Expert: Dr. Man Tran, Ph.D., D.C., L.Ac. - 6/5/2009

Question
My aunt is  62 year old that has been having lower pack pain over the last two months. She has under gone MRI of her lumbar spine where it showed a disc bulge at L5-S1 that is 5mm causing her to have right foot pain. Is there any thing that could be done for her to once  more be active and walking pain free.

Answer
Hi Erika,

Usually when a disc bulges more than 4mm and causing some pain traveling to the foot or leg especially if motor deficit is involved, surgery may be the rout.  However, due to the age of your aunt, she may benefit from traction therapy of the low back to open up the pinched nerve trapped by the disc bulge.  She may get this traction therapy from most chiropractic office.