A Herniated Disc in the Neck: An Overview

Experiencing a herniated disc in the neck means that one of the intervertebral discs in your cervical spine has torn open. Your cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae (C1-C7) in your spinal column, and each of these small, vertically stacked bones - except for the top two (C1-C2) - is separated and cushioned by an intervertebral disc.

From the neck to the lower back, the discs are an essential element in absorbing the shock from the body's everyday movements, and in some instances the weight and pressure that the spine must constantly endure can simply be too much for the discs to handle. This can cause discs to extrude beyond their normal boundaries and even rupture along the disc wall.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms from a herniated disc in the neck can be felt when the disc material from the nucleus pulposus seeps through a crack in the disc wall. Oftentimes, the tear in the disc wall can be painful in and of itself, and in some cases, disc tissue presses upon and irritates the spinal cord or a nearby nerve root. The most common symptom experienced from a herniated disc in the neck is pain, which can be severe at times, and may increase when nodding your head or turning it from side to side. Also, movement and rotation of the neck may be found to be increasingly difficult because a herniated disc can cause the neck to feel stiff. Other symptoms, including pain, numbness, weakness, muscle spasms, and tingling can be felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands as a result of a herniated disc as well. Rarely, patients may experience headaches (cervicogenic headaches), too.

Should You See a Doctor?

If you have been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms and cannot place a finger on why, you should see your doctor immediately. Explain to him or her all of your symptoms, being sure to include even the smallest of details. Seeing a doctor to receive a diagnosis for your symptoms might be the most valuable decision you make as far as keeping your spine healthy and your lifestyle active. While there's no shame in doing some home research and diagnostic work, only a doctor's expertise can officially diagnose a herniated disc in your neck, and get you on the right road to recovery.