Top 10 reasons why I have a herniated disc in my neck

In February of 2011 I started to feel pain in the top and back my shoulder which eventually spread to pain down the outside of the elbow along with numbness in my first 2 fingers. In the past I experienced intermittent neck soreness on either side but nothing like this.

I tried to deny it, but as a healthcare practitioner I knew I was most likely dealing with a posterior-lateral herniated C6/7 disc with compression on the C7 nerve root which turned out after MRI findings (above with arrow for symptomatic findings)  and a correlative physical evaluation (weakness in my triceps, max-foraminal compression duplicated pain and numbness, increased sx with sneezing and coughing, etc.) to be correct.

I think it is common and human nature for us to blame the last reasonable incident that occurred as the only culprit however in particular with necks and backs I think cumulative trauma or even inactivity are more to blame than 1 single incident (ie picking something up off the ground, sitting for 1 long plane flight, sleeping in an awkward position 1 time). Here is my top 10 reasons for my own current situation in no particular order:

1. 8 years of rugby (I think I played just a little too long)
2. 4 years of football (Helmets help but can only do so much)
3. 4 years of wrestling (most of the time poorly – on my back .. bridging on my neck)
4. sleeping on my stomach (I don’t think having my head turned to the side every night helped)
5. using a PDA (I switched to a touch screen which caused many re-types & frustration)
6. watching TV in bed (I knew I was doing something wrong but I did it anyway)
7. reading on the train (I now hold my book up if I need to read in front of my face)
8. carrying a heavy bag (don’t think this directly caused it but tightened up the surrounding muscles)
9. Paper work (I set up all standing work stations in my home and work .. helped tremendously)
10. Looking down to talk to my patients / poor body mechanics while working

Please reply with any comments or questions .. I will try to get out a list of the lifestyle modifications I have made since then that have been helping tremendously in addition to the great Physical Therapy I have received from my co-workers at NY Sports Med

Steve Horney