I am experiencing numbness and tingling in my right arm. I have two bulging discs in my neck.What's wrong?

Answer 1

Bulging discs can cause direct pressure on the nerve, or can cause swelling in the area of the nerve, both of which can cause nerve irritation and numbness. Depending on what parts of your arm are numb, you can tell which nerves are being pinched. If it's your whole arm, most likely it isn't the disc that's bothering it, but more likely muscle or vascular problems.
Your first two fingers are nerve root C-6, your middle three fingers are C-7, and the pinky finger and medial part of your arm are C-8. This will help you decide what part of the neck you are having problems with.
Treatments include anti-inflammatory, steroid injections, axial traction, and adjustments or physical therapy. Those are conservative therapies. If the numbness persists and you've had an MRI, your next step is to see a neurosurgeon. They may give you some other options. Surgery is a last resort option, and I would look at all other options before deciding.
It is possible that the numbness could be caused by something other than bulging discs. Up to 75% of the population has asymptomatic (no pain) disc bulges and would never know it with out an MRI. So it is important to have a thorough exam to make sure you are getting treatment for the correct problem.

Answer 2

You have a bundle of nerves originating in your neck called the brachial plexus. These nerves supply the shoulder and arm. Assuming the discs have migrated laterally into the nerve roots this will cause numbness/tingling in your arm. Entrapment of these nerves can also occur where they pass underneath your clavicle. Injury to muscles in the neck (scalenes, longus colli and longus capitis) can cause them to become so tight they actually pull the first rib up and squeeze the nerves and arteries between the rib and clavicle.

I am more interested in why the discs are bulging. Injury? Blunt trauma? Poor posture? Most likely what you are dealing with is extremely tight muscles on one side of your neck that are levering down on the vertebrae. This is causing the articular disc to literally get squeezed out of from between the vertebrae and into your nerves. Bones never move muscles; muscles always move bones. The only thing that will cause the vertebrae to do what they've done is tight muscles have moved them there. You've probably had a whiplash or similar neck injury that's traumatized the muscles.

By the way- doctors and surgeons will not look at muscles or other soft tissue as the cause of your condition. They will probably give you only two choices: medications or surgery. I can confidently assure you this can be corrected without either. Seek the help of a muscle specialist like a Neuromuscular Therapist, Rolfer or similar practitioner. A manipulative Osteopath would also be a wise choice

FYI- Many people on this site attribute everything causing numbness to "pinched" nerves. A genuine pinched nerve rarely happens. More commonly, nerves become entrapped or compressed by tissue, primarily muscles, around them.

Answer 3

The discs are pressing on your spinal nerves. See a neurologist or neuro-surgeon. Physical therapy may also help. If not - you may need surgery. Good luck!

Answer 4

GO TO A DOCTOR-don't mess about sending messages to people who haven't got a clue what your problem is,you are obviously in some discomfort,so go see a professional who can sort it out and who knows what they are talking about and can give you the help you need-GET WELL SOON!

Answer 5

sounds like you really hurt your back. The disks are pinching the nerves that go into your arm..

Answer 6

possible trapped nerve i would advise you to go see a chiropractor

Answer 7

Ask your doctor--it could be something serious.