Physical Therapy For Cervical Disc Herniation  in River Forest & Oak Park

When a Cervical Disc Herniation Causes Neck and Arm Symptoms

A cervical disc herniation happens when the soft inner portion of a spinal disc irritates nearby tissue and/or a nerve root in the neck. This can create symptoms not only in the neck, but also into the shoulder blade, arm, and hand.

 

At River Forest Health and Wellness, our approach is to:

• Identify whether your symptoms behave like a disc/nerve irritation pattern

• Reduce pain and restore motion using the right “directional” movements (often through McKenzie Therapy)

• Improve stability and long-term resilience with targeted rehab

 

Common Symptoms of a Cervical Disc Herniation

You may be dealing with a cervical disc issue if you notice:

• Neck pain that travels into the shoulder/arm

• Tingling, pins/needles, or numbness into the arm/hand

• Pain that worsens with certain postures (often sitting, driving, desk work)

• Symptoms that change quickly based on position or repeated movement

• Stiffness turning your head, looking up/down, or sustained posture

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Not every neck/arm symptom is a disc herniation—so we start with a thorough assessment.

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Our Assessment: Why We Don’t Guess

We focus on mechanical evaluation—how your symptoms respond to movement and posture—so we can choose treatments that actually match your presentation.

 

Your exam may include:

• Range of motion and symptom mapping (where pain travels)

• Neurological screening (strength, reflexes, sensation when appropriate)

• Posture and workstation-related factors

• McKenzie-style repeated movement testing to identify a directional preference

• Differentiating disc/nerve irritation from facet joint pain, muscular referral, or shoulder involvement

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How We Treat Cervical Disc Herniation at River Forest Health and Wellness

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1) McKenzie Therapy (MDT)

McKenzie Therapy is often highly effective for disc-related neck pain because it uses specific repeated movements and positions to:

• Reduce referred pain into the arm

• Improve neck mobility

• Teach you what movements help (and what to avoid early on)

• Build a home program so you’re not stuck relying on passive care

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2) Chiropractic Care & Joint Mobilization

When appropriate, we use gentle, targeted treatment to help:

• Restore motion in restricted neck/thoracic joints

• Reduce protective muscle guarding

• Improve the mechanics that may be keeping symptoms “stuck”

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3) Dry Needling (Myofascial Trigger Point Treatment)​

Disc irritation often creates secondary muscle tension in the

• Upper traps, levator scapulae, scalenes, suboccipitals, and upper back

• Dry needling can help reduce tone and improve comfort so you can move and rehab more effectively.

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4) Acupuncture

For patients who prefer an Eastern medicine approach (or want both), acupuncture may help with:

• Pain modulation

• Muscle tension

• Nervous system “calming” during flare-ups

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5) Rehab + Stability Work (DNS-Informed When Appropriate)

Once pain settles, we progress to:

• Scapular stability and postural endurance

• Deep neck flexor control

• Thoracic mobility + breathing mechanics

• Return-to-work and return-to-exercise planning

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What Makes Our Approach Different

Many people are told to “just rest” or “avoid everything.” We prefer a plan that is:

• Specific to your directional preference - through McKenzie Therapy

• Built around self-management - Take control of you pain!

• Progressed thoughtfully so you can get back to normal life with confidence

• typical treatments - 6-8 visit

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How Long Does Recovery Take?

Some flare-ups improve quickly when the correct movement strategy is found—others take longer depending on:

• How irritable the symptoms are

• Whether symptoms travel into the arm/hand

• Work posture demands

• Sleep positioning, stress, and overall recovery capacity

 

 

Our goal is to help you feel better fast—but also to reduce the chances of recurrence.

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FAQs: Cervical Disc Herniation

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Can a cervical disc herniation heal without surgery?

Many cases improve with conservative care. The key is matching treatment to your presentation and progressively restoring normal movement and strength.

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How do I know if my neck pain is a disc herniation or just a muscle strain?

Disc-related symptoms often change with posture and may refer into the shoulder/arm, sometimes with tingling or numbness. A proper mechanical and neurological exam helps differentiate this.

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What is “directional preference” and why does it matter?

Directional preference means there’s a direction of movement (like repeated retraction/extension or another pattern) that consistently reduces symptoms. Finding this can be a game-changer for disc-related pain.

 

Is it safe to move my neck if I have a disc herniation?

In most cases, yes—the right movements are helpful. We guide you on what to do and what to avoid early on, so you don’t accidentally flare symptoms.

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What sleeping position is best for a cervical disc herniation?

Many people do best with a supportive pillow that keeps the neck neutral and avoids sustained end-range rotation. We’ll help you troubleshoot positioning based on your specific symptom behavior.

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Do you treat arm pain, tingling, or numbness from the neck?

Yes—if your symptoms are coming from the neck (cervical spine), we’ll address the source and monitor neurological signs to ensure you’re responding appropriately.

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Will I need imaging like an MRI?

Not always. If symptoms are improving and the exam is reassuring, we often start conservatively. Imaging is more useful when symptoms are severe, not improving, or there are concerning neurological findings.

 

 

What if I’ve been told I have “degenerative discs”?

Degeneration on imaging is common—even in people without pain. What matters most is how you present clinically and how your symptoms respond to movement and treatment.

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Do you treat headaches related to neck disc issues?

Some headaches are cervicogenic (neck-related). If your exam suggests your headache is coming from the cervical spine and surrounding tissues, we can include that in the treatment plan.​