A herniated disc in the neck involves a rupture in the fibrous outer wall (annulus fibrosus) of one of the intervertebral discs that cushion the cervical vertebrae. The inner disc material (nucleus pulposus) can then seep through the tear and press against one or more nearby spinal nerves. While many cases of cervical herniated discs remain completely asymptomatic, feelings of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness may spread through the neck, shoulders, arms, hands, and/or fingers if nerve compression does occur. These symptoms can make the simplest daily activities, like reading a newspaper or turning your head to check for oncoming traffic, unbearable. If you think you may be suffering from a cervical disc herniation, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. He or she will be able to confirm a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate treatment regimen.

Conservative Treatments for a Herniated Disc in the Neck

The initial course of treatment for a herniated disc in the neck will likely involve prescription or over-the-counter medication to ease the pain, such as analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Your doctor may also suggest other conservative, non-invasive treatments, like physical therapy, hot/cold compresses, behavior modification, spine bracing, gentle stretching, and low-impact exercise. More targeted pain management techniques could also be possible, such as:

– Corticosteroid injections
– Pain patches
– TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
– Ultrasound therapy

Alternative Treatments for a Herniated Disc in the Neck

Some patients have found that alternative therapies, also referred to as holistic remedies, offer a beneficial complement to their conservative treatment regimen. These therapies take a whole-body approach to pain relief and the healing process. Ask your doctor about his or her opinion regarding the efficacy of acupuncture, acupressure, massage, chiropractic manipulation, yoga, herbal remedies, and meditation as they relate to your neck pain and other symptoms.

Surgical Treatments for a Cervical Herniated Disc

The good news about a herniated disc is that surgery is rarely required. Most patients are able to manage their symptoms with a combination of the above methods, and this may provide sufficient pain relief for them to continue with their daily activities. There is also the chance that a herniated disc will heal on its own through a process called resorption, during which the extruded disc material that is compressing a spinal nerve is actually broken down and reabsorbed by the body.

In the event that, despite several weeks or months of conservative treatments, your neck pain persists or worsens, your doctor may suggest that you consider the option of herniated disc surgery. One type of procedure is a discectomy with spinal fusion, which involves the removal of the disc that is causing neural compression. Once the disc has been removed, a bone graft is inserted into the space between the vertebrae and stabilizing rods and screws are used to fasten both vertebrae and the graft in place. The goal is to facilitate the growth of one solid segment of bone, which eliminates the risk of future herniation at that level of the spine and immobilizes that section so that it cannot cause more neural compression. Drawbacks of this procedure are that it is a highly invasive operation that requires hospitalization and general anesthesia. The recovery process can be long and arduous, not to mention the fact that you will no longer enjoy full mobility at the fused level of the spine.

Author Bio: 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 the treatment of herniated discs and several other spinal conditions.

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: Herniated disc