Finding relief of a bulging disc by exercise
Back pain and influenza are probably one of the most common illnesses affecting most Americas and individuals globally. Daily exercise keeps us healthy. But only visit as doctor or chiropractor when there is a problem with us performing our daily routines. A common condition (Bulging disc) affecting both the young and old population alike of this country.
Stretching exercises are recommended by neuro physicians for Bulging discs. Let us review the anatomy of the back to understand how herniated discs affect our back and promote chronic pain. The back or vertebrae is a curved bone S shaped structure. The vertebrae are lined on top of each other and starting with the S1 to Lumbar L1 discs ending at the sacchrum and coccyx. Consider the vertebrae as building blocks of the back cushioned by soft jelly like mass that absorbs shock and injury to the back. The soft mass in-between the vertebrae or the jelly like material is aligned with the circumference of each vertebrae.
When the jelly like substance protrudes out of the vertebrae it results in a condition called a bulging disc. Bulging disc affects young and old individuals and results in chronic pain on the left or right side of the back. This condition affects the lower lumbar region or low back and occurs over a time period. Pain or sciatica occurs when the bulging disc is herniated meaning the bulging disc is pinching a nerve surrounding the spinal cord. Bulging disc can be diagnosed by modern imaging techniques like MRI.
Cortisone injections along with hot and cold temperature therapy, is prescribed by physicians to treat bulging discs. Physical therapy, yoga, and stretching exercises can be used for treating Bulging disc. Affecting the parathyroid glands pseudo gout is considered to be inherited. Misdiagnosed sometimes pseudo-gout is mistaken for Rheumatoid arthritis. Bulging disc is caused when the soft jelly like material moves away from the nucleus and protrudes into the nerve area of the spiral column, causing pain and later results in sciatica affecting both left and right side of the back.
Gout is a condition resulting in deposits of uric acid between the joints. Pseudo gout and gout can also affect the spine resulting in severe back pain. Although, rheumatoid arthritis rarely affects the back it may affect the spine resulting in a condition called myelopathy. It results in inflammation and severe weakening of the ligaments and tendons that connect the vertebrae and leads to instability of the neck and the back. This condition is serious and life threatening.
Stretching exercises and yoga can alleviate the bulging disc condition. Individuals with chronic back pain due to bulging disc or herniated disc have found relief with simple stretching exercises. Different forms of yoga like knee rolls, knee lifts, pelvic twists, and sit ups can help low back pain. The goal of yoga or any back exercise is to strengthen the abdominal muscles to compensate for the loss of function of the vertebrae. Some of the common yogasanas that are recommended help in stretching the back and improve circulation to the vertebrae. Although caution is advised when embarking on bending and stretching exercise and should be done with help of a therapeutic and trained yoga expert.
May 11 2008 08:18 am | Health
