The Skinny on Bulging Discs and Back Pain

Read the full article by Dr. Axe here.
Here's the article summary: "Bulging Disc Takeaways"

• The following ways can help naturally treat a bulging disc: see a chiropractor for spinal adjustments, visit a physical therapist, stay active, get enough sleep and rest, work on correcting your posture, eat an anti-inflammatory diet, and reduce pain using essential oils, massage therapy, heat and acupuncture.
• A herniated disc is more like a disc opening and spilling its insides out, while a bulging disc is the disc stretching and protruding outward.
• Common symptoms of a bulging disc can include: localized pain felt in the spinal area, lower back, middle back, limbs, neck or head; tingling or pain that travels down to the fingers, toes and wrists; numbness and weakness in the area of the body where the bulging disc is; pain and numbness in the buttock and down the legs (sciatic pain); headaches; and trouble moving normally due to muscle aches, throbbing or weakness.
  
• The type of pain caused by a bulging disc is a clue to where the abnormal disc is located: lumbar bulging discs most often cause pain in the buttocks, legs, feet and abdomen; cervical bulging discs most often cause pain in the head, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands and fingers; thoracic bulging discs cause pain in the hands, chest, back and abdomen.
• In general, the lower back and neck are more susceptible to bugling discs than the thoracic spine because these are the areas under the most strain and pressure, since they help us move, bend over, twist, turn and do many exercises.
• Factors besides old age that contribute to bulging discs include: wear and tear of the discs; loss of mobility and flexibility in the spine; an injury to the spine or neck; being overweight; high amounts of inflammation due to factors like a poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking or drug use, and high amounts of stress; degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis/degenerative joint disease; improper form when exercising; working at a job that causes excessive back and neck strain; being tall; and having poor posture.