Most patients suffering from a cervical disc herniation do not need surgery. With the right treatments, the condition usually improves in a matter of four to six weeks. We invite you read the following article to find out more about these treatments.
Herniated discs in the cervical area are one of problems most commonly diagnosed by spine specialists. These can occur between the ages of 30 and 50, and they can be due to trauma or injury to the neck.
The symptoms caused by these hernias can seriously affect the sufferer’s quality of life. The cervical spine is the area of the spine that has the greatest mobility and flexibility. Pain originating in this region is known as cervicalgia and it can arise from any of the structures in this area, including muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves and joints.
The pain can radiate to the arms, head, or back, feeling like numbness and tingling, or even an electric shock. Fortunately, there are several treatment options. In this article, we will focus on conservative treatments that do not involve surgery.
Learn more about symptoms and treatments of C5-C6 cervical disc herniation
Cervical disc hernia: treatments for pain
Infiltrations: an injection that works
The specialist may recommend infiltrations to solve joint or soft tissue problems and or pain in the muscles or tendons. This treatment consists of the injection of medication into the area of the body where the pain is felt.
The substances that are injected vary depending on the pathology, but among them are anti-inflammatories. It is a simple technique, since it can be performed on an outpatient basis, but it is very important for the doctor to know the patient's full medical history to be apprised of any possible allergies to medication.
Among other substances that can be used, alone or in combination, for infiltrations, are the following: local anesthetics, botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, and others. The treatment protocol for cervical disc herniations has evolved. Now spine professionals use non-surgical treatments with the goal of resolving the patient’s condition through the least aggressive means.
In line with this, there is a newly emerged trend based on the use of infiltrations combined with ozone therapy, which has no contraindications or side effects. In some cases, the patient may complain of a headache after the procedure, but this does not last a long time.
A Greek researcher has presented a study showing that after infiltrations with ozone therapy, there was a new influx of the fluid of mucopolysaccharides, a substance that is part of the intervertebral disc that gives it viscosity and resistance, in such a way that the disc expanded, producing a kind of disc regeneration.
After the infiltration, the patient should take care to rest for the following 24 hours and apply cold to the injected area. If the patient begins to experience fever or severe pain, it is recommended that they go to the doctor immediately.
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Cervical epidural infiltration
While use of an epidural block is widely known to relieve the pain of sciatica, it is less commonly known for use at the cervical level. However, it is no less effective, and can be a quite useful non-surgical conservative treatment option for pain management in cases of cervical disc herniation.
How is it performed? This technique consists of identifying the cervical epidural space, reaching it by means of a needle with specific characteristics and injecting a local anesthetic (combined with dexamethasone, for example) in that space.
Percutaneous disc decompression
This is a minimally invasive treatment that is used to treat some herniated discs. The procedure is characterized by carrying out a simple puncture that is performed under local anesthesia. These treatments for cervical disc herniation have a fundamental purpose: to narrow the disc bulge and relieve the neural structures.
It is worth mentioning that percutaneous disc decompression cannot always be used, and whether it can be, will depend on the diagnosis. However, it has been shown to achieve excellent results in cases of small disc protrusions and moderate disc herniations, both in the cervical and lumbar spine.
Intradiscal radiofrequency
Radiofrequency is nothing more than the application of an electric current to the affected area. It has a therapeutic purpose which is to relieve pain. The specialist will use an x-ray device for guidance to help pinpoint the precise area and to reduce intradiscal pressure.
This treatment is done on an outpatient basis. It is similar to that of epidural anesthesia, and one of its main advantages is that patients recover rapidly. It only requires local anesthesia or moderate sedation.
Exercise to relieve pain
Exercise is always good for your quality of life, if you do it responsibly. What do we mean by this? That you should consult a specialist for medical advice before performing any type of sports activity, and especially if you have been diagnosed with a cervical disc herniation.
If your specialist knows you suffer from this pathology, they can also prescribe physical therapy sessions under the guidance of a professional. A professional physical therapist will be able to recommend ways you can continue to practice your therapy at home.
Physical therapy is the first line of treatment. It reduces pain significantly, promotes mobility and strengthens muscles, increases the circulation, and vascularizes the area, thus accelerating the recovery process. Our FisioSpine professionals will offer you the best personalized therapeutic alternatives.
In addition, there are other types of exercise you can do to counteract a cervical disc herniation, like swimming. There are scientific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of aquatic exercise for coping with a pathology of this type. As long as your doctor approves, you can do this type of exercise as a way to help overcome the pain.
Yoga is another option for treating a cervical disc herniation, but it should only be done under medical advice, because if you try certain yoga postures on your own, you might injure yourself and instead of pain relief, you might get the opposite effect.
5 Cervical Spine Exercises to do at home
Categories: Spine treatments, Spine pathologies, Cervical pain