What is a Lumbar Disc Bulge?
A lumbar disc bulge happens when one of the discs in your lower spine pushes outwards, sometimes pressing on nearby nerves. This can cause localised back pain or referred symptoms like leg tingling, numbness, or weakness. It’s common in people who sit for long periods, experience poor posture, or do heavy lifting without proper technique.
Disc bulges can occur gradually due to spinal wear or acutely from an injury. For example, a sudden lift with poor mechanics or a twisting motion can place too much strain on the disc, causing it to shift.
When to Seek Help
In the early stages, many people don’t realise they have a disc bulge — they might just feel stiff or sore. Over time, if the disc impinges on a nerve, symptoms can become more intense and affect daily life. A person might find it hard to sit through a workday, get restful sleep, or even drive without pain.
Left untreated, disc issues may worsen, and chronic nerve compression can lead to more serious complications, including permanent nerve damage. That’s why early assessment and management is essential.
The Chiropractic Approach
At Waterloo Chiropractic, we assess your spine and movement patterns to understand what’s causing the bulge. We use spinal decompression, gentle adjustments, and posture correction to reduce pressure on the affected disc. We also assess contributing factors like hip stability, core strength, and how you move throughout the day.
A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that spinal manipulative therapy was effective for patients with acute lumbar disc herniation and sciatica (https://www.jmptonline.org/article/S0161-4754(14)00153-6/fulltext).
Our care plans include corrective exercises and ergonomic advice to support long-term recovery. For instance, we often advise against sitting for long periods without breaks, and we provide guidance on how to lift properly and stretch safely.
Most importantly, we guide you through every step of healing, from pain relief to strengthening and prevention, so you can return to daily life with confidence.
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