Disc bulge refers to a condition in which the intervertebral disc bulges out of its place. Intervertebral discs are like cushions present between vertebrae that act as shock absorbers and allow flexibility to the spine. Vertebrae are the bones in the back that make the spine. With advanced age and due to wear and tear or injury, the discs begin to degenerate with signs of dryness, and breakage. The disc degeneration leads to the disc bulging out and compressing the nerves coming out of the spinal cord.
Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for cases of disc bulge. Homeopathic medicines for disc bulge help to manage the symptoms effectively. Symptoms such as back / neck pain, sciatica, numbness, tingling in limbs get relieved wonderfully. Though the already prolapsed disc cannot be brought back to the original, homeopathic medicines surely help in halting further degeneration of the disc. In mainstream medicine, anti-inflammatory medicines and steroid injections are mainly given in such cases which provides temporary relief, and may also lead to side effects over a period of time. In homeopathy, the relief is long term with zero side effects.
In many cases surgery is recommended in disc bulge cases. But timely use of homeopathic medicines for the time period as suggested by a homeopathic doctor can help to save the patient from surgery. Surgery can be prevented in mild to moderate cases if homeopathic treatment is followed. The results may vary based on various factors, like duration of the complaint, severity of symptoms and patient’s response to medicines. However, in advanced and severe cases with severe intensity of symptoms or with serious symptoms or complications like cauda equine, conventional treatment needs to be taken as homeopathy has a limitation to offer help in such cases.
Homeopathic prescription in disc bulge cases is entirely based on the particular symptoms described by each patient. A homeopathic doctor notes down the case symptoms in detail followed by its evaluation. The medicine that matches the strongest with the symptoms of the person, is prescribed. Then, the dosage, potency and repetition are finalized that differs for each case depending on chronicity, age and severity of symptoms.
Homeopathic medicines for disc bulge cases are of natural origin. They work very gently to boost the self-healing mechanism of the body to overcome health issues.
Top 9 Homeopathic Medicines for Disc Bulge or Disc Prolapse
The top-ranking 9 homeopathic medicines that treat disc bulge or disc prolapse effectively are Rhus Tox, Colocynth, Magnesium Phos, Gnaphalium, Bryonia, Hypericum, Guaiacum Officinale, Paris Quadrifolia and Kalmia Latifolia.
1. Rhus Tox – Top Medicine For Disc Bulge With Lower Back Pain
Rhus Tox is the best and the most frequently recommended natural medicine to treat disc bulge in the lumbar region. It is a great medicine for lumbar disc bulge causing pain in the lower back. Those who need Rhus Tox, complain of pain in the lower back which gets worse if one sits for long hours. Lying down or any resting position also worsens the pain. Such individuals get relief from motion or by walking. Rhus Tox is also a wonderful medicine for relieving stiffness in the spine. The stiffness gets much worse after a period of rest and gets better by walking. The people who have pain in the lower back that gets worse by lifting heavy weight or from straining the back, can benefit greatly from Rhus Tox.
When to use Rhus Tox?
The use of Rhus Tox is mainly suggested to manage lumbar disc bulge with pain and stiffness in the lower back that worsens from rest and relief from movement.
How to use Rhus Tox?
Initially, Rhus Tox 30C can be used three to four times a day. Once relief starts the dose should be reduced.
2. Colocynth – For Lumbar Disc Bulge Causing Left Side Sciatica
To seek relief from sciatica pain, Colocynth is the best remedy. Colocynth is mainly prescribed for sciatica on the left side. Those who require Colocynth have severe pain in the lower back which extends down the left lower limb. The pain mostly gets better by applying pressure or heat application. The nature of the pain can be cramping, tearing, shooting or drawing in nature.
When to use Colocynth?
It is recommended to manage left sided sciatica in disc bulge cases with relief from pressure and warm applications over painful area.
How to use Colocynth?
Among its various potencies ranging from low to high, it is best to start with 30C potency two to three times a day.
3. Magnesium Phos – For Lumbar Disc Bulge Causing Right Side Sciatica
Magnesium Phos is the best homeopathic remedy to relieve sciatica of the right side. For using Magnesium Phos, sciatica pains can be of varying nature like stitching, shooting or cutting. It is beneficial when there is relief from sciatica pain by applying pressure or warmth.
When to use Magnesium Phos?
This remedy is best suited for cases of disc bulge with right-sided sciatica with relief setting in from pressure and warm application on affected parts.
How to use Magnesium Phos?
It works great in 6X potency that can be taken three to four times a day. To get best results, Magnesium Phos 6X tablets should be taken by dissolving in one fourth cup of hot water.
4. Gnaphalium – For Disc Prolapse Causing Sciatica Pains With Numbness
Gnaphalium is the top natural medicine to treat Sciatica pain accompanied by numbness. It is prescribed when the dominant complaint is of severe sciatica pains along with a feeling of numbness. Folding thighs towards the abdomen gives some relief. It is a remedy that is very beneficial for degenerative disc disease presenting itself with Sciatic nerve impingement, leading to pain and numbness.
When to use Gnaphalium?
Opt its use for managing sciatica pains attended with numbness.
How to use Gnaphalium?
It is advised to use Gnaphalium 30C once or twice a day.
5. Bryonia – For Lower Backache That Gets Better By Resting
Persons who have lower backache which gets better by taking rest will find natural remedy Bryonia of great help. Such persons experience worsening pain in the back from a slight movement or walking. Stiffness and rigidity also accompany pain in the back. The pain forces the patient to sit or walk in a bent posture. Such persons have difficulty in holding an upright position.
When to use Bryonia?
The most remarkable symptom guiding the use of this medicine is lower back pain worsening from slight movement and getting better from taking rest.
How to use Bryonia?
It can be used in 30C power two to three times in a day.
6. Hypericum – To Manage Numbness, Tingling In Legs
Hypericum is very beneficial to manage numbness and tingling in legs. Along with this, there is sharp pain in the legs. Pain may be felt in the lower back as well. The back may be very sensitive to touch. For disc bulge related to injury to the spine, Hypericum is the top most medicine.
When to use Hypericum?
This medicine proves effective in cases of disc bulge with numbness and tingling in legs along with lower back pain. It is also used as a first line of treatment when disc bulge occurs from an injury to the spine.
How to use Hypericum?
It works well in both low and high potencies. To start with, one can take this medicine in 30C power twice or thrice a day.
7. Guaiacum Officinale – To Manage Neck Pain
Guaiacum Officinale is highly effective when pain in the neck is present. Stiffness in the neck is also present. The shoulders may also be sore. In some cases, the stiffness radiates from the neck to the whole back on one side.
When to use Guaiacum Officinale?
This medicine is usually prescribed to manage pain and stiffness in the neck in cases of cervical disc bulge. The stiffness may extend to the entire back on one side.
How to use Guaiacum Officinale?
Among the various available potencies of Guaiacum Officinale, it is best to start with its 30C potency that can be taken once or twice a day as per the intensity of the problem.
8. Paris Quadrifolia – For Neck Pain With Numbness In Arms, Hands Or Fingers
Paris Quadrifolia is very suitable for managing pain in the neck accompanied with numbness in arms, hands or fingers. The pain from the neck extends to the fingers. This pain may worsen from exertion. A sensation of a heavy weight around the neck and shoulders may attend.
When to use Paris Quadrifolia?
The most striking feature to use this medicine in cervical disc bulge is pain in the neck attended with numbness in arms, hands or fingers.
How to use Paris Quadrifolia?
Its use can be done two to three times a day in 30C power.
9. Kalmia Latifolia – For Neck Pain and Numbness, Tingling, Pricking In Hands
Kalmia Latifolia offers help when pain from the neck radiates down the arms. It is attended by numbness, or tingling, pricking sensation in hands. Sometimes weakness is felt in the upper limbs.
When to use Kalmia Latifolia?
This medicine can be considered for managing pain in the neck radiating down arms along with numbness or tingling prickling sensations in hands.
How to use Kalmia Latifolia?
It is recommended to use this medicine in 30C potency one to two times in a day.
Most Commonly Involved Sites For Disc Bulge / Prolapse
Although the disc bulge can take place in any part of the spine, lumbar (refers to lower back disc) and cervical (refers to neck) regions are most frequently involved. In the case of lumbar disc bulge, 95 per cent of the bulge occurs at levels of L4-L5 or L5-S1. In the case of the cervical disc bulge, the common location is C5-C6 and C6-C7.
Symptoms Of Disc Bulge / Herniation / Prolapse
Symptoms from lumbar (lower back) disc bulge
1. Lower backache and sciatica: Lower back pain is the most common symptom. The pain from the lower back can radiate down the hips, thighs, legs, and even till the feet which is referred to as sciatica. Pain may get worse from sitting, standing, walking, coughing, sneezing, etc
2. Numbness, tingling, burning, weakness in the affected area. Weakness may affect gait leading to stumbling.
3. In severe cases, loss of bladder or bowel control may occur. It requires immediate medical help.
Symptoms From Cervical (Neck) Disc Bulge
1. Pain in the neck: The pain may extend from the neck to shoulders, arms and sometimes hands and fingers. Pain may get worse from neck movement.
2. Numbness, tingling or weakness may also accompany pain in the neck, and arms.
3. Weakness in arms affects ability to hold objects resulting in frequent falling of holded things
Cause Behind Disc Bulge / Herniation
The main reason behind disc bulge and herniation is wear and tear of discs that occur with age. As a part of this wear and tear, the discs dry out and there is reduced flexibility. Due to this, the disc is at a risk of tear and rupture even from the slightest strain.
An intervertebral disc has a tough outer layer called annulus fibrosus, and a soft gel-like center called the nucleus. In case of disc bulge, the inner gel-like center remains as such within the outer portion and the intact disc bulges out of this place. However, in case the outer layer of the disc gets torn that causes the center to herniate, then it is termed as herniated disc (also called slip disc or ruptured disc). In herniated disc, there is a partial crack in the outer layer of the disc. If a total crack in the disc’s outer layer causes the leakage of the inner gel-like material through that crack, it is termed prolapsed disc.
Risk Factors
There are certain factors that put a person at risk of disc bulge or disc prolapse as follows:
1. Aging
2. Occupation involving lifting weights, pulling or pushing objects regularly
3. Suddenly twisting or straining the back
4. Obesity and excessive body weight
5. Lifting heavy objects with bent waist
6. Back injury / trauma, fall or a blow on back may cause disc bulge in rare cases
7. Driving for long hours regularly put pressure on back and raises the risk
8. Rest of risk factors includes a family history of disc bulge, smoking (reduce oxygen supply to discs causing disc degeneration) and sitting for prolonged hours daily with little to no physical activity
Complications
1. Saddle anaesthesia: Compression of nerves by disc bulge may lead to loss of sensation in inner thighs, back of legs and around rectum.
2. Cauda equine syndrome: Spinal cord ends above the waist. At the end of the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves called cauda equina (resembling the tail of a horse) are present. If the disc bulge compresses this nerve set, it is called cauda equina syndrome. This condition is a medical emergency needing immediate medical help. If not treated well in time, it may cause loss of bladder or bowel control, permanent weakness or paralysis of legs.
Investigations To Diagnose Disc Bulge
1. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): It is the most commonly used investigation to diagnose cases of disc bulge / herniation. It will confirm disc bulge and its location in suspected cases.
2. X-ray: Though X- ray cannot detect disc prolapse, it may be recommended to rule out other causes of backache (fracture, tumor for example)
3. CT scan (computed tomography): With the help of CT scan, X-rays will be taken from different directions of the spine and structures around it
4. Myelogram: CT scan is done after injecting a dye in the spinal fluid. This will detect pressure on the nerves from disc prolapse.
