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Whether you've just started experiencing symptoms or have been suffering for years, obtaining a bulging disc diagnosis is the first step to achieving relief from what can be a debilitating condition. This diagnosis will likely include both a physical exam and diagnostic testing to confirm your doctor's initial findings as well as provide more details about your particular case.
During the physical exam, your doctor will likely ask if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Pain
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness
- Headaches
The doctor will also question in what areas of the body you experience these symptoms, and this information will tell him or her the general location of the bulging disc in the spine. He or she may then order an MRI or CT scan to obtain visual confirmation of the condition, as well as show the severity and the exact location of the affected disc.
After a Bulging Disc Diagnosis
Once it has been determined that you are indeed suffering from a bulging disc, your doctor will likely put you on a treatment regimen that includes one or more conservative techniques. The exact combination of these depends on many factors, including the severity of your symptoms, the location of the bulging disc in the back, and your physical health.
Your treatment regimen may include such techniques as:
- Over-the-counter and prescription pain medications
- Hot/cold compression therapy
- Spinal decompression
- Physical therapy
- Rest
- Stretching
- Epidural cortisone injections
For more information on a bulging disc diagnosis, as well as treatments for the condition including endoscopic spine surgery, contact Laser Spine Institute. We offer a free review of your MRI or CT scan to determine if you're eligible for surgical treatment and will also be happy to discuss all your potential treatment options with you.