Slipped disc and disc bulge
What is a slipped disc / disc bulge?
In between each of the vertebrae in your lumbar spine, there is a shock absorbing “pad,” this is called an intervertebral disc. The purpose of these discs is to protect the spine from daily activities, like walking, running, jumping, etc by helping to absorb shock. Each disc has two parts: a soft, gel-like inner ring, and an outer ring. When your outer ring is injured or weak, it may allow the inner ring protrude out. This is commonly known as a herniated or slipped disc.
Common causes for a slipped or herniated disc are age, being overweight, weak muscles, and a sedentary lifestyle. You may be at increased risk of a herniated disc if you often turn or twist your back while lifting objects or repetitive heavy lifting. It can occur in your lumbar lower back, upper and mid-back, or your neck.
You can read our blog post about our back and human evolution here.
Treatment for a slipped disc
Physiotherapy treatment for disc prolapses aims to reduce pain, stiffness and muscle spasm, as well as sciatic leg pain (if disc herniation occurs in the lower back). Once your disc prolapse symptoms have been reduced, our physiotherapists will help to improve your muscle strength and flexibility.
We will develop an individually tailored exercise programme, which will help relieve pain, keep you strong, flexible and help prevent any future problems in your spine.
Our Physiotherapy treatment for disc prolapse may include:
- Joint mobilisations to reduce joint stiffness
- Soft tissue release for muscle tightness
- Acupuncture and dry needling to reduce pain and muscle tightness
- TENS for pain relief
- Kinesiology taping and strapping for support of joints and muscles
- Lower back extension exercises to relieve nerve root irritation and pain (PhysioQinetics Youtube Channel)
- Core muscle strengthening exercises to help reduce the recurrence of another disc prolapse (PhysioQinetics Youtube Channel)
- Posture / lifting re-education
- Pilates training