C5-C6 Disc Changes and Non-Invasive Neck Care

By Yama Zafer, D.C.

C5-C6 is the motion segment between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae and one of the neck levels most often named on MRI reports. Disc and joint changes here can involve the C6 nerve root. Symptoms can then include neck or shoulder-blade pain, tingling toward the thumb side of the hand, or weakness bending the elbow or lifting the wrist.

Those patterns are clues, not a diagnosis on their own. A proper assessment compares where the symptoms run with strength, reflexes, sensation, neck movement and any imaging. Shoulder conditions and other nerve entrapments can produce similar arm symptoms, which is why the examination should not stop at the scan.

In my practice, C5-C6 care is gentle and non-rotatory, joined with physiotherapy and kept within what you can comfortably tolerate. Below are where the level sits, its disc bulge and C6 nerve symptoms, cord signs and the 999 warning signs. Then come the causes, the whole neck as a chain and how care is planned.

This guide, C5-C6 Spine: Disc Bulge Symptoms, Nerves and Treatment, is published by Chiropractic Specialty Center, Bukit Damansara (KL) main center: WhatsApp+60 17 269 1873 Call+603 2093 1000

Key Insights on C5-C6 Disc Changes

Question	Short answer
Where is C5-C6?	In the lower half of the neck, just below the Adam's apple, between the fifth and sixth neck bones. Few neck joints bend forward and back as much, which is one reason it shows wear more often.
How common is disc degeneration here?	The C5-C6 segment is one of the most commonly affected areas in cervical disc degeneration, because of its mobility and mechanical stress. Bulges are common even without symptoms (Nakashima and colleagues, 2015).
What does C6 nerve root compression feel like?	Pain or tingling runs from the neck down the outer arm into the thumb and index finger. Bending the elbow or lifting the wrist back can be weak, with a weaker elbow or forearm reflex.
Does a disc bulge at C5-C6 press on the nerve?	In my view, a true disc bulge as the MRI shows it does not. When arm symptoms come with a bulge on the report, the disc is likely in transition and pushes further out when you are upright.
Which symptoms point to the spinal cord?	Weakness that keeps getting worse, clumsy hands or an unsteady walk. These need a prompt medical assessment. In people without symptoms, cord compression was found most often at C5-C6 (Nakashima and colleagues, 2015).
Why do I call C5-C6 a workhorse?	Along with C4-C5, it does most of the neck's work after the top joints, C0-C1 and C1-C2. Long hours looking down at a laptop or phone load it as heavily as the upper neck, if not more.
What is the outlook for a pinched C6 nerve?	Usually good. In a review, people with a pinched nerve from a neck disc often improved a lot within four to six months. About 83% recovered fully within two to three years (Wong and colleagues, 2014).
Is yoga safe with a C5-C6 disc problem?	No. Yoga must be avoided with a C5-C6 disc problem. My Back Pain to Leg Pain talk says: “If you have this problem, do not do yoga at all, even if it feels good.”
What can treatment include?	Gentle, non-rotatory chiropractic, which means no twisting or cracking, with physiotherapy for the deep neck muscles. Neck flexion-distraction or traction and changes to screen and desk habits can be added when the assessment supports them.

C5-C6 Guide: Jump to a Section

• Where C5-C6 Is, and How It Compares With C4-C5 and C6-C7
• C5-C6 Disc Bulge: Symptoms and What It Means
• The C6 Nerve Root: Symptoms From a C5-C6 Disc
• Spinal Cord Compression at C5-C6
• Book Gentle Neck Care in Kuala Lumpur
• Understanding the C5-C6 Motion Segment
• Cervical Spinal Discs and Their Role in Neck Function
• Understanding Cervical Facet Joints in the Neck
• Common Causes of C5-C6 Related Neck Problems
• Recognizing Variations in Lower Neck Function
• One Chain From the Skull to C7
• Why Forceful Neck Methods Are Avoided
• Non-Surgical Treatment for C5-C6 Disc Bulge and Nerve Symptoms
• Postural and Lifestyle Strategies for Spinal Stability
• FAQ: C5-C6 Disc, Nerve and Neck Care

Where C5-C6 Is, and How It Compares With C4-C5 and C6-C7

The neck has seven bones, named C1 to C7 from the skull down. C5-C6 is the joint and disc between the fifth and sixth bones, in the lower half of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. It is one of the neck's busiest joints for bending forward and back. That is one reason it shows wear more often than the levels above it.

Its neighbors behave a little differently. A C4-C5 disc usually affects the C5 nerve root, which serves the top of the shoulder and upper arm. Its symptoms can feel like a shoulder problem. A C6-C7 disc usually affects the C7 nerve root, which runs to the middle finger and the back of the arm.

Because several levels often show changes on the same MRI, the exam is used to find the one that matches the symptoms. Care at CSC is planned for that level and for the neck as a whole. It joins gentle non-rotatory chiropractic, focused physiotherapy and posture work for long hours at a desk or on a phone.

C5-C6 Disc Bulge: Symptoms and What It Means

A C5-C6 disc bulge means the disc between the fifth and sixth neck bones spreads a little past the edges of the bones. It is one of the most common findings on a neck MRI.

It is also very common in people with no neck pain at all. A Japanese study scanned the necks of 1,211 people without symptoms and found disc bulges in 87.6% of them (Nakashima and colleagues, 2015). Even among people in their 20s, about three out of four had at least one bulge.

So a bulge on a report is often part of normal wear, not a problem by itself. In my view, a true disc bulge, in the shape the MRI records, does not compress the C6 nerve root or the cord.

Arm symptoms with a bulge on the report mean something else is going on. The MRI is taken lying down, usually after rest, with no body weight on a disc that has filled with fluid. Sitting, driving or working hunched over a screen loads it again, and the weakened outer fibers give way further.

I describe that disc as being in transition: what the scan calls a bulge behaves, upright, like a protrusion, a prolapse or a herniation. That is when it matters, and it then matches what the person feels.

The stages run on from there. A herniated disc can progress to an extruded disc. When a fragment tears partly away, the disc is fragmented; when it tears away completely, it is fully fragmented, also called a sequestered disc.

In the same Japanese study, the few people whose cord was pressed were most often pressed at C5-C6 (Nakashima and colleagues, 2015). That is why the check at CSC compares the MRI with the exam.

Care for the neck stays gentle and non-rotatory, which means no twisting or cracking. It can include neck flexion-distraction or traction, focused physiotherapy for the deep neck muscles, and changes to screen and desk habits. Yoga is not included: with a C5-C6 disc problem, yoga must be avoided.

The C6 Nerve Root: Symptoms From a C5-C6 Disc

A C5-C6 disc usually affects the C6 nerve root, which leaves the spine at that level. When this nerve is irritated, pain or tingling can run from the neck down the outer arm into the thumb and index finger.

The exam also looks for weakness when bending the elbow or lifting the wrist back, and for a weaker reflex at the elbow or forearm. Strength testing covers the wrist extensors for C6, and the biceps reflex reflects C5 and C6 (Margetis and colleagues, 2025).

These checks tell a C6 problem apart from shoulder, elbow or wrist problems that can feel similar, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. The C6 root accounts for roughly a quarter of nerve root cases in the neck, second only to C7 (Margetis and colleagues, 2025).

The outlook is usually good. A review found a pinched nerve from a neck disc often improves a lot within four to six months (Wong and colleagues, 2014). About 83% of people recover fully within two to three years.

Weakness that keeps getting worse, clumsy hands or an unsteady walk should be checked properly, because these can point to pressure on the spinal cord. Where weakness is present, conservative care can continue only while the weakness itself is improving.

For most people, though, care centers on the irritated nerve: gentle non-rotatory methods, traction, focused physiotherapy and a slow return to normal activity.

Spinal Cord Compression at C5-C6

Compression of the spinal cord at C5-C6 is one of the conditions this level can carry. Pressure on the cord is called myelopathy, and it tends to show in both hands or in the walk rather than along one nerve.

Typical signs are numb or clumsy hands, tingling in several limbs, weakness and unsteady walking. The legs often feel heavy early on (Margetis and colleagues, 2025). These signs call for a prompt medical assessment.

Cord pressure also turns up on scans of people who feel nothing. In 1,211 people without symptoms, 5.3% had cord compression. It sat most often at C5-C6, at 41%, and then C6-C7, at 27% (Nakashima and colleagues, 2015).

A smaller MRI study looked at 497 people with no symptoms. In 7.6%, a disc protrusion pressed on the cord, mostly in people past 50 (Matsumoto and colleagues, 1998). On its own, the report decides nothing; the examination does.

Emergency Signs: Call 999

Do not wait for an appointment if a stroke sign appears suddenly. Call 999, and let someone else do the driving, for any sign on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list:

• A face, arm or leg that suddenly feels numb or weak, most often on one side of the body.
• Sudden confusion, slurred or difficult speech, or trouble understanding.
• Sudden difficulty seeing with one eye or with both.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, a loss of balance or clumsy coordination.
• A severe headache that strikes suddenly, with no known cause.

After a fall, a crash or a blow, Mayo Clinic's first-aid advice treats these as signs of a possible spinal injury. Call 999, keep the person from moving, and keep the head and neck steady:

• The injury involved heavy force to the back or the head.
• The person has severe pain in the neck or the back.
• A head injury is followed by a change in consciousness that persists.
• There is weakness, numbness or paralysis, or the arms, legs, bladder or bowels cannot be controlled.
• The neck or back is twisted or held in an unusual position.

Book Gentle Neck Care in Kuala Lumpur

Care combines chiropractic, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, with the plan built around what the assessment shows is driving the neck symptoms. CSC provides structured spinal care programs for people seeking non-surgical support for spinal movement and postural function.

Readers in northwest Kuala Lumpur can read about the Bandar Sri Damansara center. Its address, telephone number and opening hours are listed under Bandar Sri Damansara location and opening hours. For the main center, see how to reach the Bukit Damansara center.

• Bukit Damansara (KL, main center): Call +603 2093 1000 or WhatsApp +60 17 269 1873 to see the Bukit Damansara / KL center.
• Bandar Sri Damansara (KL): Call +603 6262 5777 or WhatsApp +60 12 455 6939 to see the Bandar Sri Damansara center.

Contact Chiropractic Specialty Center to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward care for your cervical spine. Before a first visit, the current chiropractic price in Kuala Lumpur and physiotherapy fees in Kuala Lumpur are both listed.

Understanding the C5-C6 Motion Segment

The C5-C6 motion segment sits in the lower cervical spine, where the neck transitions toward the shoulders. It is one of the most active and engaged segments, contributing to head and neck mobility. That makes it more likely to show structural changes over time. The region includes:

• Two vertebrae, C5 and C6, which contribute to neck positioning and movement balance.
• Four facet joints, which assist spinal movement.
• The spinal disc and its supporting structures, which play a role in spinal stability and flexibility.
• Front structures: the anterior longitudinal ligament and the C5-C6 disc, which provide shock absorption and flexibility.
• Back structures: the facet joints and supporting ligaments, which guide movement while preventing excessive motion.

Studies published in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research highlight that this motion segment supports head movement. It is one of the most engaged spinal segments in daily activities. Attention to postural habits, movement mechanics and stability at this level supports long-term function and mobility.

The fifth and sixth neck bones are two of the five lower vertebrae, C3 to C7, that make up the subaxial spine. Raised side rims, the uncinate processes, form the joints of Luschka, which keep one bone from slipping on the next (Kaiser and colleagues, 2023).

Cervical Spinal Discs and Their Role in Neck Function

Cervical spinal discs are cushions between the vertebrae of the neck, with a role in spinal alignment and movement. These spinal discs contribute to:

• Structural support for the head and neck.
• Movement and flexibility.
• Connecting the vertebrae while keeping them aligned.
• Spreading pressure evenly across the cervical spine.
• Forming part of the neural foramina, the passageways for the spinal nerves.

The spinal disc guide explains the disc's two parts and how damage to them progresses.

Understanding Cervical Facet Joints in the Neck

Facet joints play a role in neck movement and postural stability. These joints connect the cervical vertebrae:

• Atlanto-occipital joint: supports head movement and allows controlled nodding.
• Atlanto-axial joint: connects C1 to C2 and assists head rotation.
• Cervical facet joints: synovial joints formed by the cervical vertebrae, which guide movement and spinal stability.

Common Causes of C5-C6 Related Neck Problems

C5-C6 bends forward and back more than most joints in the neck, so wear and injury both find it. Conditions that can affect C5-C6 include:

• C5-C6 slipped disc: a bulging, herniated, protruded, prolapsed, extruded, fragmented or sequestered disc.
• C5-C6 spinal canal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal.
• Torn or degenerated ligaments.
• Facet arthritis or arthropathy at C5-C6.
• Bone spurs or cervical osteoarthritis.
• Weak or torn neck muscles.
• C5-C6 facet joint inflammation.
• Misalignment or subluxation of C5 on C6.
• Disc degeneration at C5-C6.
• Facet syndrome affecting C5-C6.
• Cervical facet dislocation or subluxation.
• Cervical spondylolisthesis, the slippage of one vertebra over another.
• Compression of the spinal cord at C5-C6.
• Compression or impingement of the C6 nerve.
• Cervical kyphosis, a forward curvature of the neck.
• Cervical scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the neck.
• Fractures of the C5 or C6 vertebrae.
• Discitis, an infection of the intervertebral disc.
• Tumors or neoplasms.

Spondylosis and Canal Narrowing at C5-C6

Cervical spondylosis is the wear of the neck's discs, joints and ligaments over the years, often with bone spurs. Stenosis means the spinal canal, or a nerve opening beside it, has narrowed.

Degenerative changes at C5-C6 can bring neck stiffness, a smaller range of motion and, when a nerve is involved, tingling or numbness in the arms.

Both changes are common at this level. On X-rays of 200 people aged 20 to 65 without symptoms, a narrow canal went with wear at the same disc. The strongest link was with bone spurs at the back of C5-C6 (Gore and colleagues, 1986).

On MRI, narrowed nerve openings appeared in 20% of people over 40 who had no neck symptoms (Boden and colleagues, 1990). A finding like that explains pain only when the examination matches it.

Spondylosis and stenosis at C5-C6 are cared for with the same gentle, non-rotatory plan described below, with no twisting or cracking. With weakness that keeps worsening, or signs of cord pressure, a medical assessment comes first.

Common Factors Influencing Spinal Disc and Joint Health

The C5-C6 motion segment carries high mobility demands, so it is prone to structural changes over time. Common contributing factors include:

• Increased spinal load: repetitive movement or sustained postures can affect disc and joint function.
• Postural influences: extended screen time, prolonged sitting or movement imbalances can add neck strain.
• Repetitive movement: frequent bending, lifting, strain or rotation-based movements can affect joint mobility and spinal positioning.
• Impact-related stressors: the way the body adjusts to daily activities can influence neck mobility.

Knowing how the cervical structures adapt makes it easier to adopt targeted postural strategies for spinal alignment and function.

Recognizing Variations in Lower Neck Function

People with changes in the C5-C6 motion segment may notice signs at three levels:

Mild Indicators

• Changes in neck flexibility, mobility or positioning.
• Tension, tightness or stiffness near the upper back, the shoulders or the lower neck.
• Awareness of pressure in the neck after holding a position for long, or postural strain between the shoulders.
• Postural tension that brings pain, tightness or a new awareness of movement.

Moderate Indicators

• Numbness or tingling in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands.
• Burning sensations in the neck and upper back that come with movement.
• Changes in coordination linked to spinal alignment.

Severe Indicators

• Changes in wrist function, including difficulty extending the wrist.

A structured approach to spinal care addresses movement mechanics and spinal alignment over time, and it aims to maintain C5-C6 stability and function.

One Chain From the Skull to C7

I regard the cervical spine as a single connected chain. A problem low in the neck spreads to the middle levels and on up to the top of the neck. From there it reaches the base of the skull and, eventually, the brainstem and the brain.

After the top joints, C0-C1 and C1-C2, the neck's two workhorses are C5-C6 and C4-C5. Most of the weight shifted by a head-forward posture, at a laptop, a phone or a handheld device, lands on these lower levels. As I see it, they take as much of that stress as the upper neck, or more.

The multifidus and the erector spinae span every segment between the skull base and C7. In my view, they strain the levels one by one and, together, bring degenerative and spondylotic changes.

If that goes on, the result can be an impinged spinal nerve or an impinged spinal cord. At times the cord then develops edema, a swelling, or degenerative change.

At CSC, care for the C5-C6 region is structured and non-forceful. This level works closely with nearby segments, from C2-C3 and C3-C4 to C4-C5, C6-C7 and down to C7-T1. When one level is under stress, the others often compensate.

Care for the C5-C6 segment always belongs to a wider plan for the entire cervical spine, from the upper neck down. It blends chiropractic, physiotherapy and targeted strategies for neck pain or stiffness. Every step is matched to the spine's natural mechanics, whether the concern is a disc, a joint or the soft tissue.

Why Forceful Neck Methods Are Avoided

We do not use aggressive methods like the Ring Dinger® or other non-scientific pulls. A forceful pull or twist puts sudden load on a disc that may already be weakened.

“Aggressive neck care is never good and should always be avoided.” That is my rule in Neck Cracks Are Dangerous, the video below on the damage forceful cracks and pulls can cause.

The video shares non-invasive approaches available in Kuala Lumpur, with a focus on posture, spine care and the methods suited to cervical disc concerns. The chapters and an edited transcript are on the Neck Cracks Are Dangerous video page.

Non-Surgical Treatment for C5-C6 Disc Bulge and Nerve Symptoms

At Chiropractic Specialty Center (CSC), C5-C6 care is a structured, non-invasive program for spinal alignment, movement and postural stability. It integrates:

• Chiropractic management and care: gentle, non-rotatory methods, which means no twisting or cracking, chosen for spinal mobility and joint function.
• Physiotherapy-based interventions: focused work on the deep neck muscles, muscle flexibility and spinal joint movement.
• Personalized movement strategies: exercise in CSC's physio gym, or take-home exercise and posture recommendations for neck positioning.
• Neck flexion-distraction or traction, when the assessment supports it.

Chiropractic care, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are the usual first route when nerve function is stable.

One plan joins chiropractic and physiotherapy. Asked which of the two to pick, I answer in Is Chiropractic Safe? 13 Questions Answered: “Don't choose between one or the other. Choose both.”

Care is kept within what you can comfortably tolerate. Speak up at once if anything hurts; pain tells me to lighten the method. I keep to one motto: “No pain, more gain.”

Plans are reviewed as they go. If there is no progress by the fifth session, I look at the plan again; Is Chiropractic Safe? 13 Questions Answered gives that rule. By the tenth session, we decide on the next step together.

I see surgery as the end of the road, not the start. In Sciatica vs Slipped Disc: Video Explanation my words are: “Surgery should be the last option. Exhaust conservative route.”

Conservative care, as I use the words, is focused care. It follows what your scan and examination show, goes after the causes they document and takes in the whole neck. Doing no harm comes first. Run-of-the-mill neck treatment does not qualify, and many forms of conservative care are useless. Only when focused care has been given properly and still has not worked does surgery become an option.

For a child, care at C5-C6 is planned around a developing neck. The guide to neck manipulation in children lists what international guidance advises at each age. The guide to chiropractic care for children explains the first visit. For teenagers, I may use chiropractic manipulation that is non-rotatory using the Activator instrument.

The possible effects and risks are explained before care begins. The fee for a plan is explained and agreed before care begins.

Postural and Lifestyle Strategies for Spinal Stability

Daily movement awareness and posture adjustments support spinal mobility and function. Consider these strategies:

• Postural awareness: support the neck's position while sitting, standing, lifting and during daily activities.
• Short breaks to move the neck every half hour during long hours at a desk or on a phone.
• Controlled movements: structured activities that keep flexibility and movement balanced.
• Workstation ergonomics: supportive seating and proper alignment to cut unnecessary stress.
• Hydration and nutrition: enough fluid and nutrients for spinal function.
• Avoiding repetitive strain: change movement patterns to prevent unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders.

Considerations for Cervical Spinal Care

Certain procedures for spinal concerns involve adjustments to spinal structures. Considerations include postural balance, to take unnecessary stress off the neck, and natural movement, to maintain mobility. Less repetitive strain protects spinal function over time.

For individual recommendations, the chiropractors and physiotherapists at CSC can refine posture and movement techniques with you. Short breaks to move the neck every half hour serve all three lower neck levels, C4-C5, C5-C6 and C6-C7.

Comprehensive Non-Surgical Support for Spinal Health

The C5-C6 motion segment plays a role in neck mobility and postural stability. Changes in disc function, joint alignment or the surrounding soft tissues can influence movement and structural balance, and structured, non-invasive care addresses them.

At Chiropractic Specialty Center (CSC), targeted, non-surgical programs support spinal function and movement stability. Each plan brings chiropractic and physiotherapy together for that person's spine.

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FAQ: C5-C6 Disc, Nerve and Neck Care

Where are C5 and C6 on the spine?

C5 and C6 are the fifth and sixth of the seven neck bones, counted from the skull down. The C5-C6 joint and disc sit in the lower half of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Above is C4-C5, which serves the shoulder through the C5 root; below is C6-C7, whose C7 root runs to the middle finger.

What are the symptoms of a C5-C6 disc bulge?

Many bulges cause no symptoms; one large study found them in 87.6% of people without neck pain. When symptoms appear, they include neck or shoulder-blade pain, tingling toward the thumb and index finger, and weakness bending the elbow or lifting the wrist. In my view, that means the disc is in transition rather than a true bulge.

Which nerve does a C5-C6 disc affect?

Usually the C6 nerve root, which leaves the spine at that level. Irritation sends pain or tingling down the outer side of the arm into the thumb and index finger. The examination checks the strength of elbow and wrist movements and the reflexes at the elbow and forearm. These tell a C6 problem apart from carpal tunnel syndrome.

How serious is a C5-C6 herniated disc?

It depends on what the disc touches. A herniation that irritates the C6 root mostly affects the arm. One review found that about 83% of people recover fully within two to three years. Pressure on the spinal cord is more serious: worsening weakness, clumsy hands or an unsteady walk need a prompt medical assessment.

What is the treatment for a C5-C6 disc bulge without surgery?

At CSC, care is gentle and non-rotatory, with no twisting or cracking. It can include neck flexion-distraction or traction, physiotherapy for the deep neck muscles, and changes to screen and desk habits. Care is kept within what you can comfortably tolerate, and the possible effects and risks are explained before care begins.

Why does this joint wear faster than others in the neck?

It is one of the neck's busiest joints for bending forward and back, and in my view one of its two workhorses with C4-C5. Hours with the head pushed forward over a laptop or phone put a heavy load on it. Over time the disc, the facet joints and the muscles that span the segment all show the strain.

Can lower neck trouble cause headaches or affect the upper levels?

It can play a part. I see the neck as one chain. Trouble at the lower levels spreads upward to the middle and top of the neck and the base of the skull. The upper cervical guide explains the top joints, and the headache guide covers the other causes of head pain.

Which activities should be avoided with a C5-C6 disc problem?

Yoga must be avoided, and so must forceful neck cracks, pulls and devices such as the Ring Dinger. Long, unbroken hours with the head down at a desk or on a phone load the disc too. Short breaks to move the neck every half hour suit all three lower neck levels.

How to Read This Guide

I wrote this guide, and the first-person statements are my clinical positions, from my videos, talks and written answers, with each quoted video named. Each study is named by author and year, with full details in the reference list. The guide explains C5-C6 in general; only an examination can show what is behind a person's own symptoms.

Peer-Reviewed Medical References

• Boden SD, McCowin PR, Davis DO, Dina TS, Mark AS, Wiesel S. Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects: a prospective investigation. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1990;72(8):1178-1184.
• Carey TS, Garrett J, Jackman A, McLaughlin C, Fryer J, Smucker DR. The outcomes and costs of care for acute low back pain among patients seen by primary care practitioners, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons. N Engl J Med. 1995;333(14):913-917.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and symptoms of stroke. CDC; 2026.
• Cloward RB. The anterior approach for removal of ruptured cervical disks. J Neurosurg. 1958;15(6):602-617.
• Gore DR, Sepic SB, Gardner GM. Roentgenographic findings of the cervical spine in asymptomatic people. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1986;11(6):521-524.
• Hurwitz EL, Carragee EJ, van der Velde G, et al. Treatment of neck pain: noninvasive interventions: results of the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2008;33(4 Suppl):S123-S152.
• Kaiser JT, Reddy V, Launico MV, Lugo-Pico JG. Anatomy, head and neck: cervical vertebrae. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023.
• Margetis K, Magnus W, Mesfin FB. Cervical radiculopathy. StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
• Matsumoto M, Fujimura Y, Suzuki N, et al. MRI of cervical intervertebral discs in asymptomatic subjects. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(1):19-24.
• Mayo Clinic Staff. Spinal injury: first aid. Mayo Clinic; 2023.
• Nakashima H, Yukawa Y, Suda K, Yamagata M, Ueta T, Kato F. Abnormal findings on magnetic resonance images of the cervical spines in 1211 asymptomatic subjects. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2015;40(6):392-398.
• Wang MC, Kreuter W, Wolfla CE, Maiman DJ, Deyo RA. Trends and variations in cervical spine surgery in the United States: Medicare beneficiaries, 1992 to 2005. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009;34(9):955-961.
• Wong JJ, Côté P, Quesnele JJ, Stern PJ, Mior SA. The course and prognostic factors of symptomatic cervical disc herniation with radiculopathy: a systematic review of the literature. Spine J. 2014;14(8):1781-1789.

These peer-reviewed references cover scan findings in people without symptoms, nerve root problems and their course, neck pain care, cervical surgery and first aid. None of them examined care at Chiropractic Specialty Center.

The Author of C5-C6 Spine: Disc Bulge Symptoms, Nerves and Treatment

C5-C6 Spine: Disc Bulge Symptoms, Nerves and Treatment was written by Yama Zafer, D.C., who has 30+ years in chiropractic and physiotherapy and founded Chiropractic Specialty Center in Kuala Lumpur in 2006.

Last Updated: C5-C6 Disc Changes and Non-Invasive Neck Care

C5-C6 Disc Changes and Non-Invasive Neck Care was last reviewed and updated on October 12, 2026.