Neck Pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Oral Contraceptives

oral contraceptives neck pain rheumatoid arthritisA study published this summer in the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism looking at the use of oral contraceptives and improvements in Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms adds to the evidence suggesting a connection between female hormones and this possible cause of neck pain. Around two-thirds of RA patients suffer from problems in the cervical spine, with the thoracic and lumbar spine usually less affected. Researchers at the University of Manchester in England used data from women with recent onset of inflammatory polyarthritis and assessed the number who had and had not used oral contraceptives since the diagnosis. Read more

Neck Pain Awareness – Can Spinal Health Month Help?

Chronic Neck PainOctober is Spinal Health Month and recent statistics show that neck pain is a significant contributor to a growing pain problem affecting millions of people each year. In a National Center of Health Statistics survey low back pain was the most common pain reported (27%) with neck pain suffered by 15% of people, the same percentage who experience severe headaches or migraine. Facial ache or pain was another common finding with 4% of people experiencing this phenomenon that is sometimes connected to cervical spinal problems. Read more

Cyclobenzaprine may Help Neck Pain from Fibromyalgia

Flexeril for fibromyalgia

Could low-dose Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) be approved for use in fibromyalgia?

A study published in The Journal of Rheumatology last month looked at the effects of cyclobenzaprine for fibromyalgia, a cause of neck pain in some patients. This drug, a muscle relaxant, is already widely used ‘off-label’ by fibromyalgia sufferers. Although this study is relatively small, with just eighteen patients treated, it does appear to show that cyclobenzaprine is safe and effective for the condition which causes fatigue, muscle tenderness and pain, and cognitive symptoms in patients. Read more

Neck Pain and Dizziness

neck pain dizziness vertigoNeck pain and dizziness are often connected although many people simply consider themselves to be clumsy, to suffer lightheadedness, or have a poor sense of balance. Cervicogenic dizziness may also be associated with headaches and nausea and can be suggestive of pinched nerves in the neck, cervical spinal stenosis, or even infection. Dizziness with neck pain may be fleeting and mild, with patients realizing that sudden neck movements or certain positions bring about the dizzy spells and neck pain. In other cases the pain can be severe and the dizziness extremely debilitating as it may induce considerable fear of falling, disabling nausea, and/or loss of motor skills. Where a patient has neck pain and feels off balance they may be described as having cervical vertigo and have often experienced some kind of trauma to the neck, such as whiplash or a previous fall. Read more

Neck Pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis – Subcutaneous Abatacept gets FDA Approval

abatacept neck pain rheumatoid arthritis fda approvalSevere neck pain can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis and so the approval by the FDA of subcutaneous abatacept will be welcome news for those suffering from chronic neck pain related to the autoimmune disease. Along with neck pain and more widespread joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis can cause extreme fatigue, fever, and even lead to spinal stenosis from degeneration of the joints in the spine. In extreme cases, particularly where a patient with rheumatoid arthritis has also experienced whiplash, the disease which involves the immune system erroneously attacking the body’s own joint tissue, can lead to spinal cord compression from changes in the position of the spine. Read more

Meningitis and College Students

meningitis freshmenSeptember is nigh and for college freshmen thoughts turn to school and the upcoming move into a dorm. Headaches and neck pain from meningitis are likely the last thing on a new student’s mind but an increasing number of US colleges require proof of meningitis vaccination for those planning to live on campus, or, at some colleges, for all students. College freshmen are at an increased risk of bacterial meningitis compared to their peers, presumably due to the close quarters in which they live and the lifestyle changes accompanying college life which can compromise immunity (such as diet, alcohol and drug consumption, and altered sleep patterns). Read more

Cervicalgia Headaches – Neck Pain and Head Aches

neck pain headache cervicalgiaNeck 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

Neck Arthritis Exercises

Pinched Nerve Neck Exercises
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

Bone Spurs in the Neck

Bone Spurs in NeckBone spurs in the neck (osteophytes) are bony growths that can be responsible for neck pain and back pain.  These bone spurs may occur following a fracture of the vertebrae, due to rheumatoid arthritis, ligament degeneration, whiplash, or through general wear and tear resulting in spondylitis.  Read more

Fibromyalgia and Neck Pain

fibromyalgia

What is Fibromyalgia?

Neck pain is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, with trigger points clustered around the base of the neck and in the shoulders.  Those suffering from fibromyalgia and neck pain may then assume that any neck pain is simply part of their overall condition when, in fact, it can be due to myriad problems including cervical spinal stenosis, temporomandibular joint syndrome, Read more