Living with osteoarthritis is downright distressing. It can stop you from enjoying things you like or being your best at work or in school. In most cases, osteoarthritis affects the arms, legs, knees, and other heavily used parts of the body. However, sometimes, it can impact even the cervical spine or neck. When this happens, expect yourself to deal with upper neck pain, which doctors refer to as cervical spondylosis.
Upper cervical chiropractors help many patients with chronic upper neck pain. Some patients are still young, while some belong to the aging population. If you also experience recurring neck pain due to osteoarthritis, this guide can provide you with the information you need to cope better.
Table of Contents
Cervical osteoarthritis is a widespread problem among seniors. In fact, the latest statistics reveal that about 85 percent of people who reach 60 years and above have this type of osteoarthritis. Disc degeneration and the abnormal overgrowth of bone spurs are mainly to blame for cervical osteoarthritis. It can narrow the spaces within the spinal column, compressing and irritating the spinal cord and hurting the surrounding nerves and muscles.
On the one hand, cervical osteoarthritis can also develop in younger individuals, especially those with a record of head or neck injury due to a car or sports accident. When the upper neck bones—the C1 and C2—get misaligned, they can impinge on nearby muscles and nerves. This results in pain that persists even after taking pain medication.
Besides causing upper neck pain, cervical spondylosis can also trigger other issues, such as:
If you suspect having cervical osteoarthritis, we suggest consulting with a GP. This way, you can get complete guidance and referral to the right specialist or upper cervical chiropractor.
Besides osteoarthritis in the neck, your aching problem can also stem from other conditions. Getting as much information as possible about your neck pain’s root cause is the key to finding a remedy that works. Here are other potential reasons behind your neck pain:
When the intervertebral discs degrade over time, they become less efficient in preventing excessive friction between the bones. Similar to cervical osteoarthritis, disc degeneration disease also affects aging people.
About 500,000 individuals get diagnosed with spinal stenosis in the USA each year. A spinal condition that narrows the vertebral canal, spinal stenosis makes the spinal nerve more prone to irritation or compression. It can also affect the communication between the brain and the nerves.
Neck pain, leg or arm muscle weakness, and bladder incontinence are signs of spinal stenosis. We recommend looking out for these symptoms and coordinating with your doctor to get an official diagnosis.
Thousands to millions of Americans get diagnosed with fibromyalgia each year. It causes uncontrollable muscle spasms, widespread body pain, chronic fatigue, brain fog, vertigo, migraines, upper neck pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Recently, upper cervical chiropractors across the country have seen increased patient visits due to upper neck pain from remote working. Unfortunately, while this new work arrangement provides employees more time to spend with their loved ones, it increases risks for painful disorders and problems, such as neck pain.
Most doctors and chiropractors point to poor posture as the main culprit behind the issue. That’s because it pushes employees to settle for non-ergonomic workspaces. The new working situation has also caused professionals to go beyond their usual work hours, limiting their time to be physically active.
Most of the patients who seek upper cervical chiropractic adjustments have a history of neck trauma or injury. While they have already recovered from their injuries, they still experience lingering neck pain, indicating that they suffered from cervical subluxation.
Case studies reveal that most chronic neck pain stems from misaligned upper neck bones or the C1 and C2. Additional research also shows that the discomfort only disappears after restoring the cervical spine’s neutral curvature.
Dealing with constant neck pain can be challenging, especially if you’re always busy running errands. Whether it stems from cervical osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or other related health concerns, it might help to seek the assistance of your upper cervical doctor.
With the precise and gentle chiropractic adjustments from your upper cervical doctor, you can restore your cervical spine to its best condition. And as we have discussed, this increases your chances of finally getting rid of your neck ache and its accompanying symptoms.
Several case studies continue to prove the pivotal role of upper cervical chiropractic in providing relief to patients with chronic neck pain. It works for young people, working adults, and even seniors.
If your previous remedies failed to provide you with the results you hoped for, you should give upper cervical care a try. It’s a holistic approach to healing that can forever redefine how you can cope with chronic and recurring upper neck pain.
Call an upper cervical chiropractic doctor in your city to book your first consultation today!
to schedule a consultation today.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
