since both of these methods involve intense manual manipulation, it is important to be cautious and find practitioners who understand your condition to lower risk of symptoms worsening.

Other alternative therapies for a bulging disc

There are a number of other alternative therapies that can be used as part of a bulging disc treatment plan including:

• Yoga — which helps stretch and strengthen the muscles that support the spine
• Acupuncture — which uses carefully placed needles to stimulate pressure points throughout the body
• Aromatherapy — which may be helpful for pain relief and relaxation
• Herbal therapies — which can help patients manage their bulging disc symptoms without relying as much on prescription medications

Before beginning any of these alternative bulging disc therapies, you should always discuss the potential side effects with your doctor. Not every treatment is right for every situation, and some may even interfere with conventional treatments.

USA Spine Care

Although many patients do find options such as yoga and chiropractic care to be beneficial, some are not able to manage the bulging disc symptoms through conservative and alternative therapies, despite weeks and months of attempting it. When this is the case, they may wish to discuss surgery with their treatment team.

Surgery for a bulging disc is usually seen as a last-resort treatment due to the highly invasive nature of traditional open spine procedures. To learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery, contact USA Spine Care. Our outpatient procedures involve a less than 1-inch incision, which spares muscles and helps our patients enjoy a shorter recovery time compared to traditional open neck or back surgery.

If you’d like to find out if you’re a potential candidate for one of our procedures, our dedicated team of Patient Empowerment Consultants are happy to help you receive a no-cost MRI review.*