The spinal column is made up of stacked bones. Between the bones are fibrous disks that act as cushions. In a healthy spine, the disks are the same size as the bones and line up properly. However, the disks sometimes bulge, or are herniated, outside of their normal space and compress the nerves that exit the spinal column. Bulging disks are most common in the lower back due to the mobility of the spine and the weight of the upper body. The most common causes are age, normal wear and tear, and poor postural support.
General Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms vary depending on the position and size of the bulge. If the disk is not pressing on a nerve, there may be no symptoms at all. If the bulge is large enough to compress a nerve, there may be pain, numbness or weakness in the area affected by the nerve.
Lumbar (Back) Signs and Symptoms
A bulging disk in the lumbar spine may compress the nerves that form the sciatic nerve, causing a condition known as sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, and runs from the hip to the sole of each foot. When the nerve becomes irritated, it causes pain, burning, tingling and/or numbness down the affected leg. Usually, only one leg is affected, as the disk may only bulge on one side. Sciatica may also produce pain in the buttocks and lower back; the pain is usually described as sharp, like an electric shock.
Cervical (Neck) Signs and Symptoms
Cervical bulging disks are not as common as lumbar disks, but they still occur. The patient may experience pain in the neck or between the shoulder blades. Because a bulging disk may irritate some of the nerves of the brachial plexus, the patient may also experience pain, numbness and/or tingling radiating down the affected arm and into the hand. Different head and neck movements may exacerbate the pain.
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