subject: 3 Bulged Disk Myths Uncovered [print this page] 3 Bulged Disk Myths Uncovered 3 Bulged Disk Myths Uncovered
Latest research studies had me thinking a lot lately. Up until now if your back hurt your first stop was the doctors office. After a series of questions and some basic checks, your next stop would most likely be imaging. MRI's have been the tool of choice for most doctors, to verify that pain was originating from a bulged disk or a herniated one.
That is up until now. If your doctor orders you to get an MRI, find a new physician. Yours has not been catching up on the latest research studies.
MRIs are WORTHLESS!!!! Your first myth uncovered.
"But the image shows a bulged disk at L4", you argue. So what. Welcome to the most common condition found in humans over the age of 25. Its called aging.
By the time you are sixty you have a ninety percent chance of having a bulged disk or spinal generative condition. Everyone has it. What this number also tells us is that a bulging disk, like wrinkles, is a normal aging process of our bodies. I have no research proof of this, but common sense usually beats the latest medical trends in the long run.
Second myth: Surgeries will get rid of your pain.
Wrong! In a the latest study released last month, a large group of chronic back pain sufferers who were in pain from a variety of back pain condition, such as bulged disk or herniated disks were randomly assigned either surgery or a regular treatment of exercise and physical therapy. Guess who did better? Actually the question is, guess what happens if you interfere with the normal process of nature.
That's right, pain. Much more pain than if you were to leave the condition alone. Along with much higher risks of disability, death, infections, not to mention days lost from work.
Surgeries according to this study are not recommended for back pain, especially for the common bulged disk.
Myth no. 3
Once you have back pain- it will always lurk in the back ground.
Well this is half way wrong. It will lurk in the background if you don't change your mindset, lifestyle, and behavior.
photo credit: tompagenet
The reason you experienced the back pain in the first place was not because you injured your back when you bent down to pick up the pencil. It's because, your body was sending a warning message to you.
Whether it is stress related, work related, relationship, excess weight, smoking, or lack of physical exercise, the warning bells went off. It could be a reason as simple as too many hours sitting in front of a screen for too long. ( Luckily I know how to sit correctly now ), or just plain lack of correct posture.
Pain is a warning system method. To get rid of the pain fix the problem.
