A bulging disc - l5s1 can be one of the most frustrating conditions for a person to live with. Not only is it very painful, it can also be very disabling and lead to an inability to perform even the simplest of activities.

This article will discuss what a herniated disc l5-s1 is, the symptoms that are most commonly associated with it, as well as some helpful tips you can do from home for relief.

But before we get into all the details, let’s briefly discuss what the discs of the spine are, which is important for understanding the rest of this article. The discs of the spine are cushions that separate each set of bones that make up the spine.

Each disc is composed of two main parts – a strong outer covering called the annulus, and a soft jelly center called the nucleus. The jelly center is very important, because this is where the discs of the spine store oxygen and nutrition for proper healing if there is ever an injury.

In fact, if you’ve been dealing with l5 s1 back disc pain, you’ve probably heard your doctor say that this problem is very stubborn and doesn’t heal very easily. This is because the discs of the spine do not have a very good blood supply, which normally transports oxygen and nutrients to an injured area for healing. This is why it’s important to keep the nucleus in the center of the disc healthy, because it is the main source of oxygen and nutrients for the disc.

A bulging disc is when the annulus tears, and the jelly in the center of the disc begins to shift through the weak area. This creates a bulge in the disc, which applies pressure to the nerves of the spine, leading to the pain that this problem is known for.

In fact, the symptoms a person may have from a herniated disc l5-s1 goes far beyond low back pain, because of the nerves that are affected. You may also have pain traveling down the legs, weakness in the legs, and even problems with the bowel and bladder.

Unfortunately, many of the treatments a doctor will recommend for this condition are not as effective as one might like them to be. Most physicians will prescribe medications (such as pain relievers and muscle relaxers), pain injections (such as cortisone and epidurals), physical therapy, and even surgery as a last resort.

Although these treatments may be effective for a short period of time, they often do not provide long term relief for l5 s1 back disc pain because their focus is primarily on numbing the aggravated nerve – they do nothing to correct the source of the problem, which is the bulging disc.

I’m going to give you three simple tips that you can use for relief from your l5 s1 back disc pain, which usually provides longer term results.

First, it’s very important that you use ice when you are experiencing pain. Apply the ice over the lower back (even if your pain travels to another location – you need to get to the source of the problem, which is in the spine), and leave it on for 15 minutes or until you feel numbness, whichever comes first. Repeat the ice treatment every hour.

Consistency is the key with ice – it will take 3 or 4 treatments before you feel any difference, but if you stick with it, most people can tell a big difference in their pain within 3 days.

Never use heat when you are suffering with l5 s1 back disc pain! This is so important because heat will draw more blood to the injured area, leading to excessive swelling and pressure on the aggravated nerve. Always stick with ice, and you’ll experience relief much faster.

My next tip is that you bounce on a therapy ball. This may sound silly at first, but this exercise is incredibly useful for a person dealing with a herniated disc l5-s1. Simply sit on a therapy ball (which is one of those large balls you see in health clubs or physical therapy clinics), and gently bounce up and down for 5 minutes every day.

The reason this is so useful will pump new oxygen and nutrients into the damaged disc, which results in faster healing. You may find this exercise painful at first, so if you do, discontinue this exercise until some of your pain has been relieved from the ice.

My final piece of advice for now is that you be conscious of your sleeping position. A person dealing with a herniated disc l5-s1 should always sleep in one of two positions: on your back with a couple of pillows under your knees to elevate the legs, or on your side with a pillow between the knees.

These two positions alleviate pressure from the spine while you sleep, which allows the disc to heal more quickly.

You can also click here (bulging disc - l5s1) for more tips about the most effective treatments for your condition.

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