HERNIATED DISC IN NECK TREATMENT OPTIONS

Herniated comes from the word "hernia" which is a part of the body that bulges out through an abnormal opening.

Disc is the disk-shaped cushion known as the "intervertebral disc" that sits between the bones. This disc material gives your bones that soft gel like center cushion allowing you to easily flex and bend.

A Herniated Disc is the result of a rupture in the fibrous outer portion of a spinal disc. This forces the core to squeeze out, creating a disc herniation. Think of it like a jelly doughnut that gets squeezed causing the jelly to ooze out.

Herniated discs are most often caused by excessive stress being placed on the disc in your neck or back. Whether it is caused from heavy lifting, or other damaging motions, it can all happen at a moments notice when you least expect it.

Sometimes, pain and other symptoms can develop when a damaged disc pushes into the spinal canal or nerve root without you doing anything major to cause it.

What Are The 2 Biggest Problems?

PROBLEM #1 Most patients who are experiencing a disc herniation in their neck have found it difficult to lay down and sleep. This is due to them experiencing sharp back pain or neck pain when they lay down or roll over. Because of this, it sometimes less painful for them to sleep sitting up than trying to lay down in their natural sleeping position.

PROBLEM #2 Some patients have also experienced arm pain, numbness or muscle weakness in their arms making it difficult to pick things up or control their hands. They may also notice strong sudden feelings of tingling in their neck, back, or arms. Or perhaps a more painful feeling like being stuck with pins and needles all of a sudden.

It is these types of feelings that are caused by cervical herniated discs which can trigger nerve compression triggering pain all the way down to your nerve roots within your cervical spine. A herniated disc occurs when the gel like material ruptures within your discs through a tear in the disc wall. This gel like material causes irritation to your spinal nerves creating a chemical-like irritation.

In most cases, nonsurgical treatment alternatives to spine surgery may be used to help you relieve pain that comes from a herniated disc. One of the most common nonsurgical treatments is physical therapy.

In many cases, physical therapy can help reduce swelling between your discs and help reduce inflammation in your neck and arms without having to forgo spine surgery.

After forging therapy most people (even older people) can tell in a few days if it helped or not. The joints in your neck, arms and back should feel like fresh shock absorbers that move easily and freely without any pain.

But What If The Symptoms Continue?

If after forging physical therapy you are still experiencing the same pain in your neck, shoulders, arms or back, then it is recommended that you see a cervical herniated disc doctor about a more aggressive treatment plan.

We recommend you call and make an appointment with Dr. Sielatychi or Dr. Geddes to discuss your cervical herniated disc symptoms with them. They will listen to your situation and provide you with the best cervical herniated disc medical attention possible.

In many cases, after talking with them you will know if you simply have temporary pain from lifting a heavy object or if you have a much more serious condition that needs medical attention and what the risk factors might be.