Symptoms
Common symptoms
- Neck pain radiating into the shoulders, arms, or hands
- Numbness or tingling in one or both arms
- Weakness in the hand, arm, or grip
- Reduced fine-motor coordination
- Pain that worsens with certain neck positions
Cervical
Disc Herniation .
A cervical disc herniation occurs when part of a disc in the neck presses on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. This can cause neck pain that radiates into the shoulders, arms, or hands, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness. Some patients may also experience reduced grip strength or coordination.
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Diagnosis first. Treatment second.
Cervical (Neck) spine condition treated with conservative options first and motion-preserving surgery when needed.
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Cervical Disc Herniation at a glance
- What it is: A cervical disc herniation occurs when part of a disc in the neck presses on a spinal nerve or the spinal cord. This can cause neck pain that radiates into the shoulders, arms, or hands, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness. Some patients may also experience reduced grip strength or coordination.
- Common symptoms: Neck pain radiating into the shoulders, arms, or hands; Numbness or tingling in one or both arms; Weakness in the hand, arm, or grip.
- First-line treatment: Physical therapy — Targeted exercise, manual therapy, and posture training can often resolve symptoms without surgery.
- When surgery is considered: progressive symptoms, neurological changes, or pain unresponsive to conservative care.
Symptoms & causes
Understanding cervical disc herniation
Causes
Common causes
- Age-related disc wear
- Sudden lifting or twisting injury
- Repetitive strain or poor posture
- Trauma (motor vehicle accident, fall, sports)
- Genetic predisposition to disc degeneration
How Dr. Yasmeh treats it
Treatment options
Dr. Yasmeh starts with the least-invasive option that fits your case and only escalates when clearly needed.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Most patients improve without surgery. Dr. Yasmeh sequences therapy, medication, and targeted injections before considering operative options.
- Physical therapy — Targeted exercise, manual therapy, and posture training can often resolve symptoms without surgery.
- Anti-inflammatory medications — Short courses of NSAIDs or oral steroids reduce nerve inflammation and pain.
- Cervical epidural steroid injection — Image-guided injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly around the irritated nerve.
Surgical care
When neededWhen surgery is the right answer
When non-operative care has not worked or symptoms are progressive, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving techniques whenever clinically appropriate.
- Cervical microdiscectomy or laminoplasty — When conservative care does not relieve symptoms, Dr. Yasmeh offers motion-preserving alternatives to fusion when clinically appropriate.
Common questions
About cervical disc herniation.
- Most patients improve with conservative care — physical therapy, medication, and targeted injections. Dr. Yasmeh only recommends surgery when symptoms are progressive, when there is neurological compromise, or when conservative care has not resolved the problem.
- Diagnosis combines a careful history, physical exam, and imaging (typically MRI). Dr. Yasmeh reviews your imaging with you in plain language so you understand what's happening.
- Yes — Dr. Yasmeh offers second opinions, especially for patients told they need fusion. He evaluates motion-preserving alternatives like laminoplasty or artificial disc replacement when clinically appropriate.
- Dr. Yasmeh sees patients at four offices across Greater Los Angeles: East LA (1700 E Cesar Chavez Ave), Glendale (1505 Wilson Terrace), Santa Fe Springs (12215 Telegraph Rd), and Tarzana (18840 Ventura Blvd).
Related procedures
Procedures Dr. Yasmeh performs for this condition
Microdiscectomy
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreCervical Laminoplasty
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreArtificial Disc Replacement
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreEpidural Steroid Injection
Learn more about this procedure and when Dr. Yasmeh recommends it.
Read moreReady when you are
Get clarity on your cervical disc herniation today.
Same-week appointments. Four Greater LA offices. Most insurance accepted.