What we treat Neck and headaches
Cervical Disc Herniation
A cervical disc herniation occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a spinal disc in your neck pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior. This can put pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness that often travels down the arm. Understanding the anatomy of your spine is the first step toward effective recovery and managing your symptoms with professional care.
Common Symptoms of a Cervical Herniated Disc
Symptoms often depend on the location and severity of the disc herniation. You may experience symptoms in the neck, shoulder, or radiating down the arm to the fingers.
Deep, dull, or sharp pain typically felt on one side of the neck. This pain may travel along the nerve path into the shoulder, shoulder blade, or arm.
A 'pins and needles' sensation (paresthesia) or reduced sensitivity in the arm, hand, or specific fingers corresponding to the affected nerve root.
Reduced strength in certain muscle groups, such as difficulties with grip, lifting the arm, or maintaining fine motor control in the hands.
If you experience sudden loss of coordination, difficulty walking, or weakness in both arms and legs, seek medical attention immediately.
PHYSICAL THERAPY DIAGNOSIS
Understanding the root cause through comprehensive clinical assessment.
- Clinical History: We begin by discussing your symptom patterns, onset, and daily functional limitations to identify the likely disc segment involved.
- Neurological Screening: Testing reflexes, sensation (dermatomes), and muscle strength (myotomes) to evaluate nerve root integrity.
- Mobility Testing: Assessing range of motion in the neck and upper back to identify stiffness or provocative movements.
- Special Orthopedic Tests: Performing specific maneuvers like the Spurling’s test to confirm or rule out nerve compression.
- Postural Analysis: Evaluating how your habitual positioning and ergonomic setup contribute to cervical strain.
How We Treat Cervical Disc Herniation
Our approach integrates advanced manual therapy with personalized neuromuscular re-education. We don't just treat the symptoms; we address the biomechanical factors that led to the herniation to ensure long-term stability and relief.
- Targeted joint mobilizations to reduce nerve pressure
- Soft tissue release for chronic muscle guarding
- Postural correction and ergonomic training
- Progressive strengthening to support the cervical spine
Exercise to Start With
Initial guided exercises focused on gentle movement and pain relief to support your recovery process.
Chin Tucks - Gently pull your chin straight back, as if making a double chin. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10 times. Focus on keeping your eyes level.
Scap Squeezes - While sitting or standing tall, squeeze your shoulder blades together and down. Hold for 3-5 seconds. Repeat for 2 sets of 10 repetitions.
Tell us what you want to return to?
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If it sounds like what you have, an evaluation is where we find out properly.