Various Bulging Disc Symptoms

Bulging disc symptoms can manifest themselves in several different ways, and surprisingly, they can occur in areas that are far removed from the neck and back.

Symptoms in the extremities occur because the spinal cord or a nerve root has been impinged by a bulging disc. Pain, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and muscle spasms may be felt in the shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers, or in the buttocks, legs, feet, and toes. Stemming from the spinal cord are nerve roots that break into smaller nerves that travel throughout the entire body, providing sensation and movement. When a nerve root is irritated by a disc bulge, the aforementioned symptoms can be felt anywhere along the length of the affected nerve.

Treatment Aimed at Relieving the Symptoms

There are a variety of nonsurgical treatment methods that may help to reduce and minimize the symptoms of a bulging disc. These are called conservative treatments, and your doctor will likely suggest a combination of them to perform at home after first diagnosing you. These can consist of light exercise and stretching routines, physical therapy, bed rest, hot and cold packs, and medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Through the course of time, these treatment efforts have been highly successful in managing, reducing, and even eliminating all of a bulging disc's various symptoms.

When the Symptoms Persist

When bulging disc symptoms persist after a few weeks or months of consistent nonsurgical treatment, it may be time to return to your doctor and discuss the possibility of surgery. Surgery for a bulging disc is generally reserved for only a small percentage of patients, but when you have not found relief from the nonsurgical treatments, your likelihood of falling into that small percentage of surgery candidates is good. After discussing the possibility of surgery with your doctor, seek out other professional medical opinions and gather as much information as you can before making a decision.