Cervical spine · C5-C6 & C6-C7
Cervical disc bulge treatment without surgery
Neck slip disc care for arm pain, tingling fingers and stubborn shoulder-blade ache — cervical spinal decompression, Class 4 laser and deep neck rehabilitation at our South Delhi clinics.
Quick answer
Can a cervical disc bulge be treated without surgery?
A cervical disc bulge is a neck disc whose outer wall has stretched outward, most often at C5-C6 or C6-C7, irritating a nerve root that runs into the shoulder, arm and fingers. At Back2Health it is treated without surgery using cervical spinal decompression — computer-controlled traction through a padded head harness that unloads the specific disc — plus Class 4 laser for nerve-root inflammation, correction of the stiff upper thoracic spine, and deep neck flexor and scapular retraining. A typical course is 12–18 sessions over 6–8 weeks.
Symptoms
What a neck disc bulge actually feels like.
Neck discs refer pain far from the neck — many patients arrive convinced the problem is a frozen shoulder or tennis elbow.
Typical symptoms
- Neck stiffness with a deep ache between the shoulder blades
- Pain radiating into the shoulder, outer arm or forearm
- Tingling or numbness in specific fingers
- Weak grip, dropping objects, difficulty overhead
- Headaches from the base of the skull; symptoms worse looking up
Red flags — go to hospital
- Clumsy hands with unsteady walking (possible cord involvement)
- Weakness in both arms or both legs
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe neck pain after trauma, with fever, or with weight loss
The protocol
How a cervical bulge is corrected.
Week 1–2 · Unload the neck disc
Cervical decompression through a padded harness at the angle for your C5-C6 or C6-C7 lesion, with Class 4 laser over the nerve root. Target: arm pain retreating towards the neck.
Week 3–5 · Free the upper back
Mobilisation of the stiff upper thoracic spine and first ribs that force the neck to compensate, shockwave for chronic trapezius and levator guarding, nerve glides once inflammation settles.
Week 6 onwards · Rebuild and discharge
Deep neck flexor and scapular retraining, super-inductive therapy for the deep stabilisers, screen and pillow correction, objective re-testing, home programme, discharge.
Book an assessment
Get a straight answer about your spine.
Bring your MRI or X-ray. You'll leave the first consultation knowing exactly what is wrong, whether decompression is right for you, and how many sessions it should take.
Answers
Cervical disc bulge questions.
Can a cervical disc bulge be treated without surgery?+
Yes, in the large majority of cases. Because a bulge is still contained, reducing pressure inside the disc lets the wall recoil inward. Cervical decompression does that mechanically while laser controls the inflammation that is producing most of the arm pain.
Why do my fingers tingle with a neck disc bulge?+
Each cervical nerve root supplies specific fingers. C6 irritation tingles the thumb and index finger, C7 the middle finger, and C8 the ring and little fingers. The pattern of your tingling helps confirm which disc on your MRI is actually symptomatic.
Is neck traction at home safe for a cervical disc bulge?+
Over-the-door home traction kits apply an uncontrolled, constant pull and frequently aggravate an irritated nerve root. Clinical cervical decompression cycles the load at a set angle and force for the specific disc, which is why it is tolerated when home traction is not.
What makes a cervical disc bulge worse?+
Laptop and phone use with the head forward, sleeping on a high or stacked pillow, prolonged looking up, heavy overhead pressing, and aggressive neck cracking during an acute flare. Workstation and pillow correction is part of the protocol, not an afterthought.
How long does cervical disc treatment take?+
Arm pain often eases within 2–3 weeks; a full course is 12–18 sessions over 6–8 weeks followed by a home programme. Call +91 88005 05844 for an examination and MRI review with a written session count and cost.