Disc Bulge
Being told you have a disc bulge can be worrying. In most cases it's far less serious than it sounds, and most people improve with time and the right plan.
About Disc Bulge
Discs sit between the vertebrae and act as shock absorbers. A bulge or protrusion means part of the disc extends beyond its normal edge.
Disc bulges are very common on scans, including in people with no pain at all, and become more common with age. A bulge on a scan doesn't always explain your symptoms, and many disc injuries settle by themselves over weeks to months.
Common signs
- Back or neck pain that is worse with sitting or bending
- Pain that spreads into a leg or arm
- Pins and needles or numbness in a limb
- Pain with coughing or sneezing
How We Can Help
We start by explaining your scan and examination findings in plain English, and checking your nerves, strength and reflexes.
Care centres on gentle chiropractic adjustments suited to your presentation, including low-force and drop piece techniques, combined with a graded exercise plan to build tolerance to sitting, bending and lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my disc go back in?
Discs do not "slip" in and out. But disc injuries often improve over time, and symptoms can settle even when a scan still shows a bulge.
Do I need surgery?
Most people with a disc bulge do not. Surgery is usually considered only for severe or worsening nerve symptoms, or when good conservative care has not helped.
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