I am in the same situation. Herniated disc in neck C6-C7. Was prior Air Force and required a medical waiver for my flying status. Waiver at the time required annual evaluation with flight physical and MRI/Neurosurgeon consult to evaluate. I was able to maintain a mostly pain free experience. Learned certain triggers for it (sitting on soft couches, overhead presses, ect.) and avoided them. Flare ups lasted 3-4 days of pretty good pain and limited neck movement due to soreness and were treated with muscle relaxers. Found the pills didn’t really help and I just had to wait out the 3-4 days for it to run its process and return back to normal. Air Force gave me disability for this since it was caused by a parachute landing fall accident.

When I did my class 1 medical I didn’t want to “hide” it since I am receiving disability for it. I disclosed it and basically said I am pain free and asymptomatic which is true now 99% of the time. It was no big deal with the FAA and didn’t require any kind of special issuance medical. I think the big thing with them is are you pain free in the cockpit and can manage it without medication. The occasional flare up is handled with calling out sick so I am not dealing with that in the plane. In your case, if you are having numbness or tingling in your extremities that elevates it to a higher level and may require more on the FAA side.

Best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions. Not sure where you live but AME Dr. Tom Faulkner in ATL is a great guy and would be perfect to help you navigate through this process.