Cervical hernia: definition, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

By Cristiano Antonino On May 5, 2023

Cervical hernia is a disease that affects the vertebrae. In particular, this problem affects the first 7 vertebrae of the column and can lead to various symptoms, first of all pain

What is cervical hernia?

If you suffer from pain in your neck and upper spine, you are likely suffering from cervical hernia.

This term indicates a protrusion of the intervertebral disc, i.e. the tissue structure present between two vertebrae, with consequent compression of the nerve roots of the cervical tract, which are usually directed to the upper limbs or spinal cord.

The vertebrae and intervertebral disc affected by this pain are usually C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7.

The intense and persistent pain that characterizes the symptoms of cervical hernia makes it very complex to live with this pathology.

Symptoms of cervical hernia

As anticipated, the most persistent symptom of cervical hernia is the sensation of pain.

This pain can be classified in two ways: neck pain and brachialgia.

In the first case it is a persistent pain in the neck, in the second instead of a pain that radiates up to one or both upper limbs.

The type of pain experienced when suffering from this condition is very intense and can lead to further complications.

In fact, constant pain in the neck can make it impossible not only to practice everyday activities, such as working, but it can also compromise sleep and appetite.

In addition to severe pain, symptoms of cervical hernia can also be:

pain when performing simple neck movements, such as from right to left and vice versa or tilting the head up or down
persistent neck pain combined with a lack of strength in the arms, resulting in weakness and difficulty moving the upper limbs
tingling and numbness in the limbs
heachache
typical “pink” pain in the neck
sensation of electric shocks in the upper limbs
weakness
photosensitivity and difficulty focusing

in severe cases, symptoms referable to spinal cord compromise

The main causes of cervical hernia

Each intervertebral disc is formed by an inner part, called nucleus pulposus, and by an outer part, called annulus fibrosus, which contains and protects the nucleus.

When a rupture of the fibrous ring occurs, the nucleus pulposus can come out of its seat: it is precisely this outflow of a part of the intervertebral disc that takes the name of hernia.

The causes that can lead to the formation of a cervical hernia can be many:

one of the most common causes of cervical hernia is certainly incorrect posture. The attitude of the body and the position assumed by the patient when he works can lead to problems with the spine, especially the cervical spine. Using the wrong chair in the office or keeping the neck bent at the PC for a long time are two of the factors that most affect the appearance of pathologies related to the spine, such as cervical hernia;
Whiplash is another cause of cervical hernia. Trauma to the neck can in fact lead to a laceration of the external fibers of the annulus fibrosus. Whiplash is usually linked to road accidents, usually following a sudden stop or impact that leads to a stretch of the patient’s body;
problems related to muscles or tissues can lead to a hernia;
age is a cause of cervical hernia, as, with increasing years, a weakening of a physiological nature of the intervertebral disc is more probable;
another cause is the increase in loads on the spine following an increase in one’s body weight;
the constant stresses on this part of the body over time can lead to a weakening of the area and the formation of a hernia;
the hernia can then be facilitated by other pathologies, for example cervical spondylosis, a degenerative disease that affects the cervical disc.

What to do when you have this type of hernia?

There are several remedies for cervical hernia and it is possible to adopt behaviors that can help prevent and treat this pathology.

First you need to contact your doctor. There are different approaches of doctors on how to treat cervical hernia.

The type of treatment prescribed by the doctor can vary in severity, vertebrae affected, age, gender and allergies.

Treatments and therapies

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are usually prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.

These include, for example, ibuprofen, naproxen and acetylsalicylic acid.

Relaxants are recommended to avoid muscle spasms.

More and more often among the treatments for cervical hernia there are in fact cyclobenzaprine and Diazepam.

In the most serious cases, corticosteroid drugs may also be prescribed due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Opioids such as hydrocodone are very rarely prescribed, as they can lead to complications and addiction.

Natural remedies for cervical hernia are instead dedicated to milder and less painful cases.

In this case, the natural extracts of various plants are used to decrease the tension and stiffness of the spine.

Especially in cases where the pain is exacerbated by conditions of high stress and lack of sleep, these remedies are very useful.

Among these are the intake of herbs through herbal teas or supplements that are able to perform an important sedative anxiolytic action.

Among the plants most used in these cases are:

the passion flower
the chamomile
the lemon balm
the valerian

Among their properties these plants are anxiolytic, antispasmodic, hypnotic and sedative of the central nervous system.

Taking painkillers and anti-inflammatories combined with physiotherapy is one of the most traditional and effective approaches.

In the event that these remedies fail, however, various surgical alternatives are possible, such as operations aimed at decreasing the pressure on the nerve.

For milder cervical hernias, however, it is recommended to proceed only with the combination of a pharmacological course and physiotherapy.

There are several alternative treatments useful for treating cervical hernia.

A recent example is acupuncture, which offers immediate relief from the acute pain of this condition.
Many professionals recommend massages performed by specialists in the sector with the aim of improving the situation of the cervical spine.

Even compresses with anti-inflammatory creams can help to relieve the severe pain typical of the neck.

What to avoid?

Among the things not to do when suffering from cervical hernia are:

lift weights or very heavy loads that can lead to small traumas of the column;
smoking is strongly discouraged, as it increases the healing time of the injured area;
not taking the medicines prescribed by your doctor correctly is absolutely wrong, you need to pay close attention to the specific advice and treatments suggested by professionals;
an increasingly common mistake is to stall, avoiding going to the doctor or specialist. This can lead to a degeneration of the disease and the need for surgery that could have been avoided by intervening in time;
playing sports independently, without a professional who advises the right practice is absolutely wrong, as there is a risk of damaging the cervical spine with incorrect movements;
assume awkward or incorrect positions during sleep and work.

How to prevent cervical hernia?

Preventing cervical hernia is not easy, but thanks to some attention it is possible to avoid the evolution of this pathology.

Among these there is a work to strengthen the cervical muscles, in order to provide the correct support to this area of the spine during everyday activities.

To do this, there are various physiotherapy exercises which, if carried out alongside a professional, can guarantee great results.

Changing some of your everyday habits is also essential.

Paying attention to your posture is always important, even if you don’t suffer from a hernia, as it allows you to prevent some complex pathologies of the spine.

It can also be useful to control weight and avoid tension, for example during sleep, with incorrect positions.

If you work seated, the choice of position and type of chair is important.

It is also advisable to avoid “do-it-yourself” fitness exercises.

In the gym it is in fact essential to prevent sprains or muscle injuries that can lead to complications.

It is therefore necessary to seek the opinion of the doctor or of a qualified instructor able to indicate the most suitable exercises for those suffering from this pathology.

In the event that these small injuries occur, it is essential to respect the rest and convalescence times in order to avoid complications.

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