Exercise For Arthritis In The Neck
Physical therapy
If youre experiencing neck pain due to arthritis, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Physical therapy for neck arthritis entails doing specific exercises to help strengthen and stretch weak or strained muscles. Physical therapy can improve range of motion. Sessions and programs vary in length and frequency and are tailored to your condition.
The foundation of what were trying to do in physical therapy for the neck is often to help improve posture and the way people move, says Dr. Milani. Exercises in physical therapy tend to be focused on strengthening muscles of the back and neck, which puts less strain on structures of the cervical spine.
Youll do exercises during physical therapy and get instructions on ones to do at home.
Regular Physical Activity at Home
You may feel like you dont want to move when your neck hurts. But being inactive may increase stiffness, which can cause you to lose even more mobility. Aches and pains tend to respond better to continued movement than rest, says Dr. Milani. Exercise is often the foundation of treatment.
Exercises that involve stretching, strengthening, and improving range of motion can help reduce pain and keep your neck limber. You want to move gently and smoothly when doing neck exercises, not jerk your neck or make sudden movements. You may feel discomfort at first. Stop if any exercise increases your neck pain.
What Outcome Can I Expect If I Have Arthritis In My Hands
There is no cure for arthritis. However, you can usually manage mild to moderate symptoms with a combination of medication and non-medication approaches. Surgery may be an option if other treatments fail or the arthritis in your hands is severe. Your healthcare provider will explain what outcome you can expect for your type and severity of arthritis, your age, other existing medical conditions and other factors.
Which Symptoms You Should Never Ignore
Make an appointment with your rheumatologist right away if you start having neurological symptoms, like tingling, weakness, and numbness in your arms, hands, or fingers. Also call if you have muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders, trouble walking, loss of balance, headaches, and grinding or popping sounds when you move your head. If imaging tests show instability, the next step is a referral to a neurosurgeon for possible neck-fusion surgery. If you are scheduled for any other surgery prior to that procedure, Dr. Bhatt recommends you contact your rheumatologist so he can consult with that team. The way your neck is moved during anesthesia can damage an RA-affected joint.
You May Like: How Do I Know If I Have Hip Arthritis
What Causes Ra In The Neck
The causes of rheumatoid arthritis in the neck are the same as the causes of RA in any other joint. In people with RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints in the same way it would normally fight viruses or bacteria. The bodys defenders attack the joints tissues, as well as the synovial membrane lining the joints which has a lubricating function. This attack causes inflammation, erodes cartilage and bone, and weakens the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The damage and inflammation, in turn, lead to the symptoms of RA.
What Are Risk Factors Of Osteoarthritis
- Age. As discussed, aging plays a large role due to the inevitable decline in muscle strength and the rate of turnover of bone.
- Sex. Women are more prone to develop certain types of osteoarthritis such as in the hip and knee, but men tend to be more prone to developing the condition in the cervical region.
- Obesity. The added weight places increased stress on the joint spaces, leading to accelerated degeneration. This also seems to hold true for osteoarthritis of the neck, although the association is not as strong as that with the hip or knees. Obese individuals were also more likely to report more severe pain and disability.
You May Like: Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Arthritis
Are There Any Other Treatment Options Being Investigated
For osteoarthritis, some clinical research trials are underway in the U.S. exploring stem cell treatment. Early findings are encouraging. Stem cell therapy so far has shown to provide some pain relief and improvement in function. The ultimate goal would hopefully be to use stem cells to regrow cartilage.
Over the past decade, researchers developed many new medications for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, with more studies underway.
What Can I Do To Relieve Neck Pain At Home
Your doctor or physical therapist can recommend steps you can take at home to relieve neck pain. These may include:
- Using heat or ice packs.
- Doing gentle stretches or exercises.
- Taking over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain and inflammation such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
- Resting.
Long-term strategies to reduce neck pain include:
- Quit smoking. Smoking damages bone structure and slows healing.
- Lose weight if you are obese.
- Reduce your stress level. Walk, meditate, get a massage, try a yoga class, exercise.
- Do exercises that strengthen your neck and shoulder muscles.
Recommended Reading: Does Dairy Cause Arthritis Pain
When A Back Or Neck Ache Means You Have Oa
Maybe you overdid it cleaning the house or sprucing up your garden this weekend. Or youre using a hot or cold pack on your lower back more often over the past few months. Does the pain come and go or seem to be getting worse? Then, it might be time ask your doctor if you have osteoarthritis in your spine .
As you age, the cartilage lining the joints of your spine wears down, allowing the bones to rub together, causing back pain and stiffness. Other causes of spinal OA include injury, infection, obesity, or repeated stress . Youre also more likely to develop back pain related to osteoarthritis if a close relative had it. OA can form in any part of your spine and is sometimes called spondylosis.
But how do you know the difference between run of the mill back pain and osteoarthritis?
Neck Arthritis Treatment: Medical Intervention
In cases of neck arthritis where symptoms do not improve with natural treatments, non-natural, medical intervention, may be necessary.
Steroid-Based Injections
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a steroid-based injection, which is a mix of corticosteroids and a local anesthetic.
These injections are used to reduce inflammation in the spinal canal and reduce symptoms of neck arthritis.
Surgery
Your doctor may determine that you need surgery for your neck arthritis if:
Patients who have neurologic symptoms, like arm weakness, numbness, or falling, are more likely to see symptoms improve after having surgery.
Also Check: Does Vicks Vapor Rub Help With Arthritis
How Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Affect The Cervical Spine
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic, autoimmune disease in which the immune system, which is designed to attack foreign bodies like bacteria and viruses, mistakenly attacks other healthy areas of the body, including the spines facet joints and even organ systems. Untreated, attacked joints can become deformed and lose their mobility.
When it comes to spine pain, a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis is limited to the cervical spine. People can have problems, such as facet joint arthritis, further down the spine, but this is likely not due to RA. It is possible to have both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis at the same time.
If you have RA, you are part of a group of 1.3 million other Americans who have the disease.1 The disease causes morning joint stiffness that can last one to two hours or the whole day. It generally improves with movement of the joints. Other signs and symptoms include loss of energy, low fevers, loss of appetite, and lumps in the elbows and hands, called rheumatoid nodules. About 75% of RA patients are women, but cervical spine involvement is more common in male patients and those with a positive rheumatoid factor.
When rheumatoid arthritis loosens ligaments, erodes bone or causes thickened tissue around the atlantoaxial joint, it can compress the spinal cord and brain stem, which can lead to paralysis or even death if the neck is moved in certain positions. Fortunately, there are many treatments to avoid these outcomes.
What Causes Arthritis In The Neck
Arthritis in the Neck , sometimes called cervical facet joint syndrome, is a degenerative condition that causes pain and stiffness in the neck , region of the spine. The cervical spine includes the top seven vertebrae of the spine. There are two facet joints on either side of the back of each vertebra in the neck. These joints provide stability, while also enabling neck movements such as turning or nodding the head.
Cartilage lines each facet joint in the neck, and this cartilage is surrounded by a capsule filled with synovial fluid. This synovial fluid helps lubricate the facet joint, enabling smooth movements of the joint complex. In arthritis in the neck , this cartilage begins to degenerate, or break down. The cartilage begins to thin and can sometimes, in acute cases, even disappear completely, causing bone-on-bone friction of the facet joints in the neck, and this is what leads to the development of osteophytes, or bone spurs., ,
If these osteophytes impinge on any cervical nerve roots, pain, weakness, or tingling may radiate along the path of the nerve into the arm and hand. Cervical osteoarthritis can cause pain in the neck and upper back as well as the shoulders and between the shoulder blades. In some cases it can also result in headaches, a form of radiated or referred pain, especially in the back of the head.
Recommended Reading: What’s The Difference In Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis
What You Need To Know
- Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the spine.
- Arthritis can occur anywhere along the spine but is more frequent in the lower back and neck.
- Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of spinal arthritis.
- Causes of spinal arthritis are still largely unknown except for osteoarthritis, which is typically a result of wear and tear.
- Spinal arthritis treatment may include pain medications, steroid injections, physical therapy and surgery in severe cases.
Other Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment Options
Patients can also relieve joint stiffness with low impact exercises like swimming, walking or cycling, Dr. Chi said. I generally prefer low impact, Dr. Chi stated. The more force you apply to the joints, the more damage you could do to the cartilage.
Spinal surgery may be a treatment as well. The most important indications for cervical spine surgery when rheumatoid arthritis is involved are resistant pain, neurologic deficits and/or a need to stabilize the upper cervical spine to prevent spinal cord damage.
References1. Freeman J. RA Facts: What are the Latest Statistics on Rheumatoid Arthritis? Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Network. October 27, 2018. https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/facts-and-statistics/. Accessed June 27, 2019.
2. Duarie-Garcia A. Rheumatoid Arthritis. How is rheumatoid arthritis treated? Updated March 2019. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Rheumatoid-Arthritis. Accessed June 25, 2019.
Scher JU, Malik F, Manasson J. Using the Microbiome to Aid Psoriatic & Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnostics & Therapeutics. Rheumatology 2018 Year in Review. https://nyulangone.org/news/using-microbiome-aid-psoriatic-rheumatoid-arthritis-diagnostics-therapeutics. Accessed June 27, 2019.
Read Also: How To Cure Arthritis In Lower Back
Can My Headaches Be Caused By Arthritis In My Neck Some Non
Lots of people get headaches every now and again. Your cervical vertebrae, located at the top of your spine, support the weight of your head on a delicate column. If you have osteoarthritis that impacts the vertebrae at the top of your spine, your headaches could actually be related to this larger condition, called cervicogenic headaches. With treatment, you can address your arthritis symptoms and headaches.
The experienced care team at Spine & Joint Physicians of Frisco, led by S. Justin Badiyan, MD, can diagnose the real cause of your neck pain and help you put together a useful, noninvasive treatment plan. With the right support, including minimally invasive procedures, non-opioid medications, and physical therapy, you may be able to solve the issue without needing to resort to surgical treatment.
Heres what we think you should know about the connection between headache pain and arthritis in your neck.
Neck Arthritis Treatment: Conservative
Conservative and natural care helps many neck arthritis sufferers control their pain and slow the progression of the disease. Examples of natural treatments are:
- Activity modification stretching before certain exercises and activities, and participating for shorter periods of time
- Yoga relieves neck tension and stress by reducing tension
- Herbal remedies turmeric, for example, is considered an anti-inflammatory and may help reduce neck pain related to arthritis.
- Physical therapy therapists help patients learn exercises that improve posture and strengthen the neck
- Pain relievers naproxen and ibuprofen help relieve inflammation and alleviate pain
- Warm baths these can soothe achy joints and relax your muscles
- Ice therapy ice is known to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain
- Massage this may provide temporary relief
Read Also: Does Epsom Salt Help Arthritis
Arthritis In The Neck Causes
If neck pain is caused by arthritis in the neck then the likelihood is that the joint linings themselves are irritated or worn, causing inflammation and pain. Stretched ligaments can also contribute to this neck pain, particularly if the body tries to compensate for a loss of flexibility by altering posture and straining other muscles.
Occasionally one or more nerves are trapped or damaged by the narrowing of spaces in the spine. It is also possible that this spinal stenosis is causing ischaemia to the tissues in the cervical spine also, which will interrupt nutrient and oxygen supplies and further exacerbate any damage. Inflammation in the joints can cause this to happen, as can osteophyte growth, making anti-inflammatories a likely course of therapy.
Risk Factors And Symptoms
Getting older is the most common risk factor for neck arthritis. Others include genetics, an occupation that requires repetitive neck movement or reaching overhead, smoking, having depression or anxiety, and experiencing a previous neck injury.
While cervical spondylosis is very common in middle age and beyond, most people do not experience any symptoms. Those who do have issues often feel pain and stiffness along with headaches and/or a grinding or popping sensation when turning the neck. Other problems may include numbness or weakness in the fingers, hands, and arms, loss of balance or weakness in the legs or hands, and/or neck and shoulder muscle spasms.
Also Check: Is Tens Good For Arthritis
Cervical Spondylosis Diagnosis And Treatment
To diagnose cervical spondylosis, your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and perform a physical exam. You may also need to undergo imaging studies, such as X-rays or an MRI , so that your doctor can view the vertebrae, disks, and ligaments of the neck and look for any abnormalities, such as bone spurs, that may be contributing to your symptoms.
Treatment options for cervical spondylosis include:
- Limiting neck movement, which may mean wearing a cervical collar
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or other pain medication to help relieve your pain and swelling
- Physical therapy
- Fever
Can Arthritis In The Hand Be Prevented
Arthritis cant be prevented. However, you can watch for symptoms of arthritis as you age and see your healthcare provider if you notice changes in your joints. You can also take steps to control factors that you can control. Eat healthy to nourish your body and maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts more stress on your joints. Dont smoke. Smoking increases your risk of arthritis.
Don’t Miss: Are Eggs Bad For Psoriatic Arthritis
How To Avoid Neck Strain During Sex And Sleep
The natural pain-killing powers of an endorphin rush during sex can actually help your RA. But while youre temporarily feeling less pain, you might push your body past its boundaries. To prevent hyperextending your neck during sex, try to resist the tendency to throw your head forward or back during orgasm. Youâll also want to invest in a good pillow. The right type of pillowask your physical or occupational therapist for a recommendationcan also prevent morning neck stiffness after a good nights rest.
You May Like: Is Biofreeze Good For Arthritis
What Are The Signs Of Neck Arthritis
Pain is the most obvious symptom of a disk problem in the neck, yet the degree of damage has little to do with how much it hurts.
You can have 100 people with the same amount of degenerative changes in their cervical spine, and only a small percentage have neck pain, says Dr. Mroz. Among those who do experience neck pain, the discomfort is usually short-lived, improving on its own within six to 12 weeks.
Sometimes, cervical arthritis narrows the space where nerve roots exit the spine, pinching the nerve. You can feel this as a radiating pain down your arm, or as numbness and weakness in your arm and hand. If a collapsed disk or a bone spur pushes into the spinal cord and causes compression, it can produce more serious symptoms
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Arthritis In Your Back
Treatment For Arthritis In The Neck
There is a Natural Treatment for Arthritis in the Neck that will help you not only relieve your neck pain and gain greater neck mobility but also improve your neck arthritis and heal your cervical spine. Neck pain is a tricky thing that usually takes a few weeks to feel completely better. Using the recommended treatment for neck pain can get you feeling better in a fraction of the time it usually takes to be neck pain free.
Learn to Stretch you neck when you get a flare and help stop the pain in its tracks. When you strengthen and balance the muscles in your neck you will take a lot of pressure off of your spinal column and allow your neck to sit in its properly balanced location. Use these natural arthritis neck treatment options to relieve the pressure off your neck, clean up the damage in your discs and joints and begin healing the cartilage, discs and pinched nerves if you have any:
Go at your own bodys pace and you will be helping others, because they will be asking what it is that you did to recover. Be sure to check out the Healthy Back and Neck Institutes tips for eliminating neck pain at home quickly and easily by visiting Lose the Neck Pain.