Herniated discs in the neck and back occur when the gel-like disc between vertebrae in the spine ruptures and causes pain. Bone spurs also occur in the neck and back, and they are medically referred to as osteophytes, according to Dr. John H. Schneider of Spine-Health. Exercise can help to treat these medical conditions.
The Facts
A herniated disc is also referred to as a "bulged" or "slipped" disc. It can occur because of improper lifting, an injury or spontaneously. Herniated discs are common in adults over 30 years old, although only about eight percent of the cases involve neck herniation, according to the Mayfield Clinic, one of the largest neurosurgical practices in the world. Bone spurs are formed in older adults when calcium deposits begin to form the spurs; it's a slow process that is affected by heredity, nutrition, poor posture or injuries to the neck and back.
Symptoms
Pain in the neck and back area is one symptom of a herniated disc or bone spur formation. Other symptoms include pain in the arms or legs, numbness, weakness, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and muscle spasms. Physical therapy can help to improve these symptoms within about 4 to 6 weeks in the case of a herniated disc, according to the Mayfield Clinic, while Dr. Schneider points out that physical therapy can improve the symptoms associated with bone spurs within 1 to 2 weeks.
Function
The primary function of physical therapy exercises designed for patients suffering from neck herniation and/or bone spurs in the neck and back area is to improve the flexibility of the spine. Flexibility diminishes as you age, so focusing on low-resistance exercises designed to restore this lost flexibility can help to treat a herniated disc as well as prevent future problems.
Types
Two main types of therapeutic exercises are used to treat a herniated disc or osteophytes: stretches and low-resistance muscle-building exercises. Simple stretches include slowly tilting your head back and forward, toward one shoulder and then the other and rotating your head from side-to-side. As your condition begins to improve over a matter of days, you can add slight resistance to these exercises using your hand. The University of Maryland recommends performing these simple exercises up to three times per day.
Time Frame
Symptoms of a herniated disc and/or bone spurs will improve within days of starting a consistent physical therapy program, involving simple neck, back and arm stretching, according to Dr. Schneider. The exercise helps to improve your posture and flexibility, which usually helps to relieve some of the pressure on the nerves located in your spine. Herniated discs can repair themselves with the help of consistent exercise within 4 to 6 weeks, but do not do any heavy lifting during this recovery period. Bone spurs may require surgery in some cases, but talk to your doctor about your options.
