TR
EN
Overview
In our neck there are seven vertebrae that we call the cervical vertebrae. These form a structure beginning at C1 and ending at the C7 vertebra. Between the vertebrae lie discs that act as shock absorbers. These discs have a gel-like interior, while their exterior is made up of strong connective tissue.
When the neck muscles contract as a result of a wrong or awkward movement, the connective tissue surrounding the disc becomes compressed. With aging, as the fluid within the disc is lost, the disc becomes unable to perform its cushioning role for the vertebrae.
When the discs weaken for the reasons mentioned above, a tear can occur in the outer layer of the discs. With this tear, the gel-like cartilage material inside the disc spills toward the spinal canal through which our nerves pass. This condition is called a cervical herniated disc.
Causes
Although a cervical herniated disc usually does not have a clear cause, there are risk factors;
AGE — A disc may be more prone to herniation due to wear and tear. With aging, the amount of fluid within the discs decreases. As disc fluid decreases, disc flexibility also decreases. This further raises the likelihood of herniation during sudden movements and bending and twisting motions. In older individuals, disc tearing and herniation can occur with less force than in younger people.
Movement — Sudden, jarring, and forceful movements can cause herniations.
Sudden strain — When you lift a heavy object and suddenly turn or bend your upper body, herniation can occur with the sudden strain on the neck muscles.
Weakness of the neck muscle group — In fact, the main factor is weakness of the muscles in the back of the neck. Because the neck muscle group is weak, the load on the spine increases, and this increases the load on the discs, causing them to wear out and raising the likelihood of herniation.
Prolonged phone use — Keeping the neck bent forward for long periods both disrupts the alignment of the vertebrae and increases the load on the discs, raising the likelihood of herniation.
Prolonged desk work — Desk work is not in itself a cause of herniation, but working in wrong positions is. A computer that is not used at eye level, or an incorrectly adjusted desk or chair height, causes us to keep our neck in the wrong position. This in turn causes herniation.
Symptoms
Because the herniation presses on the nerves in the spinal cord, symptoms can generally arise in the areas that the compressed nerve follows. For this reason, symptoms radiating to the neck, upper back, shoulder, arm, and hands can be seen together.
Neck pain: Although neck pain is one of the most prominent signs of a herniation, it is not on its own a sign of herniation.
Pain in the upper back, arm, and shoulders
A tingling sensation radiating to the shoulder, arm, and hands
Numbness in the arm and fingers
Decreased hand dexterity
Decreased reflexes
An electric-shock sensation radiating to the arm
Weakness in the shoulder, arm, and hands
Diagnosis
Physical examination is the most effective of the diagnostic methods. For diagnosis, the relevant physician performs physical tests and assessments during the examination. These assessments include the patient's medical history, the localization of pain, the distribution of numbness and tingling, muscle strength tests, and reflex tests. The results are compared with the symptoms and a decision is made.
Among imaging methods, X-ray, MRI (magnetic resonance) and CT (tomography) can be used for diagnosis. However, images alone do not show that a herniation is the cause of your complaints. If the imaging is consistent with the physical examination findings, a diagnosis can be made.
Treatment
In studies conducted on cervical herniated disc patients, 70-95% of cases can be corrected without the need for surgery. After a doctor's examination, in acute, that is, newly started, pain situations, a period of immobilization, meaning a neck collar to keep the neck still and rested, may generally be recommended. Among the non-surgical, conservative treatment methods decided upon after the relevant physician's examination are;
Physical therapy — this can include electrotherapy agents, cold and heat agents, and exercises.
Manual therapy methods — Among the manual therapy methods, spinal manipulations, massage of the tense muscles, and chiropractic treatment approaches are applied.
Chiropractic treatment — In this method, which means "done by hand" and focuses on the body's self-healing mechanism, the aim is to improve the function of the joints and support the nervous system. It is a method that involves working on the spine, bones, and muscles, eliminating the misalignments thought to exist in the spine, and aiming to achieve spinal alignment. It is a method chosen by 50 million Americans each year. With chiropractic interventions performed for a cervical herniated disc, relief in complaints is achieved by relieving the pressure on the nerve and relaxing the tense muscles.
Exercise — Exercises are indispensable in herniation cases. Because one of the most fundamental factors causing this condition is muscle weakness. After pain, numbness, and tingling complaints are relieved, the muscles in the relevant area are strengthened through exercise, achieving lasting recovery.
Interventional procedures — Injections that the relevant physician performs into the epidural space around the nerve, and injections into trigger points, can provide relief for pain.
Medical treatment — Complaints can be relieved with medications deemed appropriate by the physician in the relevant field.
Surgical treatment
What We Do
In our team, with our expert doctors and physiotherapists, we regard the surgical method as a last resort. After our physician's examination and treatment program, we aim to provide lasting relief by adopting a holistic approach with our manual therapy, chiropractic treatment, and exercise programs.
When our physician deems it necessary, after dry needling treatment and injections at painful points, our physiotherapists provide relief through spinal manipulation and mobilization applications. Muscle tension is reduced in the tense muscle groups with the Graston method, cupping method, and clinical massage.
In the final stage, lasting relief is targeted by achieving strengthening through entirely individualized exercises. In our exercises too, our aim is to draw up a purpose-oriented program with personalized three-dimensional exercises. The human body is a three-dimensional structure. For this reason, rather than standard exercises, more focused and purpose-appropriate strengthening is achieved by considering all dimensions of the body and incorporating them into the movements.