How is a cervical herniated disc treated?
How is a cervical herniated disc treated?
Most cases of cervical herniated disc pain can be successfully managed with nonsurgical treatments, such as over-the-counter pain medications, physical therapy to strengthen and stretch the neck, ice or heat packs, and/or activity modifications to avoid painful movements until the pain has subsided.
Do cervical disc herniations heal?
Over time, the herniation tends to shrink and you may experience partial or complete pain relief. In most cases, if neck and/or arm pain is going to resolve it will do so in about 6 weeks.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in your neck?
A herniated disc in the neck can cause neck pain, radiating arm pain, shoulder pain, and numbness or tingling in the arm or hand. The quality and type of pain can vary from dull, aching, and difficult to localize to sharp, burning, and easy to pinpoint.
When does a cervical herniated disc need surgery?
Surgery for cervical radiculopathy from a herniated disc should only be considered in those cases when 6 to 12 weeks of nonsurgical treatment fails to relieve neurological deficits in the arm, such as pain, numbness, and/or weakness.
Can a herniated disc in neck get worse?
When cervical radiculopathy is caused by a herniated disc, the pain can be even worse than when it is caused by a cervical osteophytes (bone spur) or bony overgrowth.
How should I sleep with a herniated disc in my neck?
If you can commit to a more drastic change, the best sleeping position for your herniated disc pain may be your back. Sleeping on your back helps keep the spine in neutral alignment. If your pain is still relatively intense, try placing a pillow under your knees and low back for added comfort.
How long does it take a cervical herniated disc to heal?
In most cases cervical disc herniations improve with time and symptomatic treatment. This can take 6-12 weeks. Improvement is usually seen within 2-3 weeks and full recovery in the ensuing 2-3 months.
Is a cervical herniated disc permanent?
Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).
Does herniated disc in neck require surgery?
If you or a loved one is experiencing neck pain and/or arm pain, numbness, or weakness, surgical treatment such as cervical herniated disc surgery may be appropriate for your condition.
Is a herniated disc in the neck serious?
In some patients, a cervical herniated disc can cause spinal cord compression, where disc material pushes on the spinal cord. This is a much more serious condition and may require a more aggressive treatment plan. Spinal cord compression symptoms include: Awkward or stumbling gait.
What should you not do with a herniated disc in your neck?
If a disc is pressing on the nerve in your neck and producing symptoms of neck pain with arm pain, numbness, tingling and weakness then the most important thing to do is avoid all high impact and high velocity activities involving the neck, such as jogging, basketball, football, jumping, high-impact aerobics.
What is the best pillow for herniated disc in neck?
7 Pillows to help with neck pain
- Epabo Memory Orthopedic Pillow. The Epabo Memory Orthopedic Pillow features an ergonomic contour that may suit back and side sleepers.
- Tri-Core Cervical Support Pillow.
- Purple Harmony Pillow.
- TEMPUR-Neck Pillow.
- TEMPUR-Essential Support Pillow.
- Mediflow Water Pillow.
- Hullo Buckwheat Pillow.