The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebrae and intervertebral discs that act as cushions between the bones. A cervical disc bulge occurs when the soft center of the disc pushes out against its outer ring, putting pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This can cause neck pain, headaches, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the arms and hands.
Evidence-based treatment for cervical disc bulges typically starts with conservative measures such as rehab, pain management, and targeted exercises. As rehab chiropractors, we have the specific skills to also provide targeted mobilizations to the areas in and around the neck to give relief, as we create a tailored strengthening program for you.
At Apollo Performance Chiropractic, we focus on strengthening the neck muscles and improving posture to alleviate pressure on the affected disc, as well as making sure that we can keep you active while avoiding factors that aggravate the condition.
It is important to note that cervical disc bulges are a common finding on MRI, but they do not NECESSARILY cause discomfort or pain. Many people have disc bulges that do not cause any symptoms. Therefore, it is important to consider other factors, such as muscle imbalances and referred pain when evaluating the cause of neck pain and determining the best course of treatment.
