Question
What is the difference between a bulging disk and a herniated disk?
Answer
There is no real difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc. The discs are the cushions which allow motion between the vertebrae in your spine. As time goes on, or from an injury, the discs can weaken and bulge out (or herniate) into other spaces. When they push against the spinal nerves or spinal cord, this can cause pain, weakness, numbness and tingling.
Most people have bouts of back pain and 90 percent of back pain resolves on its own in six weeks. Rest and anti-inflammatories are helpful in the beginning stages. After that, good physical therapy can be helpful in the recovery phases.
Overall, preventing recurrence is possible through weight loss, core strengthening, and maintaining good posture and flexibility. However, for some, the symptoms don't respond to conservative management and then injections, and possibly surgery, may be necessary for relief.