A disc protrusion, also known as a bulging disc, is a spinal condition that can cause back pain and other unpleasant symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, you’ll want to learn about the various treatment options available that can help.

Seven treatments commonly recommended to help with a disc protrusion

Your physician will likely recommend a combination of several of the following disc protrusion treatments:

1. Physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach you targeted stretching techniques to help strengthen the muscles supporting the spine. This can improve the stability of the spine and take some of the strain off the spinal structures.
2. Medication. Over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers are commonly recommended to help manage pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also helpful because they can reduce inflammation around the damaged disc and irritated nerve tissue.
3. Exercise. Staying active by doing low-impact exercises on a regular basis can help you manage your pain. Popular options include water aerobics, yoga and walking.
4. Lifestyle changes. Practicing proper posture, losing excess body weight and quitting smoking are just a few lifestyle changes that can have a positive effect on the spine and help minimize symptoms of a disc protrusion.
5. Hot/cold therapy. Hot compresses can help improve circulation and relax muscles, and cold compresses can help numb the pain. Many patients choose to alternate between the two to help them find symptom relief.
6. Corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids are injected at the site of the affected disc to reduce swelling. These powerful anti-inflammatories can provide symptom relief that can last weeks or months.
7. Surgery. This is usually only considered as a last resort option if more conservative treatments have proven ineffective at minimizing symptoms. When spine surgery is recommended, there are usually two main options to choose from: traditional open surgery and minimally invasive surgery.

Minimally invasive surgery to treat a disc protrusion at USA Spine Care

Many patients who are considering surgery opt for a minimally invasive procedure at USA Spine Care because our outpatient surgeries are a safer and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery.^ We can provide you with a no-cost MRI review* to help you find out if you are a candidate for our procedures.

If you have a disc protrusion and more conservative treatments have not been effective in alleviating your pain, contact USA Spine Care today to learn more about our minimally invasive treatment options.

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