Pain in the neck can be, well, a real pain in the neck! Neck pain is incredibly common, and as we become more reliant on technology and spend more time on our smartphones, it should come as no surprise that rates of neck pain in the US are increasing. And while neck problems develop in a number of different ways, one of the more common issues we see in our clinic is neck pain derived from a bulging disc. In today’s blog, we explain how physical therapy can be the perfect solution for patients suffering from a bulging disc in their neck.
PT For Cervical Bulging Discs
Between each vertebral segment in your spine exists a thin, flexible disc that acts as a shock absorber while also making it possible for you to bend your head and neck in different directions. This disc has a fibrous outer layer that surrounds a softer nucleus, and when the disc is subjected to too much acute stress or repetitive strain, the disc can start to bulge a bit, losing its natural shape. If this disc pressure becomes too great, the soft inner nucleus can break through the outer layer. This is known as a herniated disc.
Bulging discs are oftentimes a precursor to herniated discs, so if we can effectively treat a bulging disc, we can avoid the more significant problems associated with a disc herniation. Oftentimes the best course of treatment for a bulging disc in your neck is with physical therapy.
Working with a physical therapist to overcome the challenges you’re facing because of a bulging cervical disc can be helpful in a number of ways. For starters, connecting with a professional can give you exercises tailored to your specific situation. Your disc will bulge in its own unique way, potentially causing it to irritate different nerves in the neck, so individualized attention is incredibly helpful. Also, mismanagement of a bulging disc in your neck can lead to much more severe problems, so it’s helpful to have a professional guiding you on your recovery journey.
If you present to our clinic with symptoms of a bulging disc in your neck, we’ll conduct a baseline assessment to learn more about the injury. We’ll want to see which motions you can perform, which ones prove difficult and the overall strength of your neck region. From there, we’ll chart an individualized course of recovery that will work to target these aspects of your neck.
- Strength Training – We’ll work to strengthen muscles and areas around your spine that help to support your cervical spinal column, in turn taking stress off your discs and helping to alleviate disc pressure. Slowly working to develop strength in the neck is crucial to returning to normal activities after the disc has healed.
- Range Of Motion/Flexibility Training – Many of the exercises we put you through will be stretching-based, and their goal will be to improve your comfortable range of motion. The bulging disc will inhibit flexibility in the neck region, but you can slowly restore this range of motion with the help of stretching exercises. Gentle stretches and resistance band exercises will become your best friend as you work to expand your range of motion without putting acute strain on your neck.
- Manual Therapy – Another type of treatment you can receive when you work with a physical therapist instead of performing some exercises on your own is manual therapy. This is when the physical therapist gently manipulates or massages your neck and nearby areas to break up muscle tension or boost your range of motion. Manual manipulation of your head and neck can restore strength, function and stability in your neck.
Bulging discs oftentimes heal on their own over the course of a few weeks of proactive treatment, so know that you can certainly take care of the problem without surgery and before it snowballs into a full blown herniated disc. Let the team at OrthoRehab Specialists be your guide for your new or chronic neck issue. For more information, or to set up your first appointment, reach out to our team today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
- Overcome Bulging Discs In Your Neck With Physical Therapy - March 4, 2025
- How Active Rest Can Boost Your Athletic Performance Or Injury Recovery - March 3, 2025
- Why Physical Therapy Can Significantly Reduce Healthcare Costs - February 26, 2025
