14/02/2025
Disc Bulges & Pain: What You See Isn’t Always What You Feel!
Medical imaging is a great tool, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. Many people have disc bulges without any pain, while others experience discomfort with no significant findings on their scans.
Pain is complex—it’s not just about what’s visible on an MRI or X-ray. That’s why clinical assessment, movement, and overall function matter just as much (if not more) than what an image shows.
If you’ve been told you have a disc bulge, don’t panic! Focus on what your body is telling you, not just the scan.
❌ No, your back isn't f*cked.
📌 And yes, structures of the spine (including the discs) CAN contribute to your pain experience and symptoms!
But...
👍🏼 You should know that you CAN also live completely normally and pain free even WITH disc bulges present in your spine
⁉️ How?
💯 Well, to keep things short, tissue changes, injury, and/or pathology are NOT directly linked to pain
🤯 You can have pain in the presence of injury, but you can also have pain WITHOUT it!
🏃🏻 That's why people can sprain their ankle in a game and continue to play on it even with multiple torn ligaments, or continue to fight in a battle after half a leg has been blown off, or have multiple bruises on the body and never remember how they even got there (those are just a FEW EXAMPLES)
😫 It's also why someone pinching you can hurt a lot without causing any actual tissue damage , or why stress or lack of sleep can make your upper back and shoulders ache really bad, or why even the thought of unpleasant memories/experiences can make things hurt worse
😯 And it's also why this many people (based off of a study of 3110 individuals from 1946 to 2014) can have disc bulges present in their spine but WITHOUT PAIN or dysfunction!
⁉️ The take away?
💯 Disc bulges seem to be more highly correlated with NORMAL AGING than with pathology/dysfunction
👨🏻As the authors of this study summarized:
"Imaging findings of spine degeneration are present in high proportions of asymptomatic individuals, increasing with age. Many imaging-based degenerative features are likely part of normal aging and unassociated with pain. These imaging findings must be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical condition."
✅ So, like I said earlier, having a disc bulge or bulges in your spine does NOT mean you're doomed to a life of pain and misery
🙌🏼 Disc bulges CAN HEAL, and even if they don't fully resolve, your pain and symptoms can!
-----
✅ Check out my "𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠" in my app at a discount by using the l!nk at the top of my page .caleb.burgess
🗓 Or apply to 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗘 𝟭-𝗢𝗡-𝟭 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 with a customized program by using the same l!nk!
-----
Reference:
📚 Brinjikji et al (2015), Systematic Literature Review of Imaging Features of Spinal Degeneration in Asymptomatic Populations
-----
-----
🚨 DISCLAIMER: The information on this page is designed for general knowledge and informational purposes only and is in no way intended to generally or specifically treat, diagnose, prevent or cure any condition. The information on this page is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your doctor or primary care provider. Do not rely on this page for assistance in regard to your immediate, urgent medical needs
