what is the best treatment for a cervical herniated disc

Many other treatments may provide some relief from a cervical herniated disc, such as:

• Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice for 15 or 20 minutes at a time may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. ...
• Cervical traction. A mechanical device is strapped to the head and used to gently lift upward and stretch the cervical spine. ...
• Massage therapy. ...

Full Answer

What are the best treatment options for a herniated disc?

• Physical therapy, exercise and gentle stretching to help relieve pressure on the nerve root
• Ice and heat therapy for pain relief
• Manipulation (such as chiropractic manipulation)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or COX-2 inhibitors for pain relief
• Narcotic pain medications for pain relief

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How long for herniated disc to heal without surgery?

How long such an injury can take to heal without surgery can be different from person to person. However, it’s common for herniated discs to heal in four to six weeks on average, and most of them heal without surgery. Unfortunately, there are factors that can increase how long your herniated disc takes to heal.

How to heal a herniated disc naturally?

The following supplements are also beneficial for herniated disc treatment:

• Omega-3 fish oil supplement — 1,000–2,000 milligrams a day — or a fish roe supplement ( 4)
• MSM supplement, a sulfur-containing supplement that helps with joint repair ( 5, 6)
• Glucosamine and chondroitin ( 7)
• Anti-inflammatory herbs, such as turmeric (curcumin), help heal and repair damaged tissues ( 8)

Can a herniated disc be healed without surgery?

Yes, you can heal a herniated disc without surgery. However, what is defined as natural does not entail just carrying on with one’s life as if the herniated disc is not there. Unfortunately, this doesn’t actually treat the disc, it simply masks the pain.

How serious is a herniated disc in the neck?

When a Cervical Herniated Disc Is Serious. Rarely, a cervical herniated disc's signs and symptoms may gradually feel worse rather than eventually stabilizing and resolving on its own. If a cervical nerve root remains pinched or inflamed, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness may progress in the arm.

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.

How long does it take for 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.

Can a cervical herniated disc heal without surgery?

The good news is that the vast majority of herniated discs can be treated without surgery using manual therapy and exercise or with IDD Therapy disc treatment. It is only a small percentage of cases which go on to have surgery.

How do you treat a C5 C6 herniated disc?

This treatment will likely involve being prescribed medication such as steroids for inflammation, injections, physical therapy, disc surgery, or spinal-fusion surgery. These treatment forms do little to address the condition's underlying cause, often offer only short-term pain relief, and are invasive.

What are the symptoms of a herniated disc in the neck C5 C6?

Symptoms of c5-c6 disc herniation can include numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, problems with vision, and more.

How should I sleep with a herniated disc in my neck?

The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.

What is the fastest way to heal a herniated disc?

How to heal a herniated disc quicklyAlternate applying heat and cold.Stay as active as you can. Take walks to avoid becoming too stiff from resting too often.Try alternative treatments like acupuncture, massage, or chiropractic.

Can a chiropractor fix a herniated disc in neck?

Luckily, chiropractic care can help treat the symptoms of disc protrusion and herniation.

Does steroid injections help herniated disc in neck?

Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and can be effective when delivered directly into the painful area. Unfortunately, the injection does not make a herniated disc smaller; it only works on the spinal nerves by flushing away the proteins that cause swelling.

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.

How is C6/C7 herniated disc treated?

C6-C7 Herniated Disc Recovery Time For minor symptoms, non-surgical procedures might be sufficient. These include physical therapy, better posture, or pain-reducing over-the-counter medication. For major cases, surgery becomes a necessary course of action and injections or several surgical procedures can be conducted.

What is a Cervical Herniated Disc?

The cervical region of your spine is made up of a series of the seven vertebrae that lie between the base of your skull to roughly the level of the top of your shoulders. Each of these vertebrae (and the ones below, too) have a disc of springy tissue between each one.

Treating the Cervical Herniated Disc

If you suspect you may be suffering from a cervical herniated disc it is important that you seek out help and diagnosis. While in some cases the injury will heal on its own with rest and a modified routine, others will require treatment, including both surgical and non-surgical methods. These include:

The Right Surgery for You

Both of the above surgeries have their advantages. In the case of posterior cervical microdiscectomy, it allows for a quick recovery time with a minimally invasive technique used. Because the muscles are not cut, but rather moved apart for this surgery, there is a much shorter recovery time and less pain and blood loss associated.

Recovering from Cervical Herniated Disc Surgery

While each person recovers from surgery at their own rate, generally, both of the above surgeries tend to have shorter recovery times than more invasive surgeries. In the case of both, muscle and other structures are not compromised, meaning healing times are much shorter.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

As with anything concerning your health and well-being, choosing the best possible surgeon and the most appropriate treatments will help ensure a positive outcome. When you’re seeking a surgeon, make sure they have a great deal of experience performing the particular surgery you’re undergoing.

What is the procedure to remove a herniated disk?

Surgery. Diskectomy is the surgical removal of the damaged portion of a herniated disk in your spine. A herniated disk occurs when some of the softer material inside the disk pushes out through a crack in the tougher exterior. This can irritate or compress nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness or weakness.

What tests are needed for a herniated disk?

In most cases of herniated disk, a physical exam and a medical history are all that's needed for a diagnosis. If your doctor suspects another condition or needs to see which nerves are affected, he or she may order one or more of the following tests.

What test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected

This test can be used to confirm the location of the herniated disk and to see which nerves are affected. Myelogram . A dye is injected into the spinal fluid before X-rays are taken. This test can show pressure on your spinal cord or nerves due to multiple herniated disks or other conditions.

How to treat low back pain?

Spinal manipulation has been found to be moderately effective for low back pain that has lasted for at least a month. Rarely, chiropractic treatment of the neck can cause certain types of strokes. Acupuncture. Although results are usually modest, acupuncture appears to ease chronic back and neck pain. Massage.

Can a surgeon remove a disk?

Loss of bladder or bowel control. In nearly all cases, surgeons can remove just the protruding portion of the disk. Rarely, the entire disk must be removed. In these cases, the vertebrae may need to be fused with a bone graft.

Can you take codeine for disk herniation?

Because of the side effects of opioids and the potential for addiction, many doctors hesitate to prescribe them for disk herniation. If other medication doesn't relieve your pain, your doctor might consider short-term use of opioids, such as codeine or an oxycodone-acetaminophen combination (Percocet, Roxicet).

How to help a cervical herniated disc?

Avoiding specific movements that worsen pain, such as turning head to one side. Modifying sleep positions, such as by changing the pillow and/or sleeping on the back instead of the side or stomach. Watch: Pillows and Positions for Easing Neck Pain Video. Rest tends to help a cervical herniated disc become less painful.

What is the best treatment for a herniated disc?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs) help to reduce inflammation in the body. Since some of the worst pain caused by a herniated disc comes from inflammation of nerve roots and other tissues. Over-the-counter NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve, Motrin) are commonly the first medications recommended.

How to treat a herniated disc?

Many other treatments may provide some relief from a cervical herniated disc, such as: 1 Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice for 15 or 20 minutes at a time may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Some people may find applying heat for 15 or 20 minutes at a time also offers relief. Whether applying ice or heat, allow 2 hours between applications to reduce the risk for skin damage. 2 Cervical traction. A mechanical device is strapped to the head and used to gently lift upward and stretch the cervical spine. The goal is to reduce pressure on the discs and nerve roots. Some people experience pain relief during traction but others do not. If traction provides relief, some patients may opt for a home device to perform the treatment on their own. 3 Massage therapy. A gentle massage may provide some relief by helping to loosen muscles, increase blood flow, and promote relaxation. If a massage worsens pain, stop immediately.

What is the purpose of a cervical herniated disc injection?

The goal of an injection for a cervical herniated disc is to place the medication directly where it needs to be without damaging any critical structures within the spine, such as nerve roots, blood vessels , or the spinal cord . Two common injections for cervical herniated discs include:

What is the most common injection for herniated discs?

This injection is by far the most common one used for herniated discs. Watch: Cervi cal Epidural Steroid Injection Video. Selective nerve root injection.

What to do if neck pain radiates down?

If the neck pain is severe and/or radiates down into the arm or hand, a short period of rest and/or activity modification is advised. Some examples may include: Refraining from strenuous activities, such as physical labor or playing sports. Avoiding specific movements that worsen pain, such as turning head to one side.

How to reduce inflammation in the cervix?

Ice or heat therapy. Applying ice for 15 or 20 minutes at a time may help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Some people may find applying heat for 15 or 20 minutes at a time also offers relief. Whether applying ice or heat, allow 2 hours between applications to reduce the risk for skin damage. Cervical traction.

How to treat a herniated disc?

Some exercises can help improve the symptoms of a herniated disc. A physical therapist can teach you which ones strengthen the muscles that support your back. Physical therapy programs also include: 1 Stretching exercises to keep your muscles flexible 2 Aerobic exercises -- such as walking or riding a stationary bicycle 3 Massage 4 Ice and heat 5 Ultrasound therapy 6 Electrical muscle stimulation

How to protect your spine from a herniated disk?

To protect your spine and prevent another herniated disk, you should always sit and stand up straight. If you have to stand for a long period of time , rest one foot on a stool or box to take pressure off your back. Be careful when you lift anything heavy. Squat from your knees to pick it up.

How long does it take for a herniated disk to heal?

Most people with a herniated disk don't need surgery. Rest and other treatments should start to improve your symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks. But if your pain doesn’t improve, surgery might be an option. Talk to your doctor about surgery if: You’re not getting relief from pain relievers, injections, and physical therapy.

What is the bone that is removed from a herniated disc?

Sometimes your surgeon will also need to remove a small piece of bone called the lamina from the vertebra. The lamina forms a protective cover over your spinal cord. Removing part or all of it helps the surgeon access your herniated disk. It also can relieve pressure on your nerves and eliminate leg pain and sciatica.

What is the best medicine for back spasms?

And nerve pain medicines, such as amitriptyline ( Elavil, Vanatrip ), duloxetine ( Cymbalta ), ...

What is the procedure called when you have two disks in your back?

This is called spinal fusion . Fusing the two disks will stop the bones from moving and prevent you from having any more pain. Artificial disk surgery. Only a few people are good candidates for artificial disk surgery because it only works on certain disks in your lower back.

How to stop back pain from a sprain?

You need to keep moving so your joints and muscles don't stiffen up. You can also use ice and heat to help relieve your pain. Just place an ice pack or warm wet towel on the area of your back that is sore. You can alternate hot and cold, or use whichever feels best.

How to treat a herniated disc in the neck?

As part of treatment for a herniated disc in the neck, the initial neck exercises are easy to do and can provide immediate relief in some cases. When doing neck exercises, it is important not to cause pain or push into the direction of pain. Movements that decrease pain of a herniated disc are good and can be repeated, as in the neck pain exercises.

What is the best treatment for herniated neck?

Cold or ice therapy for neck pain can be used until the inflammation is gone and then heat treatment can help to relax muscles and may aid with traction treatment. With a herniation, the structure is deep, so infrared heat would be the best because it penetrated deep.

What is cervical traction?

Cervical Traction is a popular and often effective treatment for a herniated disc in the neck. For an active disc herniation, traction should be used gently and is usually prescribed and administered by a physical therapist or chiropractor. If the herniations are not active, you should have a comprehensive approach.

How long does it take for a herniated disc to heal?

Healing time can vary depending on any complications, age, extent of the herniation and types of treatment used. 6 to 8 weeks is a general time or target. Often, progress can be monitored with the use of the neck disability index, which can be done online. Cervical Traction is a popular and often effective treatment for a herniated disc in the neck.

What is a Saunders neck traction device?

The Saunders Neck Traction device is a good, high end product and can be used to target specific areas of the neck by the use of angling , often prescribed by a doctor or therapist. These take a little bit longer to get used to as there is more of a learning curve in using them.

How to help muscle spasms?

Another method to help with pain and muscle spasm is the use of electrical stimulation. This is a battery powered electrical device that can be set up for treatment in the specific areas of pain by use of self adhesive electrodes.

Can a herniated disc cause neck pain?

A Herniated disc in the neck can be painful and distressful. They are one of many causes of neck pain. Active herniations can be a real problem until the inflammation subsides and usually anti-inflammatory medications like medrol dose pack are prescribed for treatment, and more recently spinal injections.

How to help a cervical disc?

While pain relievers, physical therapy, neck traction, and as a last resort, surgery, can help ease neck pain from cervical disc disease, there are also home remedies you can use to help relieve pain and speed the healing process.

How to get rid of neck pain and improve flexibility?

Once you are feeling well enough and your doctor gives permission, practice stretching exercises to both relieve neck pain and improve your flexibility. It's best to perform these exercises after warming up muscles with a warm shower, bath, or towel. Here are a few simple stretches for cervical disc disease that you can do at home: 1.

How to keep neck in neutral position?

While you are resting, find a comfortable position -- one that causes you the least amount of neck pain. You can place a rolled up towel or a pillow under your neck to help keep your neck in a neutral position. Resting doesn't mean crawling into bed and remaining perfectly still, however.

How to keep your head and neck straight?

Always try to keep your head and neck straight and make sure your back is supported. When you sit at your desk, for example, your computer should be at eye level and your chair should be right up against your back (in other words, don't press your nose against the computer screen).

Can resistance bands help with neck pain?

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, women with chronic neck pain who performed strength and endurance exercises using resistance bands and light weights significantly reduced their neck pain and disability. It's also important to keep active in general.

Does exercise help with neck pain?

Bad posture is a major contributor to neck pain.

Can cervical disc disease cause neck pain?

If you're like most people, you probably live a busy, hectic life. But if you're living with cervical disc disease and have increased neck pain, it's important to temporarily ease back on intense activities. While you are resting, find a comfortable position -- one that causes you the least amount of neck pain.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

• Besides taking the pain medications your doctor recommends, try: 1. Applying heat or cold.Initially, cold packs can be used to relieve pain and inflammation. After a few days, you might switch to gentle heat to give relief and comfort. 2. Avoiding too much bed rest.Staying in bed can lead to stiff joints and weak muscles — which can complicate your...

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