The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm | August 11, 2025 | Spine Injuries
Here’s What You Need to Know.
The spine is a delicate structure, and the effects can be painful and long-lasting when something disrupts it. A herniated disc at C4/C5 or C5/C6 might not sound like a serious injury, but anyone who has dealt with one knows better. Herniated discs can affect everything from neck mobility to arm strength to overall comfort.
Where Are the C4/C5 and C5/C6 Discs Located?
The C4/C5 and C5/C6 discs are part of the cervical spine, which describes the upper portion of the backbone, right behind the neck. These discs act like shock absorbers between the vertebrae.
“Herniation” means that the inner part of the disc has pushed out through a tear in the outer layer. Pressure from the herniation can affect nearby nerves and cause a wide range of symptoms.
Because these discs sit so close to the spinal cord, even a small injury in this area can lead to big problems. Pain might not stay in the neck. It often radiates down the arms and into the hands. Tingling, numbness, or weakness are all signs that something is wrong.
Accidents That Often Lead to Cervical Herniated Discs
Not all neck injuries have the same timeline. Some people feel a change immediately, while others notice symptoms days or even weeks after an incident. What many don’t realize is how often everyday accidents cause herniated discs.
Low-speed traffic collisions, for example, have been linked to disc injuries, and rear-end car crashes are one of the most common causes. The sudden back-and-forth motion of the neck—also known as whiplash—can put too much strain on the cervical spine.
Cervical disc injuries are also often seen in falls because the impact from landing hard can compress the spine and damage the disc structure. The neck is unprotected in these situations, so it’s vulnerable to injury.
Physical assaults or sports injuries can also cause trauma to the neck area. Any forceful contact involving the head, neck, or shoulders has the potential to damage spinal discs, especially if the neck is twisted or compressed in the process.
Symptoms That Shouldn’t Be Ignored
A herniated disc in the neck doesn’t always scream for attention. Sometimes the pain is dull at first or feels like a pulled muscle. If symptoms start spreading down into the arms, or there’s tingling and numbness, this is a sign that nerves may be involved.
Some people lose strength in their arms or hands. Others struggle to lift everyday items or feel like their grip has weakened. Headaches at the base of the skull are also common. In more severe cases, coordination or balance can be affected, especially if the spinal cord is compressed.
Long-Term Effects of C4/C5 and C5/C6 Injuries
Herniated discs at the C4/C5 or C5/C6 level can take a long time to heal. In some cases, symptoms linger for months or become permanent. Even after treatment, some people experience chronic neck pain or limited range of motion.
Ongoing physical therapy is often needed, and some cases require injections or surgery to relieve nerve pressure. The road to recovery can involve missed work, lifestyle changes, and long-term medical costs. These injuries aren’t just physically demanding; they can be emotionally and financially exhausting, too.
Contact Our Manassas Personal Injury Lawyers at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm for Help After a Spine Injury
A herniated disc in the cervical spine affects how a person lives, works, and moves through the world. And since these injuries often start from common accidents, they’re not as rare as they should be.
Knowing what they are, how they happen, and what signs to watch for makes it easier to grasp the full scope of the damage. For more information, please contact our experienced Personal Injury attorneys at The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm to schedule a free consultation today. We have two convenient locations in Manassas, VA and Fairfax, VA.
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Manassas
9208 Lee Ave, First Floor, Manassas, VA, 20110
(571) 229-1800
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Manassas
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.7523907,-77.5566859
The Parrish Car Accident & Personal Injury Law Firm Fairfax
4000 Legato Rd #1100, Fairfax, VA, 22033
(571) 200-5424
Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Fairfax
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 38.8657713,-77.3652474