Between each vertebrae in your neck sit gel-like discs that help to absorb pressure and provide flexibility and support to the region. However, because of all the stress they handle and due to the natural aging process, these discs can shrink, degenerate and even shift out of place, compressing nearby nerves. When a spinal disc first starts to become misshapen as a result of stress and pressure, this is known as a bulging disc. Some bulging discs are asymptomatic, while others are downright painful, and oftentimes they’ll get worse unless active treatments are pursued.
So how can you fight back against bulging discs in your neck? Below, we take a closer look at the best ways to treat a bulging disc in your neck.
Causes And Symptoms Of Cervical Bulging Discs
Bulging discs can occur anywhere along the spine, and they tend to occur for one of two main reasons. Bulging discs are oftentimes worsened or caused by:
- Acute Injury – Acute trauma to the area can damage a disc and cause it to bulge or herniate. Whiplash injuries during a car accident or direct trauma to the area can either cause a disc problem or weaken the area so that you are more susceptible to disc problems later in life.
- Repetitive Motion – The other underlying cause of bulging or herniated discs is typically the result of repetitive motion. If you’re constantly hunched forward looking at your phone or your work computer, you’re putting excess pressure on your cervical spine. If you work manual labor and you’re twisting, moving and bending your neck frequently, and you work this job for decades, you’re at a heightened risk for disc issues. Posture problems and repetitive strain on the neck also contributes to bulging spinal discs.
As we noted above, bulging discs aren’t always painful because the deformed disc may retain enough of its shape to avoid irritating nearby spinal nerves. That said, a bulging disc can certainly present with symptoms. The most common symptoms associated with a bulging disc in your neck include:
- Pain
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of flexibility
- Numbness
- Tingling, Aching or burning sensation
- Symptoms that present in your arms or hands
Diagnosing And Treating Bulging Discs In The Neck
If you’re dealing with any of the above symptoms, or you suffered trauma to the neck area, it’s worthwhile to set up an appointment with a spine specialist like Dr. Jackman. During your initial consultation, your specialist will review your medical history and talk to you about your neck discomfort, including how the injury occurred, what types of symptoms you’re experiencing and what actions serve to improve or exacerbate symptoms.
Next, they’ll move forward with a physical assessment. Your doctor will examine the area and may carefully manipulate your neck to see how the area responds to movement. They may also ask you to perform some movements on your own. Finally, in order to truly understand what’s going on in your neck and spine, your specialist will likely order imaging tests. If a bone issue is suspected, an X-ray may be ordered, but if soft tissue damage is suspected, your doctor may order an MRI, CT scan or ultrasound.
With the help of your physical exam and imaging tests, your doctor will likely be able to determine the location and extent of your bulging disc. And while treatment may vary from patient to patient, odds are they’ll recommend a combination of some of the following conservative techniques to see how your neck responds: rest, anti-inflammatory medications, gentle stretching techniques, physical therapy and ice/heat therapy. Rest combined with targeted physical therapy tends to provide the best results, but each patient will vary.
For more severe cases, oral steroids or steroid injections can provide relief and make it easier to pursue physical therapy. Surgery isn’t typically considered until the disc herniates, as bulging discs tend to respond well to nonoperative methods. Only about 10 percent of bulging discs will eventually progress to the point where surgery is required.
For more information about bulging or herniated discs in the neck region, or to talk to a specialist about a different spinal issue, give Dr. Jackman and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
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