Symptoms Of A Bulging Disc In The Neck

By Patrick Foote

A bulging disc in the neck, or cervical area of the spine, won’t necessarily cause pain. In fact, millions of people have the condition and never know it. The misshapen portion of the disc wall usually must compress the spinal cord or a nerve root for a bulging disc in the cervical spine to cause symptoms, which could include:

— Localized pain in the cervical region

— Headaches

— Radiating pain down the shoulders, arms, and hands

— Possible tingling and/or numbness that travels down the arms or hands

— Muscle weakness, cramps, and/or spasms in the neck, shoulders, and arms

In addition, a bulging disc in the neck might also cause severe body weakness or paralysis. Furthermore, if the tough outer wall of a disc tears and irritates the tiny nerves that feed into it, pain in the disc itself may result.

Treatments

Your doctor may recommend a regimen of conservative, or non-invasive, methods to begin treating a bulging disc in the neck. For example, he or she may suggest that you take over-the-counter or prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Starting physical therapy with a trained professional may also help you manage symptoms. Physical therapy could include low impact exercises for increased blood flow and weight control, strength training workouts to improve core muscle strength, and body mechanics analysis and correction to improve posture and spinal alignment. Additional conservative treatments might involve the use of cold or heat therapies, to reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension, respectively.

Is Surgery An Option?

Undergoing a surgical procedure to treat a bulging disc in the neck is rarely necessary. Many medical professionals agree that, in the majority of cases, bulging disc symptoms will subside after several weeks or months of conservative treatments. Your doctor may only ask you to consider a surgical procedure if non-invasive treatments have failed to relieve your pain and/or other symptoms, and your symptoms have become so severe that they interfere with your ability to function in your daily life.

Learning More about Bulging Discs

One of the best ways to understand and find relief from the symptoms of a bulging disc in your neck is to thoroughly educate yourself about the condition and how it develops. As mentioned above, symptoms may occur when displaced disc material compresses a nerve root or the spinal cord, but how does this bulge occur? There are several causes associated with the development of a bulging disc; however, the main cause is usually age. As we grow older, the intervertebral discs begin to succumb to the constant pressures of a body that’s standing, sitting, walking, running, twisting, lifting, and performing the everyday tasks of life. Sandwiched in between two vertebrae, each disc is continually pressed on both sides in various directions, and this takes a toll on the structural integrity of the disc. Eventually, the disc can press out beyond its normal borders, almost like a hamburger that’s too large for its bun.

The resulting nerve pain from a bulging disc can range from mild to severe, but can often radiate along the length of the affected neural structure. Consulting with your physician, as well as researching the condition and your specific symptoms, may help you discover techniques that can allow you to manage your bulging disc symptoms and avoid future flare ups.

About the Author: Patrick Foote is the Director of eBusiness at Laser Spine Institute, the leader in endoscopic spine surgery. Laser Spine Institute specializes in safe and effective outpatient procedures for

bulging discs

and several other spinal conditions.

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