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