Watson Chiropractor – Cervical Herniated Disc

What Is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is often referred to using different terms that include ruptured disc, torn disc, slipped disc and even simply, disc disease. A cervical herniated disc in particular refers to disc herniation in the neck in and the cervical spine as opposed to the lumbar (lower back) region. While nearly all disc herniation that occurs in the lumbar area can manifest as pain that runs through the leg and foot, cervical herniated discs involve neck pain that is less common and may occur in only one out of ten patients.

Pain from a cervical herniated disc travels from the neck to the arm and into the fingers with additional symptoms occurring in the back of the skull, the shoulder and hand. Central Spine & Sports Rehabilitation LLC chiropractors provide a range of treatment therapies that begin with an accurate diagnosis gathered from a complete physical evaluation and medical history review at our fully equipped clinic in Watson.

Symptoms of Cervical Herniated Disc

When the disc ruptures, the resulting tear in the disc wall releases a gel like substance and surrounding nerves become irritated and inflamed. The swelling results in an increase in pressure, compressing spinal nerves causing reduced mobility and chronic pain.

Causes of Herniated Discs

Cervical herniated discs are more likely to occur with age though some discs can bulge or herniate due to strenuous lifting or direct injury and trauma to the disc. Over time discs may become unable to effectively hold as much of the essential gel like substance at its center and rupture may occur causing damage to spinal nerves.

Diagnosing Cervical Herniated Disc

Disc problems that occur in the neck and other regions are often discovered through a CT or MRI scan with a variation of symptoms in each patient. Some patients with cervical herniated discs feel pain in the shoulder blade only, while others experience pain when turning the neck. Muscle spasms may be accompanied by numbness and tightness or tingling sensations. Central Spine & Sports Rehabilitation LLC provides customized chiropractic care treatment plans that are specifically designed according to individual symptoms following a thorough medical history review and a physical examination that includes evaluation of nerve function, muscle strength and your precise level of pain.

Chiropractic Care for Cervical Disc Herniation

Central Spine & Sports Rehabilitation LLC chiropractors in Watson will assess your range of motion and joint health to determine the best methods for incorporating gentle spinal adjustments into a complete treatment plan for cervical disc herniation. A range of alternate chiropractic therapies may also be used to increase your range of motion such as, joint mobilization and active release techniques and other tailored chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatments have been shown to be extremely effective in relieving the painful symptoms of cervical disc herniation when tailored specifically to a client’s age, lifestyle and level of activity.

Discuss your concerns with a licensed and experienced Central Spine & Sports Rehabilitation LLC chiropractor by scheduling an appointment at our fully equipped Watson clinic to diagnose any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the problem.