Neck pain is literally and figuratively a pain in the neck. When your neck hurts chronically, it can be difficult to go about your daily life as usual, detracting from everyday activities and affecting your mood.
While arthritis isn’t the only cause of neck pain, it’s definitely a common one. And the longer symptoms linger without treatment, the more likely you’ll be to experience worse pain and potential complications.
The expert medical team at Johnson Medical Center in Venice, Florida, diagnoses and provides a range of integrative treatments for neck pain, including symptoms related to arthritis. Keep reading to learn more about neck pain and arthritis, as well as ways we can help.
Neck arthritis symptoms
Chronic neck pain can have a range of causes, from acute injuries to infections and disease. Very often, though, neck pain coincides with the aging process. Just like the rest of your body, wear and tear from continued use over time can impact the bones and joints in your neck, leading to pain and inflammation. The technical names for this type of arthritis are cervical spondylosis and cervical osteoarthritis. It affects more than 85% of people over age 60.
Neck pain can also stem from rheumatoid arthritis, which causes your immune system to mistakenly attack the lining of your joints. While rheumatoid arthritis typically starts in smaller joints, such as those in your hands and feet, it can spread over time and eventually impact your neck.
In addition to neck pain, these forms of arthritis may cause additional symptoms such as:
- Balance problems
- Difficulty walking normally
- Dull or throbbing aches around the base of your skull
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms in your neck and shoulders
- Neck swelling
- Neck stiffness
Neck pain diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis for your neck pain starts with a thorough physical exam, during which our team goes over your medical history and symptoms. They may also run imaging tests, such as an X-ray, to get a better look at your cervical spine’s structure.
If you’re diagnosed with neck pain caused by arthritis, your treatment will be customized with your individual needs in mind. That treatment plan may include:
- Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving medications
- Chiropractic care
- Ice or heat therapy
- Laser therapy
- Lifestyle changes, such as approved exercise
- Physical therapy
- Regenerative medicine, such as PRP therapy
- Steroid injections
To learn more about neck pain or get the arthritis care you need, call our office or request an appointment online today. We would love to help you get back to greater comfort, so you can live life more fully.