Dealing with a Bulging Disc in the Neck

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Find out if you're a candidate for a minimally invasive alternative to open neck or back surgery

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A bulging disc in the neck can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition. The pain, tingling, numbness, and other symptoms begin in the neck, but can radiate to the shoulders, upper back, arms, and into the hands, making even once-simple activities seem nearly impossible. The condition can have a number of causes, and often the true culprit of the affliction is a combination of factors.

Common causes of a bulging disc in the neck include:

Aging
Degenerative disc disease
Wear and tear
Injury

Treatments for a Bulging Disc in the Neck

Because most bulging discs heal on their own with time, many treatments focus on simply making that healing period pass more comfortably. Treatments for the condition will depend on the particulars of your situation, but most initial regimens include some combination of the following:

Rest
Exercise
Stretching
Physical therapy
Pain medications - OTC and prescription
Anti-inflammatory medicines
Spinal decompression therapy
Epidural steroid shots

The vast majority of people find that these treatments can eliminate their bulging disc symptoms or at least alleviate them enough to continue a normal life. However, those people who cannot achieve enough relief to maintain an acceptable quality of life find that surgery is their only option left. There are two types of surgical treatment: open neck surgery and endoscopic procedures. The latter of the two provides significant advantages including fewer risks, less trauma to the body, an outpatient setting, and a much faster recovery time, to name a few.

To learn more about endoscopic or minimally invasive procedures as a treatment for a bulging disc in the neck, or any of the treatments for the condition, contact Laser Spine Institute. We'll review your CT scan or MRI free of charge and determine your eligibility for the procedure.

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