C5 Bulge

[Pico_Train]

Hi,

I am a 36 year old active male. I have a bulge on the left side of my neck. The bulge can increase and decrease in size. My physio said I had a problem at the C5 area.  I use to experience tingling down the left arm but that has now subsided after 3 courses of physio, rest, exercising and stretching. I also experience shoulder pain and muscle spasms just under the tip of the scapula cloase to the spine. The whole area can be sore or stiff when I wake up. I sleep with a pillow that supports the neck. It also feels like the muscle, vertically along the spine, is sore sometimes. If I do stretches and some yoga in the morning and take a hot shower, do some running I get some relief.  If I role a large towel and lie down on it with my spine along, that provides some good relief.

Swimming and surfing aggravate the neck a bit. The more I do it, the worse it feels. If I tilt my head to the left trying to touch my ear to my left shoulder, I experience a bit of pain. If I tilt my head slightly back, turn to the left and l experience a slightly painful sensation in the c5 bulge area.

Any recommendations? Ideas to heal? Things to avoid besides swimming and surfing? Vitamins?

Thanks for your help and enjoy the day!

[Pico_Train]

Thanks for the reply. How quickly does the connective tissue sort itself out?

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Mostly the cervical bulge is due to a cervical disc bulge. Usually patients have full recovery with appropriate physiotherapy management. The initial goal of treatment is to push the bulging disc back into its original position and then keep it there so the torn connective tissue at the back of the disc can heal. Certain activities push the bulging disc out and others push it back, recovery depends on the balance between the two. Avoid activities like bending the neck forward or slouching, cooking, cleaning, lifting and sneezing. Activities which help to push the disc back in include lying, standing, and walking with good posture, certain exercises taught by the physiotherapist like chin tucks, shoulder blade squeezes, or neck arches. Avoid prolonged sitting and optimal sitting posture is vital to minimise stress on the cervical disc. Take care.