Symptoms and therapy for a slipped disc

A slipped disc (prolapse) is a wear-related disease of the spine. This results in a tear in the fibrous ring (anulus fibrosus), which encloses the gelatinous nucleus (nucleus pulposus). As a result of the tear, the soft material escapes into the spinal canal. Here, the intervertebral disc can press on nerve roots or even on the spinal cord and cause constant, stabbing and radiating pain. Those affected are usually between 30 and 60 years old, with men being twice as likely to fall ill as women.

Symptoms of a slipped disc in the cervical spine

In 10% of cases a herniated disc affects the cervical spine – usually the disc between the 5th and 6th or the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae is affected. Such a herniated disc does not necessarily cause symptoms. However, if the intervertebral disc has slipped in such a way that it presses on emerging nerve roots, there is shooting pain in the entire supply area of the nerve.

Therefore, those affected not only have neck pain, but often also radiating pain or sensory disturbances such as tingling or numbness in the arm and fingers. Many affected persons suffer from headache, neck and shoulder pain at the same time. In order to reduce these, sufferers increasingly adopt a relieving posture, which, however, leads to an additional stiffening of the neck.

In rare cases, dizziness and impaired vision occur. The danger of a slipped disc in the cervical spine is that the disc not only irritates nerve roots but also compresses the spinal cord. This happens rarely, but in this case the affected person may also suffer from gait disorders, bladder and rectum voiding disorders or even paraplegia.

Classical symptoms Often accompanying symptoms How a herniated disc in the cervical spine is conservatively treated, you will find in the article Herniated disc in the cervical spine – physiotherapy

  • Shooting pain in the cervical region
  • Radiation and sensation disorders in arm and finger
  • Tingling, numbness
  • Neck pain
  • Head-neck-shoulder pain
  • Dizziness, visual disturbances
  • In the Cervical Distraction Test, the patient lies supine on the treatment bench. The doctor grasps the cervical spine and holds the patient’s head. Now the doctor applies a gentle pull on the head so that the cervical spine is stretched.

    If this movement relieves existing pain, the test is positive.

  • In the Jackson ́s test, the patient sits upright on the treatment bench and is asked to place his head as far back as possible. If pain occurs, the test is positive.
  1. For the cervical spine, the “Spurling Test” is suitable. Here the patient sits upright on a chair.

    The doctor stands behind the patient and asks the patient to tilt his head to the side. Now the doctor puts one hand on the patient’s head. With the other hand he now exerts gentle pressure on the head tilted to the side.

    If pain occurs, which may radiate into the cervical spine, the test is positive.

  2. Another test for the cervical spine is the so-called “Cervical Hyperflexion Test”. The patient sits in an upright sitting position on the treatment bench. He is now asked to place his chin on his chest in order to bend his cervical spine to the maximum.

    If pain occurs during this movement, the test is positive.

  3. The “Cervical Distraction Test” and the “Jackson ́s Test” tests exactly the opposite:

>In case of a herniated disc, it is important to relieve the affected region through exercises, stabilize the spine and improve posture. For the cervical spine, for example, the following exercise is suitable: You can find more exercises in the article Herniated disc in the cervical spine exercises

  • The affected person lies on a mat in a supine position. If available, a half-inflated Pilates ball can be placed under the head.

    The arms and hands lie beside the body, the legs are set at a 45° angle. The patient should now inhale through the nose and, as he exhales through the mouth, press the back of his head into the mat/ Pilates Ball. The chin is pushed backwards, creating a double chin.

    The patient will maintain this position for about 10 seconds, then release the tension. After a short break, repeat the exercises at least 5 times. The exercise not only strengthens the cervical spine, but also stretches it and thus relieves pressure on the spinal canal.