treatment for herniated disc c7- t1 level?

After an MRI I have been diagnosed wth disc herniation at c7-t1 level with probable compression of c8 root.Have sporadic pain in left shoulder, arm and elbow ( worse at night)and weakness in left hand- could not swing golf club as grip weak. Neurologist wary of cortisone shot in neck area- sending me to neuro-surgeon for evaluation,  Six months ago started high dose cortisone treatment for arteral temporitis and was down to 10mg of pregnisone when hand weakness came on suddenly.  Neurolist raised to 40mg for 5 days and am now back to 10mg- no dramatic effect with higher dose but now I realize I clearly felt somewhat better when on high dose-  Now I can't sleep withour pain killer. What are available treatments without surgery?

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

If there is progressive neurological compromise such as hand weakness, surgery is usually indicated to release pressure on the nerves. In other cases, ie pain only, conservative treatment is usually effective and may include wearing a neck brace at night, physical therapy, and analgesics/steroids.

[mv40]

the reference to arteral temporitis in my question should have been to temporal arteritis

[izayoielric]

A related discussion, Herniated disk at the c7-t1 area was started.