Question
What is a buldging disc and how is it different than a herniated disc?  

Answer
Hi Kathy,
Thanks so much for your question.

A bulging disk occurs naturally from age-related wear and tear of the spine with use. It is almost always painless. A bulging disk may be discovered incidentally on computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done for some other reason. A bulging disk doesn't require treatment.

The same wear and tear that causes bulging can allow the softer, central cartilage of the disk to protrude through a crack in the fibrous ring that surrounds the disk. Doctors refer to this protrusion as a herniated disk. This can be painful. Treatment of a herniated disk may include rest, pain medications, cortisone injections, heat or cold therapy and surgery.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me anytime.

Thanks again,
John McKinzie