When the intervertebral disc, which serves as the cushion between two vertebrae, slips from its normal position or swells up, it is called disc bulge. It causes nerve compression and thus results in symptoms like tingling or pain in the back, neck, or shoulders, leg pain, numbness, weakness, and sciatica. It can result from poor posture, sudden load to the vertebrae, and due to genes.
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I have had herniated disc at L2 and S5 from two years with extreme pain. Please help.
Query: Hello doctor,I have had a herniated disc at my L2, S5 for the past two years. It has been extremely painful occasionally and always sets me in a bad mood. I am 21 years old and I have just started lifting weights again after stopping for two years. My question is what is a quick fixer to the pain? A... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your query and understand your concern. Nearly 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in life. Unfortunately, with your question, you probably would not like my answer. If you have had disc herniations at L2 and presumably L5 (because S5 ... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, Mild degenerative changes in the lumbar spine are outlined level by level above. A disc bulge and facet disease approach the descending L5 nerve roots in the subarticular zone bilaterally at L4 to L5, and there is mild left greater than right foraminal narrowing at its level. The hypertr... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. When I look at your report (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity) I infer that your problem has been chronic and you have been suffering for some time. The changes that had happened in your lumbar spine can be because of your weight and age. You can star... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, My left leg was shorter than my right due to knee injury and gradual bone loss for many years. It has been corrected by knee replacement. If I have formed a bulging disc due to the uneven pelvic tilt over the years, which side would the bulging disc logically be on? I thought it might... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. You can have a bulging disc on the left. Research shows that 50 percent of the population has a bulging disc and do not even know it due to the lack of symptoms. If you were having symptoms and were my patient, I would perform a chiropractic e... Read Full »
What can be the cause of lower back pain while sitting or lying down in certain positions?
Query: Hi doctor, I have lower back pain when I am sitting or lying down in certain positions. When I straighten my back out, and when I try to stretch it, I get pain in my middle or lower back. I am a gamer, and I sit down in pretzel style on my chair with my body leaning forward, most comfortable while ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. You may be suffering from a disc bulge. Pain is considered chronic once it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the body’s natural healing process. Chronic pain in the lower back often involves a disc problem, joint problem, and an irritated nerve root. Common... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, I injured my back at work after lifting, pushing, and pulling boxes. The boxes weighed up to 75 lbs. I was diagnosed with sprain or strain of the lower lumbar spine. The pain varies from time to time. It happened a month ago, and I have had physical therapy for three weeks. The pain go... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your question. I am sorry you are experiencing low back pain. In fact, nearly 80 % people experience back pain at some point in their life. In your question, you said you were pushing and pulling boxes which weighed up to 75 lbs. Since then, you have ... Read Full »
My mom is having a disc problem. Is it good to have surgery or physiotherapy?
Query: Hello doctor, My mother, aged 41, has been suffering from back pain, hip pain which became leg pain and foot numbness for almost three months now. She went to an orthopedician and had an MRI of the lumbar spine, which revealed a problem in the L5-S1 disc. I would really appreciate if you can assist ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your question and your attached MRI reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity). As the MRI report stated, there is a disc bulge at L5-S1 causing the numbness and leg pain. Has your mom been to a chiropractor before? What was your orthopedic... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, Can I work out in the gym with left low back pain? The scan report shows a bulging annulus at L3, L4, and L5 regions. Is it serious, or can I work out in the gym? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. As reports (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity) show disk bulge, it is not good nor adviced to lift weights which causes more severe nerve damage. Instead, take proper treatment for disk bulges a... Read Full »