Bulging Disc Treatment in Northern New Jersey
At Bergen Pain Management, our team of medical experts specializes in minimally invasive treatments for an array of spinal injuries, including bulging discs. Serving patients in Northern New Jersey, Dr. Thomas Ragukonis and the highly qualified team at Bergen Pain Management offer bulging disc treatments in Paramus, West New York, Union, Berkely Heights, and Madison, NJ.
What Is A Bulging Disc?
It can be difficult to differentiate between a bulging disc and a herniated disc, especially because when the symptoms present, they’re very similar due to the region of the body that has sustained an injury. Herniated discs are caused by acute injuries, and often the symptoms that follow are specific to the nerve root in the spine that it has affected. Herniation causes the outer covering of the disc to tear, leaking fluids into the spinal canal. Because of this, the symptoms should appear relatively quickly.
However, bulging discs deteriorate and push downward over time and can affect the discs around it as well, slowly becoming a more widespread problem. This leads to a gradual onset of symptoms, unlike a herniated disc.
Causes And Symptoms Of A Bulging Disc
Bulging discs are sometimes the result of aging and degenerative wear and tear in the spine. Several events can also lead to a bulging disc, such as:
- Injury from sudden impact
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Back injury from a severe fall
- Poor heavy lifting techniques
- Poor posture and body mechanics
- And more
Symptoms of herniated discs include the following and more:
- Pain in the cervical, lumbar, or thoracic regions of the spine that may radiate throughout other areas of the body
- Muscle spasm, weakness, or overactive reflexes
- Numbness in the legs, hands, feet, or other areas
- Pins and needles sensations
- Uncomfortable tingling and possibly burning sensations
- Stiff neck
How We Diagnose And Treat Bulging Discs
If you’re experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas Ragukonis of Bergen Pain Management. Because a bulging disc is so similar to a herniated disc, it requires the diagnosis of a board-certified medical professional like Dr. Ragukonis.
Specializing in injuries to and conditions of the spine, we can quickly diagnose your condition and establish a personalized treatment plan. Whether it’s the cervical, lumbar, or thoracic region of your spine, your bulging disc treatment may include the following modalities:
- At-home traction device
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Discography
- Injections
- Physical therapy