Neck pain and headaches are often closely connected and can make life a real misery for sufferers. The cause of cervicalgia headaches may be the compression of nerves or blood vessels which innervate or supply the head and neck. Pinched nerves sometimes occur due to a chronic neck condition like spinal stenosis, spondyloarthritis (spondylitis or spondylosis), or facet joint disease following whiplash injury. Read more
Patients with chronic neck pain might be wondering about the safety of exercise for arthritis in the neck and rightly so. Prior to commencing any new stretching or strengthening exercises for neck pain patients are advised to check with their physician or physical therapist to avoid exacerbating neck arthritis problems. Those with rheumatoid arthritis, for example, where atlantoaxial subluxation has occurred or is unstable may exacerbate their condition if engaging in certain movements of the neck. Some neck exercises are beneficial for stabilizing the upper neck however and provide strength and flexibility for patients with chronic neck pain from other conditions. Read more