Do neck bulges go away?

Author: Dr. Elena Marks IV  |  Last update: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

A herniated (slipped or bulging) disk occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a disk in your spine pushes against and leaks out of its outer ring. This can lead to pain, numbness and weakness in your neck, back or legs. Herniated disks usually heal on their own within four to six weeks.

How to get rid of bulges in the neck?

Here are a few steps you can try at home: Neck and back strengthening exercises: Chin tucks, shoulder blade squeezes and strength training exercises that target your core and upper body can help build the muscles needed to support your spine and encourage proper alignment.

What helps a protruding neck?

Neck Flexion Stretch
  1. Sit or stand up straight.
  2. Slowly lower your chin towards your chest.
  3. Hold for 15-30 seconds.
  4. Gently release and repeat. Perform several sets but make sure not to overdo it – stretching too deep or too often can exacerbate the issue.

What causes a bulge in the neck?

Lumps in the muscles of the neck are caused by injury or spasm of the neck muscles (torticollis). These lumps are often at the front of the neck. Lumps in the skin or just below the skin are often caused by cysts, such as sebaceous cysts. The thyroid gland may also produce swelling or one or more lumps.

Do bulging discs ever fully heal?

Not all herniated discs fully heal. The bulging may shrink and pain may lessen, but the tear in the disc often remains1. However, the pain and symptoms usually disappear. In fact, herniated discs don't have to hurt at all.

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Is a bulging disc in the neck serious?

Cervical disc herniation is a common cause of neck pain in adults. The severity of the disease can range from mild to severe, and even life-threatening.

Can exercise make a bulging disc worse?

Traditional sit-ups and crunches can increase pressure on the lumbar spine and worsen a bulging disc. These movements can cause the disc to bulge further, leading to increased pain and discomfort.

Can neck disc bulge be cured permanently?

A disc bulge is both treatable and reversible with the right care. At CSC, we utilize NSD Therapy®, which combines spinal decompression therapy with advanced chiropractic and physiotherapy techniques to repair and reverse bulging discs without surgery or injections.

Can a neck bump go away?

Dr. Price says depending on your age and the severity, you often can improve or reverse a dowager's hump. You can accomplish this by strengthening your upper back and neck muscles. Increasing muscle tone helps pull up your shoulders and head.

Can a chiropractor fix a bulging disc?

If you suffer with this condition, then a chiropractor may be able to fix a bulging disc and relieve your pain. Things like bulging/protruding discs greatly impact spine health, and they also greatly impact our quality of life.

Can a neck hump be reversed?

Depending on your age, medical history, lifestyle and, of course, the severity of your Dowager's Hump, you often can improve or even reverse this misalignment. It can be accomplished by gradually strengthening and toning your upper back muscles to gently pull up your shoulders and your head.

Can a bulging disc get worse?

Have you ever felt a sharp, radiating pain in your back that just won't subside? It could be a sign that a bulging disc is getting worse. Bulging discs, while common, can escalate into more severe conditions if not addressed promptly.

Does sleeping without a pillow help posture?

Sleeping without a pillow may improve the posture of stomach sleepers, but it often has the reverse effect for back and side sleepers. Sleeping on your stomach frequently leads to poor sleep posture and strain on the neck and shoulders.

How to fix neck protrusion?

Physical therapy and exercises can help treat a bulging disc in the neck. This will include a mixture of gentle neck stretches and exercises to strengthen the neck and surrounding muscles. A range of other treatments, such as pain medication and surgery, are also available.

How do you get rid of neck lumps naturally?

Self care
  1. Apply a warm compress. Apply a warm, wet compress, such as a washcloth dipped in hot water and wrung out, to the affected area.
  2. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). ...
  3. Get adequate rest.

How do I get rid of a bulge in my neck?

The best exercises for a neck hump include:
  1. Shoulder rolls.
  2. Chin tucks.
  3. Cat pose.
  4. Chin-to-shoulder stretch.
  5. Squeezing your shoulder blades together.

Can a chiropractor fix a neck hump?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments are one of the most effective treatments for Dowager's hump. This is because chiropractic treatments adjust spinal misalignment. Chiropractic treatments are also customized for a patient's specific concerns.

What does a bulge in your neck mean?

The most common cause is swollen lymph nodes due to a virus or an infection like tonsillitis or strep throat. This is a standard immune system response that occurs when your body works to fight off sickness. A recent or active fever points to this as the culprit.

Is walking good for neck disc bulge?

In some cases, walking may actually help alleviate the symptoms of a herniated disc, as it can help to strengthen the muscles that support the spine and increase circulation to the affected area. However, it is important to listen to your body and avoid any activities or movements that cause pain or discomfort.

Can you massage a bulging disc back into place?

While direct manual pressure to the spine is contraindicated, massaging the surrounding muscular tissues can ease the symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc. In addition to relieving the discomfort, massage can also increase the chances of the disc healing on its own without invasive measures.

How to heal a bulging neck disc naturally?

Healing a bulging disc naturally involves a mix of gentle activity, and overall physical and mental wellbeing. The most effective approach is multi-disciplinary and finding the right balance is key. Moderate exercises like walking or swimming can keep you flexible and aid in healing.

What is the fastest way to heal a bulging disc?

Conservative treatment includes changing activities to stay away from movement that causes pain and taking pain medicines. This treatment relieves symptoms in most people within a few days or weeks.

Is it OK to stretch with a bulging disc?

A herniated or bulging disc can lead to muscle spasms in your back. Thus, it's recommended that you stretch your muscles as often as possible to ease the pain and prevent muscle spasms from becoming chronic.

Is it bad to sit with a bulging disc?

Sitting. Sitting for long periods of time isn't ideal for people with a herniated disc. A standing desk is a great option, but if you must sit, rest your spine firmly against the chair back, sit up straight, and don't slouch (which strains the spinal ligaments and aggravates a herniated disc).

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