Will Physiotherapy Completely Cure Cervical Disc Herniation?

Posted on Wed, 18 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 18 Dec 2013 Answered on

Mon, 6 Jan 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have suffered a Cervical Disc herniation. MRI suggests that C5 / C6 disc herniates and compressing nerves. No Chord compression. There is a numb sensation at the top of right hand thumb. Doctor told it will go away after continues Physiotherapy. I am undergoing physiotherapy for the last 2 weeks. Will it be completely curable ? Will the portion of herniated disc will relocate to its original position ? Can I go back to sports activities ? Can I go back to normal activities ?

Answered by Dr. Saurabh Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: You can go back to normal activities Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for your query. The cause of your symptoms are disc herniation compressing the nerve roots. The resulting inflammation, compression and irritation of the nerve root is probably the source of your acute symptoms. Antiinflammatory medication and physiotherpy will be helpful in these conditions and should be tried initially. With physiotherapy muscle get strong and causes less pressure over nerve roots by herniated disc. Traction is helpful. It aligns the spine and decreases the pressure over nerve roots. You can go back to normal activities, but you have to avoid heavy weight lifting over neck. If the symptoms persist after these conservative therapy , surgery might required in that case. Hope this will helps you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar