What should you not do with a herniated cervical disc?

To protect the neck, you’ll want to avoid any exercises that may shock the cervical spine, such as weightlifting. Avoid other exercise or activities that require you to bend forward or use your arms or shoulders in front of your body, which could potentially irritate the bulging disc.

What nerves do C6 and C7 affect?

From the lateral cord, C5, C6, and C7 supply the pectoralis major and minor muscles, via the lateral and medial pectoral nerves, as well as the coracobrachialis, brachialis and biceps brachii, via the musculocutaneous nerve. The musculocutaneous nerve provides sensation to the skin of the lateral forearm.

Can a herniated disc in neck cause chest pain?

Herniated discs in the neck (cervical spine) can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulders, chest, arms, and hands. In some cases a very large herniated disc in the neck may cause weakness or unusual tingling affecting other parts of the body, including the legs.

How bad does a herniated disc have to be for surgery?

Your doctor might recommend surgery as an option for your herniated disc if: Your symptoms have lasted at least 6 weeks and make it hard to do your normal activities, and other treatments haven’t helped. You need to get better quickly because of your job or to get back to your other activities as soon as possible.

Is a cervical herniated disc permanent?

Most of the time, pain associated with a herniated disc goes away on its own over a period of weeks or months and does not cause permanent damage to the spine or nerves. A herniated disc can occur in any part of the spine, but it is most common in the lower back (the lumbar spine) and the neck (the cervical spine).

How should I sleep with a herniated disc in my neck?

The optimal sleeping position for a herniated disc is on your back. Lying on your back keeps your spine in a neutral position so you have less chance of pinching the nerve. For added comfort, nestle a small pillow or rolled-up towel under your knees and lower back.

How do you fix a C6/C7 herniated disc?

Common surgeries performed in the C6-C7 motion segment include:

1. Surgery to remove all or part of a disc. Removal of a herniated or degenerated disc may help relieve pressure on compressed nerve roots, reducing radicular pain.
2. Surgery on the vertebrae.

What does C6 and C7 control?

The C6 spinal vertebra is part of the cervical spinal cord, located in the lowest region of the neck. The C6 nerve roots, which exit the spinal column between the C6 vertebra and the C7 vertebra, directly affects the control of the muscles in the forearms and wrists.

Can neck problems affect your heart?

Cervical instability created autonomic myopathy or autonomic neuropathy, that is nerve damage that blocks or interferes with the messages sent between the brain and the heart and blood vessels, can lead to a variety of serious symptoms including palpitations, racing or skipping beats, tremors, blurring of vision.

Should I have surgery for herniated disc in neck?

Surgery for cervical radiculopathy from a herniated disc should only be considered in those cases when 6 to 12 weeks of nonsurgical treatment fails to relieve neurological deficits in the arm, such as pain, numbness, and/or weakness.

Do you ever fully recover from a herniated disc?

Usually a herniated disc will heal on its own over time. Be patient, and keep following your treatment plan. If your symptoms don’t get better in a few months, you may want to talk to your doctor about surgery.

Can you become paralyzed from herniated disc?

Herniated disc surgery can sometimes cause numbness or weakness in one or both legs. Paralysis is one of the rarest of all potential complications (1 in 10,000) of herniated disc surgery. While extremely rare, paralysis or nerve injuries can occur due to damage to the spinal column during the operation.

Can A C6-C7 disc herniation cause neck and arm pain?

A disc herniation at C6-C7 would cause neck pain, and arm pain that would travel down the back of the arm to the back of the forearm and back of the index and middle finger. At the C6-C7 level the tricep muscle may be weak due to pinching of the C7 nerve. Disc herniations in the neck can occur due to many different things or events.

What are the signs and symptoms of a cervical herniated disc?

Common Signs and Symptoms of Cervical Herniated Disc. A cervical herniated disc can cause pain that radiates throughout the neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. Some common signs and symptoms of a cervical herniated disc include: Neck pain. This pain is typically felt toward the back or side of the neck.

Can a cervical disc herniation cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

As mentioned above, a cervical disc herniation can masquerade as some other injury to the arm. Often times patients are initially treated for a shoulder strain or rotator cuff tear. Other times they are treated for carpal tunnel syndrome. All of these conditions share symptoms that can be caused by a cervical disc herniation.

Can a herniated disc in the cervical spine be left untreated?

This is important to note because while some herniated discs can (sometimes) be left untreated, ruptured discs in the cervical spine really shouldn’t be ignored. What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?