Fact Checked
Cervical bulging disc is a condition where the vertebral disc bulges into the spinal canal and compress the nerve. Generally, disc bulges usually happen naturally with the aging of a person. In addition, the disc functions in cushioning the spaces between the cervical vertebrae and the bones protecting the spinal cord in the neck.
If it becomes damaged, it can bulge or herniate to the spinal canal and cause compression on the nerve.
Symptoms of a cervical bulging disc
- At first, weakness of the muscle
- Severe neck pain
- Loss of mobility
- Lastly, numbness and tingling sensations that spreads down the neck and into the shoulders and arms.
Causes
- Degenerative disc disease due to smoking and sedentary lifestyle.
- Natural aging process of a person or wear and tear of the vertebrae and disc
- Trauma or injury
- Bad posture such as improper standing, sitting and sleeping causes straining of the neck and back
- Repetitive bending, lifting, standing and driving
- Obese people and participating in contact sports
- A family history of disc disease
- Lastly, wearing shoes without orthopedic support while running
Treatment
- Use cold and heat therapy on the area. Generally, apply ice pack on the neck immediately for at least 20 minutes at a time on the first 2 days to lessen the pain and the swelling. Wrap ice pack in a towel or a thin cloth before placing to the area to prevent frostbite and worsen the condition. Apply heat on the area using warm compress. In addition, soak a towel in hot water as hot that can be tolerated and apply the towel on the neck to lessen the spasms of muscles. Taking a hot bath or shower is good for the condition.
- Massage the affected area to relieve of the pain and relaxes the area.
- Prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications to lessen the pain and the inflammation.
- After 2 days of icing, apply moist heat on the area to lessen the spasms of the muscles and relax the area. Generally, soak a towel in hot water as hot that can be tolerated and apply the towel on the neck. Taking a hot bath or shower is also good for the condition.
- Take plenty of rest. Lessen rotation of the neck or bad posture.
- Prescribed steroids and muscle relaxants to lessen the pain and other symptoms.
- Prescribed neck brace to support the area, prevent unnecessary movements and lessen the pain and the discomforts caused by cervical bulging disc.
- Perform flexion exercises or spinal extension exercises and varieties of stretching exercises with the help of the physical therapist to restore strength, flexibility and range of movement of the affected area.
- Main proper bending and lifting techniques and practice proper ergonomics when standing, bending and sitting to lessen the symptoms of bulging disc.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/what-is-a-herniated-cervical-disk#1
https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/herniated-disk-exercises