Is Arthritis Causing Your Neck Pain?

Neck pain can occur at any age and for a variety of reasons, but the most common one is aging. Through life, the body begins to degenerate, and your spine and neck are not exempt from that. One of the most common neck pain causes is cervical spondylosis or arthritis of the neck.

In fact, according to OrthoInfo, more than 85 percent of the people over the age of 60 are affected. If you are suffering from neck pain and are not sure of the cause, here’s what you need to know about arthritis of the neck:

Cause of Cervical Spondylosis

Throughout your life, your bones and cartilage in your backbone and neck will gradually see some wear and tear. With aging, your disks can lose their height and weight, leading to bulging and dehydration — and that increase in pressure and dehydration can lead to arthritis (similar to what you’d experience in your other joints). Other than aging, there are some risk factors you should be aware of:

• Your family history plays a part
• Smoking can increase your chances
• Depression or anxiety
• A profession that requires repetitive motion and overhead work
• If you’ve experienced an injury or trauma to the neck in the past

Symptoms to Look Out For

Though symptoms aren’t definite, pain and stiffness (ranging from mild to severe) can occur. Often these symptoms are present during activities that require the use of the neck muscles and will improve with rest. Some common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Tingling, numbness, and weakness in your arms, hands, legs or feet
• Muscles spasms
• Balance and coordination issues

Treatments Options

There are a variety of treatment options available, and many of them are non-surgical. Physical therapy, pain medications, and rest can all alleviate symptoms.

If your neck pain is affecting your quality of life, Henry County Pain Management is here to help. We provide the most advanced treatments in the management of pain so we can get you back to a “normal” life.