Anyone with same problem and did you try chiropractor and/or physical therapy and did it help?I've had neck problems for a while and I work for the postal service where I have to be able to lift/toss packages that weigh up to 70 pounds.I'm scheduled for neurosurgeon early next week to see what my next step should be.Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to NT

Yes, I have bulges and they're something to be reckoned with.

Bulges are soft tissue (not bone) They are located in between your vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers for the verbetrae, when you bend, lift, stretch, jump...

Bulges are like knots on a tire. Herniations are like a jelly doughnut that has a hole in the outside ring and gelatinous material inside the disc is coming out, on a microscopic basis.

Herniations are worse structure-wise. Bulges can be as painful as herniations. Hurting is hurting, right?

In fact, with good body mechanics and care, a bulge can go back in place. I had that happen in between MVA accidents.

Don't know how old you are. Age, history, genetics, smoking, hydration, nutrition, social activities, past injuries come into play here too.

There are small, medium and broad descriptions to be considered.

The neck, on females especially, don't have much protection from repetitive stress injuries or other injurious situations that happen to us. Causation is really not important, I guess. A good plan of treatment and understanding is what you seek.

I've had lots of PT. I do believe it helped. Lots of other stuff too. I have lots of postings on cervical and TOS. WARNING... they're usually long.

Sometimes rest and PT or chiro or other choices will get you back in good anatomical fitness, but it might require some time off work to heal and recover. Better a little time off now than a lot of time out later.

Through my medical journey, I've been given an inherent belief that bulges are not usually a surgical situation. Painful granted, but not surgical. I had epidurals X3 that helped me tremendously, with my cervical issues, and even helped my lower back pain some. There's many options to consider. Just no quick fixes.

Here's a link to get you started:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum22.html

No question or concern is silly here. Ask if you need to know something. We've been there.

Hello Karen, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with so many friendly, helpful, and caring people.

We're so very glad you found us!

Hmm - could this be a work related injury?
no sports, falls or car accidents or other trauma to cause it?


We have a Workers Comp forum also.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum30.html

sometimes it's best to learn about the system before you have to jump in to it...

Thank you all for your replies!I'm 46 and have not had any falls or ever been in an accident that would have caused this.My guess is it's the repetetive work I've done for 15 yrs. in the postal service.I just know I'm tired of hurting every day of my life and would like some relief.I'm nervous about what the neurosurgeon will say on Tuesday,but actually I think it'll be a relief if he says I need surgery.I've tried pt and chiro,but at that time xray only showed arthritis,only recently had first MRI that show bulging discs and of course it couldn't be only one.

I too have bulges. I have had the epidural too. I saw a pain management doctor for my pain. I have had physical therapy. But I can't remember if I had it for this. I couldn't move my neck at the time I had this problem.

Donna