Medicine describes arthritis in the neck with very many names. Doctors refer to this condition as cervical spondylosis or degenerative disk disease. Despite all these names very few people know the nature of this disease.
That is why it is important for people to know arthritis in the neck very well, so that they can be able to properly treat it.
arthritis and especially in the neck, has a lot of causes. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the doctors to explain to their patients exactly what made them acquire the disease. However, doctors are the best people to advise you whenever the disease strikes.
The anatomical structure of the neck can be considered to be very complex. There are 7 bones found in the neck and they called cervical vertebrae.
The reason why we cannot experience bone to bone scraping when we move is because of the cartilage that exists between the bones.
Nerve endings are connected throughout the seven bones to enhance a sense of cohesive communication between the neck and the rest of the body.
While these many components that make up the neck’s strength and structure to be durable, they are not indestructible.
That is why they can be prone to wear and tear and hence the unfortunate development of neck arthritis which is dangerous.
Do not however assume that this makes the treatment for arthritis in the neck impossible. It is also not true that the only way to treat neck arthritis is through surgery. Physical rehab can also work out well and help reduce arthritis neck pain.
Apart from such unbearable pains, neck arthritis patients also experience stiffness around the neck region. The characteristic of the neck being stiff is when the person cannot be able to bend or turn their necks and heads from one side to another.
Since neck arthritis affects the shoulders, it is common for the pain in the shoulders to extend and affect the arms. The arms become painful, weak, clumsy and numb. The numbness and pain in the arm is caused by neck arthritis.
Unfortunately the pain doesn’t end in the arms. More often than not it extends down to the legs. The legs receive the same pain the neck is also receiving. A decreased level of sensation and vibration will be experienced around the leg and foot area whenever the disease attacks.
Another symptom of arthritis in the neck would be problems with urination. There are instances that the patients suffering from arthritis urinate a little too often than they used to. Some on the other hand, have the need to urinate immediately. Urinary incontinence is prone with patients who are suffering from neck arthritis.
· Changes in the cervical spine- neck arthritis is commonly caused by changes in the person’s cervical spine. Biologically, a person’s body changes a lot of things as he ages. Thus the reason why instances of arthritis pain in the neck is very common to elderly people.
· Calcium buildup- the buildup of calcium in the body and bony growths can also be the cause of the neck arthritis.
· Changes in a person’s body- when a person’s body changes, more particularly the above named areas, certain nerves are affected. The nerves can be affected by being inflamed, compressed or pinched.
These are the reasons why the symptoms of neck arthritis come up. With affected nerves, it also becomes difficult for the blood to flow.
If mere treatment is not enough, there might be a need to go for surgery. Usually, surgery will obviously become an option for patients who have experienced long term or unbearable neck pains. However, doctors can also suggest for surgery in case there are notable neurological deficits.
The characteristics of neurological deficits can be difficulties in walking, total weakness of the hands and problems in the bladder. Any determined compression found in the spinal cord is also enough reason to perform surgery.
Exercise can also help your neck to feel better. Do not do exercises until you consult with your physician or physical therapist. If possible, before undergoing any exercise apply moist heat to the neck for five minutes before doing these exercises. This will help to loosen the muscles up.
2. While standing straight up, slowly lower your chin to your chest. Hold this position as you count to ten then slowly raise your head up and look at the skies. Do not force this, if it hurts you need to stop it and try another time. Repeat the same style severally till you feel your neck is flexible and relieved.
3. Stand up straight. Bend your head slowly to the side as you bring your right ear to your right shoulder. Hold and count to five then return to a neutral position. Repeat the same motion severally.
That is why it is important for people to know arthritis in the neck very well, so that they can be able to properly treat it.
arthritis and especially in the neck, has a lot of causes. Sometimes it becomes difficult for the doctors to explain to their patients exactly what made them acquire the disease. However, doctors are the best people to advise you whenever the disease strikes.
Why arthritis in the neck develop?
The reason why we cannot experience bone to bone scraping when we move is because of the cartilage that exists between the bones.
Nerve endings are connected throughout the seven bones to enhance a sense of cohesive communication between the neck and the rest of the body.
While these many components that make up the neck’s strength and structure to be durable, they are not indestructible.
That is why they can be prone to wear and tear and hence the unfortunate development of neck arthritis which is dangerous.
Do not however assume that this makes the treatment for arthritis in the neck impossible. It is also not true that the only way to treat neck arthritis is through surgery. Physical rehab can also work out well and help reduce arthritis neck pain.
The symptoms of neck arthritis
People suffering from severe neck and shoulder pains are prone to have neck arthritis. This is because neck arthritis targets such body parts. Although such pains are concentrated around the neck and the shoulders, it is also possible to suffer from episodes of headaches.Apart from such unbearable pains, neck arthritis patients also experience stiffness around the neck region. The characteristic of the neck being stiff is when the person cannot be able to bend or turn their necks and heads from one side to another.
Since neck arthritis affects the shoulders, it is common for the pain in the shoulders to extend and affect the arms. The arms become painful, weak, clumsy and numb. The numbness and pain in the arm is caused by neck arthritis.
Unfortunately the pain doesn’t end in the arms. More often than not it extends down to the legs. The legs receive the same pain the neck is also receiving. A decreased level of sensation and vibration will be experienced around the leg and foot area whenever the disease attacks.
Another symptom of arthritis in the neck would be problems with urination. There are instances that the patients suffering from arthritis urinate a little too often than they used to. Some on the other hand, have the need to urinate immediately. Urinary incontinence is prone with patients who are suffering from neck arthritis.
The Causes of Neck Arthritis
· Calcium buildup- the buildup of calcium in the body and bony growths can also be the cause of the neck arthritis.
· Changes in a person’s body- when a person’s body changes, more particularly the above named areas, certain nerves are affected. The nerves can be affected by being inflamed, compressed or pinched.
These are the reasons why the symptoms of neck arthritis come up. With affected nerves, it also becomes difficult for the blood to flow.
Watch how to relief neck arthritis pain
Treating Neck Arthritis
The primary way to treat arthritis in the neck, is to restrict the movement of the neck. To do this, a cervical collar may be used. On the other hand some cases that are serious will require the use of a brace. The brace is fitted around the neck and helps the patient to curb with the pain.If mere treatment is not enough, there might be a need to go for surgery. Usually, surgery will obviously become an option for patients who have experienced long term or unbearable neck pains. However, doctors can also suggest for surgery in case there are notable neurological deficits.
The characteristics of neurological deficits can be difficulties in walking, total weakness of the hands and problems in the bladder. Any determined compression found in the spinal cord is also enough reason to perform surgery.
Exercise can also help your neck to feel better. Do not do exercises until you consult with your physician or physical therapist. If possible, before undergoing any exercise apply moist heat to the neck for five minutes before doing these exercises. This will help to loosen the muscles up.
The following exercises can help you lower arthritis neck pain.
1. Stand up straight. Slowly turn your head as far as possible then slowly to the right. While turning your head, count slowly at a heart beat rate up to seven. That’s about the right cadence for this exercise. Hold this position for five count then return slowly to neutral position.2. While standing straight up, slowly lower your chin to your chest. Hold this position as you count to ten then slowly raise your head up and look at the skies. Do not force this, if it hurts you need to stop it and try another time. Repeat the same style severally till you feel your neck is flexible and relieved.
3. Stand up straight. Bend your head slowly to the side as you bring your right ear to your right shoulder. Hold and count to five then return to a neutral position. Repeat the same motion severally.