A bulging disc in the neck can disrupt your life, making it hard to enjoy time with your family or get through a day at work. The condition typically is a result of the natural aging process, which causes the spinal discs to weaken and lose elasticity. Pressure from the surrounding vertebrae can cause a weakened disc in the cervical (upper) spine to bulge out of its normal position and potentially cause painful compression of spinal nerves.

If you are suffering from a bulging disc in the neck, the good news is that you can often live comfortably with this condition by following your doctor’s treatment advice and making necessary lifestyle changes. The following information can give you a better understanding of the condition as well as all of the therapeutic options available to you.

Symptoms of a bulging disc in the neck

A bulging disc only causes symptoms when displaced disc material comes into contact with the spinal cord or a nerve root. Those who have a symptomatic bulging disc in the neck often experience:

• Pain at the site of the nerve compression
• Pain that radiates along the nerve, such as into the arms or hands
• Muscle weakness and spasms
• Numbness
• Tingling

These symptoms are usually experienced in the neck, upper back, shoulders, arms and hands for patients living with a bulging disc in the cervical spine.

Finding relief

There are a number of nonsurgical treatments that can provide relief if you are diagnosed with a bulging disc in the neck. Some of the most commonly recommended include anti-inflammatory drugs, hot/cold therapy, physical therapy, moderate exercise and periods of rest. Some patients may choose to complement their conservative treatments with alternative therapies such as chiropractic adjustment, deep tissue massage or restorative yoga. It is important to consult with your doctor when exploring any new forms of treatment.

USA Spine Care

In the event that several weeks or months of conservative treatment fail to provide relief, your doctor may recommend surgery for a bulging disc in the neck. Thanks to muscle-sparing techniques, the board-certified surgeons at USA Spine Care are able to perform minimally invasive spine surgery on an outpatient basis that offers many benefits when compared to traditional open neck or back surgery.

Contact us to learn more and for a no-cost MRI review to help you find out if you are a candidate for one of our procedures that have helped more than 60,000 find relief from neck or back pain.