| Pain in the arm, shoulder or neck is often a clear | | | | further isolate the extent of the damage. A Myelogram |
| indication of a herniated cervical disc. In specific these | | | | may also be requested if the case is severe. |
| symptoms may involve any of the following: dull or | | | | If the doctor proves that you have a herniated cervical |
| severe pain between your neck and shoulder blades; | | | | disc, surgery will not be the first treatment option. Your |
| pain that shoots down your arm towards your fingers; | | | | doctor or physician should immediately recommend |
| and a tingling sensation in the shoulder or arm. Turning | | | | cold and heat therapy to combat the inflammation in |
| the neck certain ways and angles can also induce the | | | | combination with anti inflammatory medications. |
| pain. | | | | Physical therapy would also be advisable, under the |
| A herniated cervical disc is a result of the breaking | | | | strict guidance of a physical therapist. Some physical |
| open of the outer layer of the disc (annulus), which | | | | therapy methods include stretching, gentle massage, |
| then allows the inner jelly like substance to protrude | | | | neck traction, and ice/heat therapy. |
| resulting in the herniated cervical disc. A herniated | | | | The majority of sufferers of a herniated cervical disc |
| cervical disc does not always have instant symptoms- | | | | will notice a considerable improvement in their |
| it may take time for the pain to be felt, and often the | | | | symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks. For this reason, |
| problem is diagnosed by X-ray when patients have a | | | | conventional treatments usually work, and surgery is |
| different problem. When the pain of a herniated | | | | not likely to be appropriate nor required, so the news is |
| cervical disc takes hold, patients will want to see a | | | | generally good. |
| doctor as soon as possible. | | | | However, it is wise to be prepared for surgery in the |
| There are various aspects and information your | | | | event that your herniated cervical disc is a severe |
| doctor or physician will request to aid diagnosing a | | | | case, wherein there may be some compression |
| herniated cervical disc, these include: a physical | | | | placed upon the spinal cord. If surgery is |
| examination, neurological examination, medical history | | | | recommended as the best treatment option for your |
| review, evaluation of your symptoms and breakdown | | | | herniated cervical disc, try to understand why it is being |
| of previous treatments you may have tried. The | | | | recommended and possibly seek a second opinion. |
| doctor will also most likely request an X-ray to see if | | | | Surgery on the spine is serious, and need only be |
| such conditions as osteoarthritis are a related cause. | | | | performed if all other treatments for a herniated |
| Further to this the doctor may also ask for a CT or | | | | cervical disc have been exhausted. |
| MRI scan to locate the herniated cervical disc and to | | | | |