Because we look at our phones or sit at the computer every day, we constantly sit with our necks bent. This goes well for a long time, but at some point, your neck gets sore. You may feel a radiating pain in the arm, shoulders and even in the hand. The arm may feel numb or tingly. Sometimes there may even be paralysis symptoms or certain muscles failing. In this article, we will discuss what a neck hernia is, its treatment, its occurrence and various factors that can cause a neck hernia.
What is a neck hernia?
A neck hernia involves a pinched nerve. This nerve becomes irritated or inflamed as a result, which can cause you to feel constant pain around the shoulder blade and towards the arm. Because the nerve is less able to transmit signals, there is also often tingling, numbness and sometimes loss of strength. Arm pain is often more severe than neck pain and gets worse when you make certain movements with your neck. A neck hernia is annoying, but generally completely gone between 6 and 9 months. The nerve is often somewhat swollen and therefore takes up more space. Fortunately, surgery is almost never necessary, as the swollen nerve shrinks back to normal size.
What do you recognise a neck hernia by?
This varies from person to person. You can have a neck hernia without suffering from this. You often have neck pain first before you get a neck hernia. The symptoms of a neck hernia are different from those of a herniated disc in the back. This is because the nerve roots in the neck branch out to the shoulder, arm and hands. The result of a neck hernia is radiating pain in the shoulders and arm, often even into the hand. The arm may feel different from normal and may feel tingly or numb. There may be loss of strength in the hand or arm. It is even possible that paralysis symptoms may occur and certain muscles may fail.
Treatment of a neck hernia
First of all, we advise you to take rest. As you rest, you reduce the strain on the neck. Then it is important that you tighten the neck in the right ways. Together with you, we increase the mobility of the neck and the irritated nerve. Because this nerve has been pinched for a long time, this requires specific exercises so that it does not remain hypersensitive to movements. These are very precise, calm and pain-free movements with the arm and neck.
How does a neck hernia occur?
There are several activities that, if done often enough, can cause a neck hernia. These are: bending the neck forward, poor posture (slumped), activities where the arms are held in front of the body and lifting. Twisting or bending the neck sideways can also cause strain. Sometimes it can come from a small but violent movement, such as intense sneezing. If you suddenly bend your neck when there was previous overuse, this can be just the drop. Also, sleeping in the wrong posture for a long time can have bad effects on your neck. Read more about good posture here.
These factors contribute to the development of a neck hernia
- Bad attitude;
- Joint stiffness;
- Muscle weakness;
- Previous neck injuries;
- Poor lifting technique;
- A lifestyle that involves a lot of sitting (passive) or physically demanding work (overwork).
We usually see osteoarthritis leading to weakening of cartilage. This weakening increases the risk of fracture, possibly resulting in a herniated disc. We often see that in most people with a neck hernia, the muscle condition is not optimal. The muscles do not work well together or are too weak, resulting in a higher risk of a neck hernia.
