Your spine is made up of 24 bones, called vertebrae, stacked on top of each other, with intervertebral spinal discs in between to act as a cushion and allow for movement. These bones provide most of the support for your body and prevent the spinal cord from becoming damaged. Without these vertebrae, you would not be able to stand upright, bend, or twist.2
The cervical spine is located in your neck and consists of the first 7 vertebrae of the spinal column, known as the C1 through C7 vertebrae. Its main function is to support the weight of your head, but it allows for movement as well.2
Unfortunately, while your vertebrae are strong and difficult to damage without serious trauma or age playing a factor, your spinal discs are less resilient. Everyday activities can easily damage spinal discs. Moreover with the fact that they obtain wear and tear over time as a normal byproduct of aging. This wear and tear have many causes, and while for some it may not cause any serious pain or symptoms, for others these symptoms can be debilitating. If the damaged discs are located in the cervical spine, these symptoms will be felt in the form of neck pain. However, not all neck pain is a result of degenerated discs. Therefore, it’s important to understand when it is, when it isn’t, and what your treatment options are.
How do I know if my neck pain is serious?
In order to know whether or not your neck pain is caused by cervical disc disease or is simply a normal sign of aging, you need to understand the full range of symptoms of degenerative disc disease.
- Pain that radiates down to your hands and fingers.
- Numbness or tingling in your shoulders, arms, and hands.
- Weakness in your hands or arms, sometimes both.
- Symptoms may sometimes resemble symptoms of carpal tunnel, rotator cuff issues, or gout.
- Neck pain that is felt when upright and when you move your head. May be relieved by lying down or reclining.
- Osteophytes or bone spurs may develop in the area around the affected spinal discs. They may cause pain, make it difficult to move your neck or nerve compression.
- Issues with the cervical nerve roots caused by the degenerated discs may also cause burning, tingling, numbness, and pain in the back of your head, neck, arms, and hands.
- Headaches may also be a symptom of disc degeneration in the cervical spine.
If all you feel is acute pain that resolves itself and goes away, you have most likely experienced neck pain that is not related to cervical disc disease. However, if you experience a combination of the following symptoms, your neck pain may be caused by cervical disc disease.
Treatment options
For those who are suffering from cervical disc disease, there are many treatment options that may be recommended to you by your doctor depending on the severity of your pain. These options range from conservative treatment like physical therapy and exercise to medication or even surgery.
Physical Therapy
If physical therapy is recommended to treat neck pain caused by cervical disc disease, you will be taught exercises that will strengthen your muscles. Thereby, better supporting your spine and reduce stress. Stress on the spine is what causes disc degeneration and pain. Furthermore, if your muscles are weak they cannot help your spine hold weight. This can lead to spine instability or may worsen a pre-existing spine issue.
Physical therapy can also provide you with exercises that will help you improve your posture. Poor posture is a habit that can lead to spine issues. So doing what you can to maintain proper posture at all times will help reduce stress as well. Exercises learned from physical therapy may also help relieve pressure on nerves near the spine that have been affected as a result of cervical disc disease.1 Although the effects of degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed, physical therapy may be able to help you feel some relief.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a form of therapy in which a doctor inserts very thin needles into specific points on the surface of the body. These specific points are targeted based on “meridians” of the body. Which correspond to nerve pathways that are affected by a specific spinal disc. Acupuncture provokes healing by increasing blood flow to the areas where needles are placed. As well as, triggering the body to release endorphins, which can help relieve pain.1
Chiropractic manipulation
This is a common treatment. A licensed chiropractor uses their hands or a small tool to apply controlled, sudden force to the spine or spinal joint. It’s also known as chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation. The goal of chiropractic manipulation is to improve the spine’s motion the patient’s overall physical function. During chiropractic manipulation, the physical therapist will try to push the joint past its normal range of motion. Cracking or popping sounds can be heard as the joint is moved. This is commonly the treatment of chronic headaches and neck pain.
Medication
Medication recommended for treating neck pain caused by spine issues will vary depending on the severity of pain felt by the patient. If it is mild, a doctor may recommend over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin.1 If NSAIDs fail to provide relief or cannot be taken for medical reasons, a doctor may prescribe muscle relaxers. These are generally recommended for acute pain. If pain is chronic, medication such as corticosteroids, cortisone injections, or even opioids may be prescribed. Some of these medications can be addictive and may have serious side effects. Therefore, it’s important to consult with a doctor to find the option that is best.
Surgery
Generally, conservative treatment options will be recommended before a doctor suggests surgery. However, if the patient’s neck pain does not find relief from these options, or is severe and debilitating, surgery will likely be suggested. Surgical options for cervical disc disease include discectomy, microdiscectomy, spinal fusion, and artificial disc surgery.
In a discectomy or microdiscectomy, abnormal disc material that is causing pain is surgically removed. In spinal fusion surgery, the goal is to connect or eliminate motion between two or more vertebrae. The process involves by placing bone or bonelike material between the vertebrae. Metal plates, screws, or rods may also be used to hold the vertebrae together and allow them to heal into one solid unit. Artificial disc surgery involves replacing the movement and cushioning functions of damaged discs through surgical removal and replacement. Similar to medication, surgery is serious and not without its risks, so it’s important to discuss all options with a doctor.
When it comes to degenerative disc disease, it’s best to get treatment right away. The longer you wait, the more time discs have to become dehydrated and flat, which can lead to further problems. If you have neck pain that you believe is a result of cervical disc disease, consult your doctor to determine your treatment options.
- Nonsurgical Treatment for Degenerative Disc Disease. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://nyulangone.org/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease-in-adults/treatments/nonsurgical-treatment-for-degenerative-disc-disease
- Spine Anatomy, Anatomy of the Human Spine. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://mayfieldclinic.com/pe-anatspine.htm
