Bulging Discs and the Associated Pain
A bulging disc occurs when the cartilage sandwiched between two vertebrae on the spine sticks out. This is a common problem suffered by people who lift heavy objects or who pick things up without bending at the knee joints, causing the back to do most of the work in the effort to do the activity. Also, a bulging disc could be the result of an accident that could have affected the spinal column.
The most obvious symptom is back pain because the dislocated cartilage can exert stress on the nerve endings in the area. At the onset of symptoms, patients should be aided in minimizing or reducing the pain. This is important in keeping them from being incapacitated when they suffer bouts of inflammation.
Lessen the Inflammation
A bulging disc is made worse by physical activity. This means that you have to take rest periods in between physical exertions. It is also the surest way to keep the injury from getting worse. In the first 48 hours of the attack, you should try your best to reduce the pain and the swelling. For this, you can apply an ice pack on the affected part to constrict the blood vessels, causing the swelling to subside. After that, you can apply heating pads or use a hot bath to get blood flowing back to the injured site.
Treat the Symptoms
Medicines, like naproxen sodium and ibuprofen, have anti-inflammatory properties can help patients manage the pain caused by a bulging disc. These medicines reduce the effects of prostaglandin and Cox-2, the body’s natural inflammatory response to injury. For acute pain, your doctor could prescribe stronger medications like steroids or cortisone.
Ilex, an herb, has also been used to help minimize the pain. This herb is known to reduce inflammation and swelling through its analgesic properties and its ability to make the muscles relax. Of course, you have to ensure that you see your doctor just in case you are also taking other prescription drugs. You should allow your doctor to help you treat your injury as well as guide you in using the medicines.
Strengthen Muscles
As soon as the swelling that comes with a bulging disc subsides, you should start a light exercise regimen to strengthen the muscles around the injured part. Exercise does a lot in promoting blood flow to the injured area, leading to healing. Plus, when you have more elastic ligaments, tendons and back muscles, the pain surrounding the bulging disc can also go down. A few of the best exercises for lower back pain in Tampa are: low impact aerobics, stretching, walking and swimming.
Putting together the non surgical remedies for middle back pain will let you get relief from the suffering you have to put up with. Now, if you have had the condition for quite some time, it is best for you to visit a chronic pain management center that could provide other options to help you manage your back and joint pain in Tampa. The condition could bring about lightheadedness as a side effect. If you desire, you can also take advantage of a fall prevention program in Pinellas County to avoid the complications of a bulging disc. You can even seek help in a chronic pain management center in Palm FL.
