Bulging Neck Disc Characteristics

By Peter Johnson

As explained in other articles on this site, a bulging disc is essentially the same thing as a herniated disc, but to be specific: an Intervertebral disc that extends beyond the normal boundaries is classified as a bulging disc.  As this happens, the bulging disc is sure to cause pain as it presses on a nerve.  But this greatly depends on the degree of the bulge and to which direction.  Herniated or bulging discs stimulate pain because of the soft substance that flows out and irritate the nerves.  The nerves respond to this disturbance by radiating pain signals. 

Herniated disc conditions are divided into 3 main parts: herniated lumbar disc, herniated thoracic disc and herniated cervical disc.  Among these, lumbar disc herniation is the most common, herniated thoracic disc being the rare.  But most people do develop a cervical disc herniation or a bulging neck disc.

Aging, poor and unhealthy lifestyle and injuries are among the triggering factors for a bulging neck disc. In plain English, herniated disc is best described as a ruptured disc.  Disc disorders take two forms: either non-contained or contained.  A bulging neck disc is a perfect example for a contained disc illness.  A bulging disc means it is not open yet.  The internal soft substances of a disc called the nucleus pulposus is still contained within its outer covering, the annulus fibrosus.

Bulging neck disc can be likened to a volcano before an eruption.  It can be considered to be some precursor to disc herniation.  It is possible for the disc to just protrude unto the spinal canal without the necessity of breaking it open.  Therefore, the nucleus pulposus does not spill out.  To which, a bulging neck disc remains intact. 

Bulging neck disc can be diagnosed after a careful examination on the patient by physical check-up and MRI or magnetic resonance imaging.  The latter is a painless laboratory procedure in which a powerful magnetic and radio waves are used to produce a detailed image of the body’s internal structures and organs. 

A bulging neck disc may appear with an out-pouching but no relative herniation.  Treatments are given after professional medical practitioners are done checking out the condition and how mild or severe the bulging neck disc is.  Medications and treatments do vary from patient to patient.  In prescribing anything to relieve the resulting pain, factors such as the patient’s entire health condition and the intensity of the damage are considered very well.  In most cases, therapies and other conventional approaches work.  Treatments are basically manifested to reduce the pain than in directly treating the cause.  If the pain still persists longer than necessary even after thorough medications and non-surgical treatments, then surgery is the last option.  But the decision lies mainly between the attending physician and the patient.