| With most back injuries rest is usually | | | | Ice, heat, ultrasound, electrical |
| all that is required for your back to | | | | stimulation or massages are used with |
| start to feel better. Resting in a | | | | the initial management of the pain from |
| comfortable position on a firm mattress | | | | the bulging disc. The treatments will |
| will help to take the pressure off of | | | | switch to the core of the problem once |
| your spine and the muscles around it. On | | | | the pain begins to be manageable. |
| suggestion to relieve some of the pain | | | | The goal of therapy in most situations |
| from a bulging disc is to place a pillow | | | | is to help control your symptoms. By |
| under your knees while you are resting. | | | | controlling your symptoms you will begin |
| If you stay in bed for more than two or | | | | to be able to move and exercise safely |
| three days of bed rest you may be | | | | and with more ease. The easiest way for |
| worsening the situation as your back | | | | someone to combat back problems is |
| muscle will start to weaken from lack of | | | | through regular exercise. By building |
| activity. When returning to a normal | | | | the and coordination of the lumbar |
| life style (although not as active at | | | | region and your abdominal muscles you |
| first) you may still feel pain in your | | | | can consider this to be part of a long |
| back from your bulging disc but your | | | | term health investment by helping to |
| normal daily activities are good for | | | | reduce the risks of future back |
| your muscles, helping them strengthen to | | | | injuries. Most commonly therapy sessions |
| give your back more support. So although | | | | will be scheduled two or three times a |
| with movement in the beginning you may | | | | week for up to six weeks. |
| feel some pain still, that pain is the | | | | Let's have a look at a quick summary of |
| beginning of relief for most people. If | | | | the goals of physical therapy for |
| the few days of best rest and then | | | | bulging disc: |
| normal activities fail to provide any | | | | 1. learn ways to manage your condition |
| relief you may be sent to see a physical | | | | and control symptoms |
| therapist. Normal your first few | | | | 2. maintain appropriate activity levels |
| sessions will be spent educating you on | | | | 3. learn correct posture and body |
| the ways to relieve your back of stress | | | | movements to reduce back strain |
| while still being able to stay as active | | | | 4. maximize your flexibility and |
| as you may possibly want. Short periods | | | | strength |
| of rest combined with brief exercises | | | | When looking at a bulging disc from the |
| designed to reduce your pain may be | | | | eyes of a competitive athlete the |
| suggested. A well-rounded rehabilitation | | | | initial stages of the bulging disc |
| program assists in calming pain and | | | | should not impede the athlete's |
| inflammation, improving your mobility | | | | performance too greatly. The athlete |
| and strength, and helping you do your | | | | will most likely be able to continue |
| daily activities with greater ease and | | | | playing and only feel the initial |
| ability. | | | | symptoms of pain spasms and the limited |
| Some individuals may require spinal | | | | mobility associated with these symptoms. |
| manipulation or mobilization techniques, | | | | As the athlete competes or practices the |
| deep soft tissue mobilization, neural | | | | symptoms may become less intense as the |
| stretching, or various other | | | | stretching associated with the activity |
| interventions by trained personnel for | | | | is helpful. If the warning signs and |
| successful results. If the disc is | | | | symptoms are not taken seriously and |
| herniated the intervention of a | | | | there is no medical attention sought |
| physician or orthopedic surgeon may also | | | | after, the bulging disc could worsen and |
| be necessary. Successful long term | | | | even herniated causing further symptoms |
| results are very likely if the bulging | | | | that may become debilitating to the |
| disc is detected early enough. | | | | athlete. |