Knowing the Difference Between a Bulging and Herniated Disc

Do you know the difference between a bugling and a herniated spinal disc? Knowing the difference can save you a lot of trouble in choosing the correct treatment methods.

First, allow me to tell you what the disc does for your spine. The disc is a spongy donut shaped piece of cartilage that acts as a spacer between the bones of your spine. It also acts as a shock absorber. The most important job the disc does, however, is allow room for the spinal nerves to exit the spine.

Now, with that said, what is the difference between these two disc conditions? Well it is fairly simple. A "bulging" disc has a weakness and this weakness is allowing the disc to change shapes. This shape change may contact the spinal nerve next to the disc (and this is when the pain starts). A "herniated" disc has an actual tear in the wall of the disc and is leaking out the material inside the disc. Think of it as a jelly donut leaking out the jelly.

Now that you know the difference between the two conditions, what are the treatment options? Well, for starters, bulging discs are easier to treat and generally have a better prognosis. Herniated discs often require longer treatments and or surgery.

Remember, bulging discs only become a problem once the disc itself contacts the spinal nerve. I often tell my patients that many people go to the grave with a bulging disc (or multiple bulging discs) that never caused them pain once in their life. Again, it takes the disc to contact the spinal nerve to cause all the drama.

Bulging disc treatment options include the traditional medical treatments of anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. Cortisone shots are also used. Surgery should be used as a last resort.

Many people are turning to a new technology called Spinal Decompression Therapy, which combines targeted traction to the specific disc in a computerized pattern type of pull. The idea here is to "sneak" the traction in so that your body does not detect the pull (thus allowing your muscles to not fight the treatment).

Herniated discs as stated before have a worse prognosis because your body has much more inflammation from the leaking material. Controlling the inflammatory process and not reinjuring the disc by incorrect movements is concentrated on. With that said, however, we have heard of patients heal without surgery.

Each patient is different. MRI studies are often used to classify the problem and see how severe it is.