Friday, January 15, 2010

What Causes A Bulging Disc

A bulging disc is also called a slipped, ruptured or herniated disc, and can occur in any of the discs (vertebrae) of your spine. The symptoms of a bulging disc include pain in your back, arms and legs; muscle spasms and numbness or tingling in your extremities. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, the causes of a bulging disc include age and back injuries.








Age


As you get older, the disks in your back become sharper and can break through the lining and press on your spinal nerves, resulting in pain.


Arthritis


Arthritis in the bones of your back can cause inflammation that pushes a disc out of its normal position, and this condition is common in the upper back and neck.


Injury


A fall or injury from an auto accident can cause one of your spinal discs to move from its normal position, resulting in a bulging disk.


Lifting


Using improper techniques when lifting a large or heavy package can result in bulging of one of your disks, usually in your lower back.


Overweight


Being overweight or having extra pressure on your back as a result of pregnancy can shift the disks of your spine and cause them to bulge.


Posture


Wearing high heels, slouching or even sleeping on your stomach can change your posture enough that disks in your back may bulge out of position.

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