Herniated Cervical Disc

When a herniated disc in the neck is discovered, the first symptom is usually pain in the neck. Exactly how the pain feels can vary from person to person, for example, it can be a burning or stabbing pain, but it can also be a nagging and persistent sensation. Other symptoms may include pain, tingling or numbness in the arms and shoulders. A herniated disc in the neck means that a disc between two neck vertebrae has ruptured and is pinching the nerves there. The cause of herniated discs is still a bit unclear, but there seems to be a genetic predisposition. It is common for discs to rupture and many times you won't even have any symptoms at all, it will heal on its own.

As it is unclear why and how herniated discs occur, it is also difficult to give tips on how to prevent them. However, a herniated disc is not something you should fear. It usually heals by itself, but in really severe cases, surgery may be needed. For most people, painkillers are usually sufficient during the acute phase of the pain, as well as strengthening their muscles through exercise. In some cases, a chiropractor or naprapath can also help by softening the surrounding joints as they can often become stiff when you walk and tense up from the pain. Rest when you need to, but still try to move around as much as possible.

If you have a herniated disc in your neck, it is good to stay physically active to strengthen the muscles in your back and neck, but you should do so carefully. Exercising with an exercise band/rubber band is a gentle and soft form of exercise that is ideal for this type of injury. It can also be nice to use a liniment or a warming cream to lubricate the neck, as the muscles near the broken disc can often become quite stiff. Kinesio tape adapted for the neck can also help so that the muscles that want to compensate for the broken disc do not become too overloaded and exhausted. For extra support, it can be beneficial to use a backrest.