A bulging or herniated disc in the neck can cause a great deal of pain in some people. This occurs when a small bundle of nerves protrudes (bulges) and becomes pinched between two vertebra bones in the spine of the neck. While surgery is a last resort option, there are several things that a person can do to treat a bulging cervical disc at home.
Instructions
1. When the pain begins, start icing it as soon as possible. Icing the injured cervical disc will help alleviate the inflammation. Do not ice the area for longer than 20 minutes at a time. Any longer, and you risk tissue damage to the area around the bulging cervical disc that you are trying to treat. Apply ice packs for 20 minutes every hour, for four to eight hours per day, depending on how many hours you spend at home.
2. Apply warm moist heat starting on your third or fourth day after the injury to your bulging cervical disc. The ice helps to alleviate inflammation, and the heat will work to relax tight, sore muscles that resulted from trying to hold your cervical spine still. Wet a towel, wring it out until it is not dripping, and place in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Place in a large Ziploc bag, and place on your sore neck. If the towel is not hot enough, put it back in the microwave for another 10 to 20 seconds. If the towel is too hot, wrap the Ziploc bag in a dry towel and apply it to your neck.
3. Support your neck with a neck brace when you are walking around the house or out in public. This will prevent your neck from moving too much, which could cause more pain from the bulging cervical disc. A neck brace can be purchased at most pharmacies.
4. Comfort the bulging cervical disc by using a cervical support pillow to support your head and ease the tension on your bulging cervical disc when you are in bed or laying down. This pillow mimics the natural curve of the cervical spine, allowing the neck to be in its most comfortable position. See the "Resources" section below for a link to a high density cervical support pillow.
5. Get plenty of rest. The human body is very resilient, and can heal itself if given the proper amount of rest. Let your housework and yard work suffer for a few weeks, while you pamper your neck and bulging cervical disc at home.
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