Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Aromatase Inhibitor-Induced Joint Pain

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glucosamine chondroitin osteoarthritis back pain spinal stenosis shark cartilageA new study presented at a conference last month revealed data supporting the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain and stiffness connected to osteoarthritis and aromatase inhibitors. Osteoarthritis in the neck can lead to pinched nerves, subluxation, and even spinal cord compression, causing neck pain and stiffness, as well as headaches, and even paraesthesia, numbness, and weakness in the limbs. Aromatase inhibitors may contribute to neck pain via this mechanism, but the drugs are increasingly used to improve survival times in breast cancer patients. Discussing their findings at the 8th International Conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology, researchers from Columbia University talked about the adverse effects on joint health in breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors to manage their cancer. Joint pain and stiffness experienced by these women appeared to be relieved by the concomitant use of glucosamine and chondroitin, although the symptoms remained largely unresponsive to conventional pain medication. Read more

Cannabis Neck Pain Relief – CMA Calls for Legalization

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cannabis neck pain reliefMany patients already use cannabis to relieve neck pain, despite concerns over being classed as criminals and about the safety of the unregulated drug. This could all be about to change as The California Medical Association called last month for the legalization and regulation of cannabis. Their hope is that by being the first to break ranks amongst other medical authorities a national movement will arise to reschedule cannabis and allow increased research into the efficacy and safety of the drug for conditions such as neck pain, neuropathy, multiple sclerosis, and even nausea as a side-effect of other treatments. Read more

Tendonitis Neck Pain and Curcumin

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curcumin neck painTendonitis and neck pain are frequently connected, particularly amongst computer users and checkout clerks. Rest and recuperation is the usual advice, but a common cooking spice, turmeric, and the active ingredient, curcumin might be able to give sufferers of tendonitis a helping hand. Typing, scanning barcodes, and many other aspects of people’s work use the tough, rope-like structures, tendons, which connect the muscles and bones to carry out the same movements over and over again. Tendons, whilst strong, are susceptible to injury and often become inflamed and tender through acute trauma, or from friction resulting from repetitive motion of the tendon over the muscles. Common sites of tendonitis include the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, hips, and heels and tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and Achilles tendon injuries will be familiar to many. In an ageing population where many are experiencing inflammatory illnesses, tendonitis is often connected to other arthritic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, and even diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Certain antibiotics and other drugs are also connected to an increased risk of tendonopathy. Read more

Reirradition for Head and Neck Cancer

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neck cancer hpvA new set of guidelines published by the American College of Radiology suggest that reirradiation for head and neck cancer is the only potential cure for cancer cases where further surgery is not an option. Head and neck cancer usually begins in the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck and are normally associated with smoking or chewing tobacco, and alcohol consumptions. Initial neck cancer symptoms and signs include a lump in the neck, or a sore in the mouth or nose that does not heal, a chronic sore throat, huskiness or other persistent change in the voice, and problems swallowing. Not all symptoms arise in all cases however and patients should get any potential metastatic squamous neck cancer symptoms investigated straight away. Read more

Neck Pain, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Oral Contraceptives

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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?

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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

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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 from Rheumatoid Arthritis – Subcutaneous Abatacept gets FDA Approval

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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

Shoulder Pain – NSAID Injections or Corticosteroid Injections?

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shoulder painA new study carried out by US researchers has found that NSAID injections are better than corticosteroid injections for relieving shoulder pain. A single injection of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ketorolac demonstrated superior pain-relieving qualities compared to corticosteroid injections when treating patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Read more

When to See a Chiropractor

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chiropractic for neck painChiropractors see patients for a variety of reasons including neck pain, back pain, headaches, and even carpal tunnel syndrome, but knowing when to see a chiropractor for neck pain and when diagnosis and treatment from a qualified MD is needed can prove difficult for many. In some cases, the hands-on manipulation carried out during chiropractic is simply inadequate for severe chronic neck pain, or is inappropriate if there are concerns such as spinal tumors, or infection in the spine. The important thing to note is that neck pain, back pain, and headaches should not be a normal part of our daily lives and help should be sought to address these, whether this is through a local chiropractor or other health professional. Read more